Malachi1

The prophet Malachi delivers a burden from the LORD to Israel, who question God's love despite His choice of Jacob over Esau and the desolation of Edom. God rebukes the priests for despising His name by offering polluted and blemished sacrifices, thereby showing contempt for His altar. He declares His displeasure with their offerings and prophesies that His name will be great among the Gentiles with pure offerings.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Superscription and Introduction

1
The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. ​

The Lord's Love Questioned

2
I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, ​
3
And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. ​
4
Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever. ​
5
And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.

God Condemns Defective Offerings

6
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? ​
7
Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. ​
8
And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. ​
9
And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts. ​
10
Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. ​

The Promise of Universal Worship

11
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. ​
12
But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.
13
Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD. ​
14
But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen. ​

Study Notes for Malachi 1

Verse 1

The term 'burden' (Heb. *massa'*) often signifies a heavy prophetic utterance, usually one of judgment. Malachi ('My Messenger') may be a proper name or a title for the prophetic author.

Verse 2

This verse establishes Malachi’s characteristic literary style: a declaration by God followed by an insolent counter-question from the people, which God then answers with a strong defense.

Verse 3

The declaration 'I hated Esau' refers to the sovereign, elective choice of nations (cf. Rom. 9:13). God chose Jacob (Israel) for covenant blessing while allowing Esau (Edom) to face deserved destruction and national ruin.

Verse 4

Edom had recently been devastated (likely by Nabateans). God promises that Edom's attempts to rebuild will fail, confirming their status as a perpetual example of those who reject God’s covenant.

Verse 6

The focus shifts from the general populace to the priests, who were responsible for maintaining the sanctity of worship. Their contempt for God is revealed not in denial, but in careless practice.

Verse 7

'Polluted bread' refers to the sacrifices themselves. Calling the altar, 'the table of the LORD,' contemptible shows a severe lack of respect for the holiness of God's presence and the sacrificial system.

Verse 8

Mosaic Law strictly forbade offering animals with blemishes (Lev. 22:20-24). Comparing the defective sacrifice to a gift given to a human governor highlights the absurdity and insult of offering such things to the great King.

Verse 9

This verse is deeply ironic: since the priests have failed, God challenges them to appeal for grace, knowing that their hypocritical actions have made such grace impossible ('Will he regard your persons?').

Verse 10

The priests are portrayed as mercenary, unwilling to perform basic temple duties (like shutting doors or lighting fires) without payment. God states He would prefer the temple shut down than endure their disrespectful service.

Verse 11

This is a powerful messianic prophecy, contrasting the corruption in Jerusalem with the future universal worship of God among the Gentiles. It promises a time when true, pure offerings will be made worldwide.

Verse 13

'Weariness' suggests the priests viewed their duties as burdensome labor rather than sacred privilege. Their lazy attitude led them to accept the worst animals, violating the covenant requirement for whole and perfect sacrifices.

Verse 14

A curse is pronounced upon those who knowingly withhold their best while having a suitable animal in their possession. The chapter concludes by reasserting God’s universal majesty, underscoring why He demands perfect obedience.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options