Malachi 2:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for [one] covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"For I hate divorce," says ADONAI the God of Isra'el, "and him who covers his clothing with violence," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and don't break faith.

Berean Standard Bible:

“For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.

American Standard Version:

For I hate putting away, saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, and him that covereth his garment with violence, saith Jehovah of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For the LORD^{H3068}, the God^{H430} of Israel^{H3478}, saith^{H559} that he hateth^{H8130} putting away^{H7971}: for one covereth^{H3680} violence^{H2555} with his garment^{H3830}, saith^{H559} the LORD^{H3068} of hosts^{H6635}: therefore take heed^{H8104} to your spirit^{H7307}, that ye deal not treacherously^{H898}.

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Commentary for Malachi 2:16

Malachi 2:16 is part of the prophetic book of Malachi, which is the last book of the Old Testament in the Christian Bible and is found among the Twelve Minor Prophets in the Hebrew Bible. This verse reflects a time of spiritual laxity among the Israelites, particularly the priests, who had returned from exile in Babylon and had been rebuilding the Temple and their community.

The verse addresses the issue of divorce, which was prevalent in the post-exilic community. The phrase "putting away" refers to the practice of men divorcing their wives, which had become commonplace and was often done without just cause. The text indicates that God despises such casual dismissal of the marriage covenant. The reference to covering "violence with his garment" suggests that the act of divorce was not only a breach of the marital bond but could also be a form of violence or injustice against the wife, who was often left vulnerable and without protection in that society.

Moreover, the verse warns against treachery, implying that unjust divorces were not only acts of personal betrayal but also violations of the covenantal faithfulness that God expects from His people. The call to "take heed to your spirit" is an admonition for individuals to be mindful of their moral and spiritual integrity, to ensure that their actions align with God's law and will.

In summary, Malachi 2:16 speaks against the casual practice of divorce among the Israelites, emphasizing God's displeasure with such actions. It highlights the injustice that divorce could inflict upon women and calls for a spirit of faithfulness and integrity among the people, urging them to live in a way that honors their covenant with God. This verse reflects broader themes in the prophetic literature of the Bible, which often calls for social justice and personal righteousness as expressions of true worship and obedience to God.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
2. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3478
   There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
   Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
   Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
   Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.
   
4. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8130
   There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׂנֵא
   Transliteration: sânêʼ
   Pronunciation: saw-nay'
   Description: a primitive root; to hate (personally); enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r), odious, [idiom] utterly.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7971
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלַח
   Transliteration: shâlach
   Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).
   
7. Strong's Number: H3680
   There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּסָה
   Transliteration: kâçâh
   Pronunciation: kaw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy); clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare כָּשָׂה.
   
8. Strong's Number: H2555
   There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָמָס
   Transliteration: châmâç
   Pronunciation: khaw-mawce'
   Description: from חָמַס; violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain; cruel(-ty), damage, false, injustice, [idiom] oppressor, unrighteous, violence (against, done), violent (dealing), wrong.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3830
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לְבוּשׁ
   Transliteration: lᵉbûwsh
   Pronunciation: leb-oosh'
   Description: or לְבֻשׁ; from לָבַשׁ; a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife; apparel, clothed with, clothing, garment, raiment, vestment, vesture.
   
10. Strong's Number: H6635
    There are 463 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צָבָא
    Transliteration: tsâbâʼ
    Pronunciation: tsaw-baw'
    Description: or (feminine) צְבָאָה; from צָבָא; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship); appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare).
    
11. Strong's Number: H8104
    There are 440 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁמַר
    Transliteration: shâmar
    Pronunciation: shaw-mar'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.; beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).
    
12. Strong's Number: H7307
    There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רוּחַ
    Transliteration: rûwach
    Pronunciation: roo'-akh
    Description: from רוּחַ; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions); air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y).
    
13. Strong's Number: H898
    There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בָּגַד
    Transliteration: bâgad
    Pronunciation: baw-gad'
    Description: a primitive root; to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage; deal deceitfully (treacherously, unfaithfully), offend, transgress(-or), (depart), treacherous (dealer, -ly, man), unfaithful(-ly, man), [idiom] very.