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.

And I will come near {H7126} to you to judgment {H4941}; and I will be a swift {H4116} witness {H5707} against the sorcerers {H3784}, and against the adulterers {H5003}, and against false {H8267} swearers {H7650}, and against those that oppress {H6231} the hireling {H7916} in his wages {H7939}, the widow {H490}, and the fatherless {H3490}, and that turn aside {H5186} the stranger {H1616} from his right, and fear {H3372} not me, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}.

"Then I will approach you for judgment; and I will be quick to witness against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers; against those who take advantage of wage-earners, widows and orphans; against those who rob the foreigner of his rights and don't fear me," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot.

“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.

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 the false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the sojourner from his right, and fear not me, saith Jehovah of hosts.

Malachi 3:5 serves as a stark warning from God to the people of Israel, detailing His impending judgment against various forms of unrighteousness prevalent among them. It emphasizes God's active involvement in human affairs, particularly His role as a righteous judge and a swift, unerring witness against sin.

Context

This verse is part of a larger prophetic message in Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, addressed to the Jewish community that had returned from Babylonian exile. Despite the restoration of the temple and land, the people had grown spiritually apathetic, offering defiled sacrifices (Malachi 1:7), neglecting tithes (Malachi 3:8), and engaging in widespread social and moral corruption. Following the promise of a coming "messenger" and the Lord's sudden arrival to purify His people (Malachi 3:1-4), verse 5 specifies the sins that will face divine scrutiny and judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Accountability: The declaration "I will come near to you to judgment" underscores God's personal and direct involvement in holding His people accountable for their actions. This is not a distant, passive deity but an active judge.
  • God as a Swift and Infallible Witness: The phrase "swift witness" highlights God's omniscience and immediate knowledge of all transgressions. There is no hidden sin from His sight, and His judgment will be decisive and certain.
  • Social and Moral Corruption: The verse lists a range of sins, from spiritual offenses like "sorcerers" and "false swearers" to severe social injustices such as "adulterers," "oppress[ing] the hireling," exploiting "the widow, and the fatherless," and mistreating "the stranger." This comprehensive list reveals the deep moral decay in society.
  • The Root of Sin: Lack of Reverence for God: The concluding phrase, "and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts," identifies the underlying issue behind all these sins. The absence of a proper reverential fear of the LORD leads to a disregard for His commands and a breakdown of both spiritual and social order.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "swift witness" comes from the Hebrew 'ed mahir, emphasizing not just speed but also the certainty and decisiveness of God's testimony against wrongdoing. The title "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) is a powerful designation used frequently in Malachi, signifying God's supreme authority, His command over heavenly armies, and His omnipotence, reinforcing the absolute certainty of His pronouncements and judgments.

Practical Application

Malachi 3:5 serves as a timeless reminder that God is concerned not only with our religious rituals but also with our moral integrity and how we treat others. For believers today, this verse calls for:

  • Personal Integrity: A commitment to holiness, avoiding practices like sorcery (which can include any engagement with the occult or seeking power outside God) and sexual immorality.
  • Truthfulness: Upholding honesty in all dealings and respecting the sanctity of oaths, reflecting the importance of truthfulness as seen in Matthew 5:37.
  • Social Justice: A passionate concern for the vulnerable and marginalized in society. It challenges us to advocate for fair wages, protect the rights of the weak, and care for the widow, the orphan, and the stranger, echoing the principles found in James 1:27.
  • Reverence for God: Ultimately, living righteously stems from a deep and abiding reverence for God, acknowledging His sovereignty, His justice, and His ever-present awareness of our lives.

This verse reminds us that God sees all and will bring all things to light, urging us to live lives that honor Him in both word and deed.

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.

  • James 5:8

    Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

  • James 5:9

    Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

  • Hebrews 13:4

    Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

  • Deuteronomy 5:11

    Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold [him] guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

  • 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.

  • James 5:4

    Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

  • Deuteronomy 27:19

    Cursed [be] he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.

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