Malachi

Malachi front

Introduction to Malachi

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of Malachi

1. The word of Yahweh comes to Israel (1:1)
2. Yahweh loves Israel and rejects Esau (Edom) (1:2–5)
3. A message against the priests (1:6–2:9)
4. A message against Judah: they have broken faith by divorcing and intermarrying (2:10–16)
5. A message about the day of refining (2:17–3:6)
6. A message about tithing (3:7–12)
7. A message about those who others treated shamefully, but who were faithful to Yahweh (3:13–18)
8. Yahweh will punish the wicked and send Elijah before the “great and terrible day of Yahweh” (4:5–6)

What is the Book of Malachi about?

The Book of Malachi is about the prophecies that Malachi spoke to the Jews who had returned from Babylon to Judah. At that time, the Jews were discouraged even though they had finished building a new temple. The wonderful things that previous prophets had promised for Judah had not yet happened. And the Persian Empire still ruled over them. As a result, they no longer were concerned about the law or worshiping Yahweh. Malachi rebuked them for not trusting in Yahweh. But he also promised them that Yahweh would do everything that he promised to do.

How should the title of this book be translated?

This book traditionally has been titled “Malachi” or “The Book of Malachi.” Translators may decide to call it “The Book about Malachi” or “The Sayings of Malachi.” (See: How to Translate Names)

Who wrote the Book of Malachi?

The prophet Malachi wrote these messages from Yahweh to the Jews. However, since “Malachi” means “my messenger,” it is possible that this was a title for this prophet. If so, we do not know his real name.

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

What was meant by the day of Yahweh?

Malachi spoke about “the day” several times. This is the same as “the day of Yahweh.” In the Book of Malachi, this is the time when Yahweh would judge his people. He would remove those who wickedly sin and bless those who trust in him. (See: day of the Lord, day of Yahweh and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Malachi 1

Malachi 1 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Yahweh of hosts

This is an important title used in this chapter. It reminds the reader of the great power Yahweh has to punish the nations. (See: Yahweh of hosts, God of hosts, host of heaven, host of the heavens, Lord of hosts)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

There are many rhetorical questions in this chapter. They all have a rather dramatic effect. They increase the emotional connotations of what is being said. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Malachi 1:1

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. “This is the declaration of the word of Yahweh to Israel by the hand of Malachi”

This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.

The phrase “by the hand of” is an idiom that means that Yahweh used Malachi to deliver his message. Alternate translation: “through Malachi” or “spoken to them by Malachi” (See: Idiom)

Malachi 1:2

This question indicates that the people doubt the truth of what God says. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You have not shown that you love us.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This question, a reply of Yahweh reminding the people of their nation’s history, may also be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that Esau was Jacob’s brother.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Alternate translation: “Yahweh has solemnly said this”

Here “loved” implies a relationship of loyalty between Yahweh and Jacob, in which a covenant existed between them. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “as you know, I obligated myself with a covenant to love Jacob” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This name “Jacob” refers here not only to Jacob, but also to all his descendants. (See: Synecdoche)

Malachi 1:3

Here “hated” implies that there was no covenant between Yahweh and Esau. However, it does not imply that Yahweh was emotionally against Esau.

This name “Esau” refers here not only to Esau, but also to all his descendants. (See: Synecdoche)

This refers to the hill country of Edom.

In the Old Testament, the presence of wild animals such as jackals was a frequent description of land deserted by the people who once lived there.

Here “inheritance” stands for the region that Esau’s descendants, the nation of Edom, occupied. (See: Metaphor)

Malachi 1:4

Here “Edom” stands for the people of Edom. Alternate translation: “If the people of Edom say” (See: Metonymy)

Here “throw down” stands for “destroy.” Alternate translation: “I will destroy” (See: Metonymy)

Here “wickedness” stands either for wicked people or for wicked actions. Alternate translation: “country of wicked people” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Malachi 1:5

Here “your own eyes” stands for the people themselves. Alternate translation: “You yourselves will see this” (See: Synecdoche)

Malachi 1:6

Yahweh rebukes the priests using an imaginary conversation in which the priests protest that they are doing right and Yahweh tells them what they are doing wrong.

