Malachi 2:14

Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet [is] she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

Yet ye say {H559}, Wherefore {H4100}? Because the LORD {H3068} hath been witness {H5749} between thee and the wife {H802} of thy youth {H5271}, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously {H898}: yet is she thy companion {H2278}, and the wife {H802} of thy covenant {H1285}.

Nevertheless, you ask, "Why is this?" Because ADONAI is witness between you and the wife of your youth that you have broken faith with her, though she is your companion, your wife by covenant.

Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.

Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because Jehovah hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, though she is thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

Context

Malachi, the last prophet of the Old Testament, addresses the spiritual apathy and moral decline of the Israelites after their return from Babylonian exile. In Malachi 2, the LORD confronts the priests and the people for their unfaithfulness, specifically their broken covenant with God and their marital treachery. The verse in question, Malachi 2:14, comes as an answer to the people's bewildered question, "Wherefore?" (meaning "Why is God not accepting our sacrifices?"). God reveals that their unfaithfulness in marriage is directly linked to His displeasure.

Key Themes

  • God as Witness to Marriage Vows: The verse powerfully states, "the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth." This highlights God's active presence and observation of marital commitments, emphasizing that marriage is not merely a human contract but a divine covenant made before Him. God takes seriously the vows exchanged.
  • The Sanctity of Marriage as a Covenant: The phrase "wife of thy covenant" underscores marriage as a sacred agreement. It is a binding promise, not easily broken. This covenantal view elevates marriage beyond a simple legal arrangement to a spiritual bond, reflecting God's own faithfulness to His covenants. This concept is foundational to understanding the seriousness of divorce in Malachi.
  • Treachery and Betrayal: The core accusation is, "against whom thou hast dealt treacherously." This points to the deceitful and faithless manner in which husbands were abandoning their long-standing wives, often for younger, foreign women, a practice condemned by the prophet.
  • The Valued Companion: Despite the treachery, the verse reminds the unfaithful husband that she "is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant." The term "companion" (Hebrew: chaverah) signifies a trusted partner, someone with whom one shares life deeply, reinforcing the profound bond being violated.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "dealt treacherously" is bagad (בָּגַד), which means to act faithlessly, to betray, or to deal deceitfully. It's a strong term indicating a profound breach of trust and loyalty, not just a simple disagreement. This highlights the severe moral offense committed against both the wife and God. The word "covenant" (Hebrew: berit, בְּרִית) is crucial here, denoting a solemn, binding agreement, often sealed with an oath. In the context of marriage, it signifies a deep, lifelong commitment, reflecting the original divine institution of marriage.

Practical Application

Malachi 2:14 serves as a timeless reminder of the sanctity and seriousness of marriage vows. It calls believers to:

  • Honor Marital Vows: Understand that marriage is a covenant made before God, not just a legal contract. Faithfulness is paramount.
  • Cherish Your Spouse: Recognize your spouse, particularly the "wife of thy youth," as a lifelong companion and partner in covenant, as echoed in Proverbs 5:18.
  • Avoid Treachery: Resist any temptation to abandon or betray a spouse, understanding that God sees and judges such actions. This applies to all forms of marital unfaithfulness, including emotional neglect and infidelity.
  • Seek God's Guidance in Marriage: Acknowledge God's role as a witness in your marriage and seek His wisdom for building a strong, lasting relationship.
This verse underscores God's deep concern for justice and faithfulness within the family unit, which is the foundational building block of society.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Malachi 2:15

    And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:9

    Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that [is] thy portion in [this] life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

  • Isaiah 54:6

    ¶ For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

  • Genesis 31:50

    If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take [other] wives beside my daughters, no man [is] with us; see, God [is] witness betwixt me and thee.

  • Proverbs 2:17

    Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

  • Jeremiah 42:5

    Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us.

  • Malachi 3:5

    And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in [his] wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger [from his right], and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
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