Malachi 4:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But to you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will break out leaping, like calves released from the stall.

Berean Standard Bible:

“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall.

American Standard Version:

But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But unto you that fear^{H3373} my name^{H8034} shall the Sun^{H8121} of righteousness^{H6666} arise^{H2224} with healing^{H4832} in his wings^{H3671}; and ye shall go forth^{H3318}, and grow up^{H6335} as calves^{H5695} of the stall^{H4770}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Malachi 4:2

Malachi 4:2 is the concluding verse of the Old Testament in most Christian Bibles, and it encapsulates a powerful message of hope and restoration for the people of Israel. The historical context of this verse is set during the post-exilic period, after the Israelites had returned from Babylonian captivity and were struggling to rebuild their nation and their relationship with God. The themes present in this verse reflect the culmination of prophetic promises found throughout the Old Testament.

The "Sun of righteousness" is a messianic title, symbolizing a new dawn of divine justice and righteousness that will come with the advent of the Messiah. This imagery suggests that, for those who revere and respect God's name—implying a life lived in obedience and reverence to God—there will be a future time of spiritual renewal and healing. The "healing in his wings" speaks to the restoration and redemption that the Messiah will bring, both spiritually and physically, suggesting that the Messiah's influence will have a far-reaching and nurturing effect, much like the warmth and light of the sun that are essential for growth and healing.

The metaphor of God's people "growing up as calves of the stall" conveys the idea of freedom, strength, and vitality. Just as calves are vigorous and full of life when released from the confines of their stalls, the people of God will experience a rejuvenation of their spirits and a newfound freedom in their worship and service to God. This verse thus concludes the Old Testament on a note of expectancy and hope, pointing towards the coming Messiah who will bring about a transformative era of righteousness, healing, and spiritual prosperity. For the Christian audience, this verse also prefigures the coming of Jesus Christ, whom they believe to be the fulfillment of this prophetic promise.

*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: H3373
   There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרֵא
   Transliteration: yârêʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-ray'
   Description: from יָרֵא; fearing; morally, reverent; afraid, fear (-ful).
   
2. Strong's Number: H8034
   There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁם
   Transliteration: shêm
   Pronunciation: shame
   Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
   
3. Strong's Number: H8121
   There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֶׁמֶשׁ
   Transliteration: shemesh
   Pronunciation: sheh'-mesh
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched battlement; [phrase] east side(-ward), sun (rising), [phrase] west(-ward), window. See also בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6666
   There are 150 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צְדָקָה
   Transliteration: tsᵉdâqâh
   Pronunciation: tsed-aw-kaw'
   Description: from צָדַק; rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity); justice, moderately, right(-eous) (act, -ly, -ness).
   
5. Strong's Number: H2224
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זָרַח
   Transliteration: zârach
   Pronunciation: zaw-rakh'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to irradiate (or shoot forth beams), i.e. to rise (as the sun); specifically, to appear (as a symptom of leprosy); arise, rise (up), as soon as it is up.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4832
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַרְפֵּא
   Transliteration: marpêʼ
   Pronunciation: mar-pay'
   Description: from רָפָא; properly, curative, i.e. literally (concretely) a medicine, or (abstractly) a cure; figuratively (concretely) deliverance, or (abstractly) placidity; (in-)cure(-able), healing(-lth), remedy, sound, wholesome, yielding.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3671
   There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּנָף
   Transliteration: kânâph
   Pronunciation: kaw-nawf'
   Description: from כָּנַף; an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinnacle; [phrase] bird, border, corner, end, feather(-ed), [idiom] flying, [phrase] (one an-) other, overspreading, [idiom] quarters, skirt, [idiom] sort, uttermost part, wing(-ed).
   
8. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
   
9. Strong's Number: H6335
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פּוּשׁ
   Transliteration: pûwsh
   Pronunciation: poosh
   Description: a primitive root; to spread; figuratively, act proudly; grow up, be grown fat, spread selves, be scattered.
   
10. Strong's Number: H5695
    There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֵגֶל
    Transliteration: ʻêgel
    Pronunciation: ay-ghel
    Description: from the same as עָגֹל; a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e. a steer); bullock, calf.
    
11. Strong's Number: H4770
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מַרְבֵּק
    Transliteration: marbêq
    Pronunciation: mar-bake'
    Description: from an unused root meaning to tie up; a stall (for cattle); [idiom] fat(-ted), stall.