Here “my name” stands for Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: “treat me as though you hate me” (See: Metonymy)

Here the priests are asking a question in order to state that they have not really despised Yahweh. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “We have not really despised your name.” or “Tell us how we have despised your name, because we do not think that we have done so.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Malachi 1:7

Here “polluted” describes anything that is not suitable to sacrifice to God. (See: Metaphor)

Here the priests are asking a question in order to state that they have not really polluted Yahweh. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “We have not polluted you.” or “Tell us how we have polluted you, because we do not think that we have done so.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This expression refers to insulting God by giving him unsuitable sacrifices. (See: Metaphor)

This refers to an altar.

This is the answer that Yahweh gives to the priests, but the full answer is only implied. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “You have polluted me by saying, ‘Yahweh’s table is contemptible.’” (See: Ellipsis)

regarded as worthless

Malachi 1:8

Here Yahweh uses a question to rebuke the people. Alternate translation: “You know very well that it is evil for you to offer blind animals for sacrifice!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here Yahweh uses a question to rebuke the people. Alternate translation: “And you know very well that it is evil for you to offer lame and sick animals!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The command in the first sentence functions as a hypothetical condition. Alternate translation: “If you present that to your governor, will he accept you or will he lift up your face?” (See: Imperatives — Other Uses and Hypothetical Situations)

Here Yahweh asks this question in order to remind the people that their governor would never accept defective animals from them. Alternate translation: “If you do those things, you know that the governor will not accept you. He will not lift up your face.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Lifting up someone’s face refers to accepting him with favor. Alternate translation: “will he accept you with favor” or “will he agree to help you” (See: Idiom)

give as a gift to show respect

Malachi 1:9

Malachi is no longer speaking for God. He is talking directly to the Israelites; he is criticizing them for daring to think that God will have mercy on them.

Here “face” stands for God and also for his presence. Alternate translation: “keep asking God in his presence” (See: Synecdoche)

Here Yahweh is asking a question in order to make a statement of rebuke. Alternate translation: “if you offer unacceptable offerings, he will certainly not lift up your faces.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Idiom)

This difficult phrase in Hebrew is interpreted in many different ways by modern versions.

Here “hand” stands for the people bringing the offering. Alternate translation: “brought by you” (See: Synecdoche)

Lifting up someone’s face refers to accepting him with favor. Alternate translation: “would he accept any of you with favor” or “would he agree to help any of you” (See: Idiom)

Malachi 1:10

This expresses great desire.

Here “light fires on my altar” stands for offering sacrifices on Yahweh’s altar. Alternate translation: “so that you might not make fires to burn offerings that I will not accept” (See: Metonymy)

Here “your hand” stands for “you.” Alternate translation: “from you” (See: Synecdoche)

Malachi 1:11

This double expression means “everywhere.” It is parallel to “among the nations” and “in every place” (See: Merism and Parallelism)

Here “my name” stands for Yahweh’s reputation and honor. Alternate translation: “I will be honored in other nations” (See: Metonymy)

This may be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “in these nations people will offer incense and pure offerings to me in order to worship me” (See: Active or Passive)

Here “name” stands for Yahweh. Alternate translation: “to me” (See: Metonymy)

Malachi 1:12

This could mean: (1) “the meat sacrificed on the altar from animals whose other parts the priests should eat” or (2) “the meat sacrificed on the altar.”

Malachi 1:13

show great disrespect by making noises through the nose (See: Idiom)

Here Yahweh is asking a question in order to make a statement of rebuke. Alternate translation: “I should certainly not accept this from you!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here “your hand” stands for “you.” Alternate translation: “from you” (See: Synecdoche)

Malachi 1:14

This may be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “people in the other nations honor my name” (See: Active or Passive)

Here “my name” stands for Yahweh. Alternate translation: “I will be honored” (See: Metonymy)

Malachi 2

Malachi 2 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Levites

The priests are given a strong warning in this chapter. They have not followed the law of Moses and have led the people in the wrong direction. Yahweh has not accepted their sacrifices. (See: priest, priesthood and law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God)

