¶ For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
For, behold, the day {H3117} cometh {H935}, that shall burn {H1197} as an oven {H8574}; and all the proud {H2086}, yea, and all that do {H6213} wickedly {H7564}, shall be stubble {H7179}: and the day {H3117} that cometh {H935} shall burn them up {H3857}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, that it shall leave {H5800} them neither root {H8328} nor branch {H6057}.
For the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the proud and evildoers will be stubble; the day that is coming will set them ablaze," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot, "and leave them neither root nor branch.
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”
For, behold, the day cometh, it burneth as a furnace; and all the proud, and all that work wickedness, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith Jehovah of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
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2 Thessalonians 1:8
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: -
2 Peter 3:7
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. -
Malachi 3:2
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: -
Isaiah 47:14
Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: [there shall] not [be] a coal to warm at, [nor] fire to sit before it. -
Isaiah 5:24
Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, [so] their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. -
Obadiah 1:18
And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be [any] remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken [it]. -
Malachi 3:15
And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, [they that] tempt God are even delivered.
Malachi 4:1 KJV delivers a stern warning of the coming judgment, often referred to as the "Day of the LORD." This verse vividly describes the fiery destruction awaiting the wicked and the proud, emphasizing the certainty and severity of God's ultimate justice.
Context
This verse concludes the prophetic book of Malachi, which addresses the spiritual apathy, corruption, and unfaithfulness of Israel during the post-exilic period. The people and priests had grown complacent, offering blemished sacrifices, withholding tithes, and doubting God's justice. Malachi 3:13-18 contrasts the attitude of the arrogant who prosper despite their wickedness with the faithful who fear the Lord. Malachi 4:1 then serves as a direct response to this perceived injustice, declaring that a day of reckoning is surely coming. It sets the stage for the dramatic contrast with the blessed state of the righteous described in Malachi 4:2.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew phrase for "the day cometh" (hā-yōm bā’) carries a strong sense of inevitability and proximity. The imagery of "burn as an oven" (bōʿēr ka-tannūr) vividly depicts the intense heat and destructive power, suggesting a furnace-like intensity that leaves nothing untouched. The comparison of the wicked to "stubble" (qaš) highlights their utter insignificance and flammability in the face of divine wrath. The powerful idiom "neither root nor branch" (šōreš wā-ʿānāf) emphasizes a complete and irreversible destruction, leaving no possibility of regrowth or continuation of existence, much like a tree that is not just cut down but completely uprooted and burned.
Practical Application
Malachi 4:1 serves as a timeless warning and a call to introspection. It reminds us of God's unwavering holiness and His promise to bring justice to the earth. For those who are living in pride or wickedness, it is a stark reminder of the ultimate consequences of rejecting God's ways. It encourages repentance and a turning towards righteousness before the appointed time of judgment. For the faithful, it offers comfort and assurance that God sees all things, and that His justice, though sometimes delayed, will surely come, bringing about a final separation between the righteous and the unrighteous. This verse compels believers to live lives that honor God, knowing that the ultimate destiny of all will be determined by their relationship with Him.