Malachi 4:5

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

Behold, I will send {H7971} you Elijah {H452} the prophet {H5030} before {H6440} the coming {H935} of the great {H1419} and dreadful {H3372} day {H3117} of the LORD {H3068}:

Look, I will send to you Eliyahu the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible Day of ADONAI.

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Jehovah come.

Commentary

Malachi 4:5 stands as a powerful and pivotal prophecy, concluding the Old Testament with a forward-looking promise of divine intervention and a call to preparation. This verse speaks to God's sovereign plan to send a specific messenger before a significant future event, setting the stage for New Testament fulfillment and eschatological hope.

Context

The book of Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament, written after the return of the exiles from Babylon. It addresses the spiritual apathy, corruption among the priests, and unfaithfulness of the people of Israel. Malachi 4, in particular, describes a coming "day" – a time of both fiery judgment for the wicked and healing for those who fear God's name. Malachi 4:5 serves as a bridge, offering a final prophetic word that anticipates the arrival of a forerunner who will prepare the way for the Lord Himself.

Key Themes

  • The Forerunner: The central promise is the sending of "Elijah the prophet." This points to a significant figure whose ministry would precede the climactic "Day of the LORD." This messenger's role is to call people back to God, fostering reconciliation and repentance.
  • The Day of the LORD: Described as "the great and dreadful day of the LORD," this phrase signifies a decisive time of God's direct intervention in human history. It is "great" in its majesty and divine power, and "dreadful" in its implications of judgment for those unprepared, while bringing salvation and vindication for the righteous. Prophets often spoke of the Day of the LORD as a day of reckoning.
  • Divine Initiative: The phrase "I will send you" underscores God's sovereignty and faithfulness in orchestrating events according to His perfect timing and purpose. It is a divine promise, not a human endeavor.

Linguistic Insights

The name Elijah (Hebrew: Eliyahu) means "My God is Yahweh," reflecting his zealous ministry against idolatry and his powerful defense of the one true God. His unique departure from earth, taken up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11), fueled the expectation of his return before the Messiah's advent.

The phrase "the great and dreadful day of the LORD" (Hebrew: yom Yahweh hagadol vehannora) emphasizes the dual nature of this day: majestic and awe-inspiring for believers, but terrifying for the unrighteous. It is a day of divine judgment and ultimate vindication.

Prophetic Fulfillment

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself identifies John the Baptist as this prophesied Elijah. The angel Gabriel, announcing John's birth, states that he would go before the Lord "in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (Luke 1:17). John's ministry of calling for repentance directly fulfilled the role of preparing the way for the first coming of Christ. However, the "great and dreadful day of the LORD" also has an ultimate, future eschatological fulfillment, hinting at a potential future manifestation of this prophecy before Christ's Second Coming.

Practical Application

Malachi 4:5 reminds us of the importance of spiritual readiness. Just as a messenger prepared the way for Christ's first coming, we are called to be prepared for His return and the ultimate "Day of the LORD." This involves:

  • Repentance: Acknowledging our sins and turning back to God, just as John the Baptist preached "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
  • Reconciliation: The prophecy in Malachi 4:6 (following this verse) speaks of turning "the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers," highlighting the importance of restored relationships within families and communities.
  • Watchfulness: Living with an awareness of God's imminent action in history, whether through personal challenges or the ultimate return of Christ.

This verse offers both a solemn warning and a profound hope: God is faithful to His promises, and He provides a means for His people to be prepared for His glorious presence.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 1:17 (29 votes)

    And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

  • Matthew 17:10 (20 votes)

    And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

  • Matthew 17:13 (20 votes)

    Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

  • Mark 9:11 (19 votes)

    And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?

  • Mark 9:13 (19 votes)

    But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

  • Matthew 11:13 (17 votes)

    For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

  • Matthew 11:14 (17 votes)

    And if ye will receive [it], this is Elias, which was for to come.