Marital unfaithfulness

Because the Jews lived under a covenantal arrangement with Yahweh, their relationship is described using the imagery of a marriage. Marital unfaithfulness indicates a person’s unfaithfulness to Yahweh. (See: covenant and faithful, faithfulness, trustworthy and Metaphor)

Malachi 2:2

This refers to considering something to be very important. Alternate translation: “consider it to be very important” (See: Idiom)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word honor, you could express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “honor my name” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Here this expression refers to God. (See: Metonymy)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word curse, you could express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “I will curse you” (See: Abstract Nouns)

This refers to considering God’s command to be very important. Alternate translation: “you are not considering my command to be very important” (See: Idiom)

Malachi 2:3

Here “dung on your faces” stands for disgrace. Alternate translation: “I will most certainly put you in deep disgrace; it will be as bad as if I had spread dung on your faces” (See: Metaphor)

Here “festivals” stands for the animals that the priests offered in sacrifice at the Israelite festivals. “The dung” probably refers both to the dung that was produced by the animals just before they were slaughtered for sacrifice, and to the dung that was found inside the animals when their bodies were cut apart before being sacrificed. Temple workers had to transport this dung to a place outside of the temple, and probably outside of Jerusalem. (See: Metonymy)

This difficult expression can be translated as “God will take you away with it,” that is, with the dung. This expression continues the same metaphor of slaughtering animals for sacrifice, and it can be put in active form. Alternate translation: “they will throw you on the dung pile; God will make sure that they take you away when they remove all the dung” (See: Active or Passive)

This could mean: (1) God will punish the unfaithful priests by killing them and causing their bodies to be carried away on the piles of animal dung, or (2) God will punish the unfaithful priests in such a horrible way that it will be as if their bodies had been carried away with the animal dung. (See: Metaphor)

Malachi 2:4

Here Levi represents his descendants, the tribe of Levi. Alternate translation: “so that my covenant may be with you, the descendants of Levi” (See: Metonymy)

Malachi 2:5

Yahweh speaks of the tribe of Levi as though they are Levi. (See: Metonymy)

Here the intended results of the covenant are spoken of as if they were the covenant itself. Alternate translation: “The purpose of my covenant with Levi was for the priests to live in prosperity and peace” (See: Metaphor)

This expression continues the same metaphor, but leaves out an idea that is implied in the text. This can begin a new sentence. Alternate translation: “My covenant with him was also fear, and he feared me” or “In my covenant with him, I required him to fear me, and he did fear me” (See: Ellipsis)

Here “my name” stands for God himself. (See: Metonymy)

Malachi 2:6

Here finding something stands for that thing existing. Alternate translation: “there was no falsehood” (See: Metonymy)

Here “lips” stands for a person’s ability to speak. (See: Metonymy)

Here walking stands for living, conducting one’s life in a certain way. (See: Metaphor)

Here the idea of location stands for the manner in which Levi lived. Alternate translation: “peacefully and uprightly” (See: Metaphor)

Here persuading people to stop sinning is spoken of as if it were turning them away from sin. Alternate translation: “he persuaded many people to stop sinning” (See: Metaphor)

Here “lips” stands for a person’s ability to speak. (See: Metaphor)

Malachi 2:7

Here knowledge is spoken of as if it were an object that a priest could keep. In this passage, the idea of “keep knowledge” implies communicating true knowledge about God. (See: Metaphor)

Here instruction is spoken of as if it were an object that people could look for. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **, you could express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “want to be instructed” or “want a priest to teach them truly” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Here “mouth” stands for what a person says. (See: Metonymy)

Malachi 2:8

The right way to behave is spoken of as if it were the right path to follow, and abandoning right conduct is spoken of as if it were turning away from that path. (See: Metaphor)

Disobeying God is spoken of as if it were stumbling. (See: Metaphor)

The expression “with respect to the law” gives the context for the “stumbling.” Alternate translation: “You have caused many to disobey the law”

Malachi 2:9

This spatial idea stands for the people’s awareness of the priests’ evil behavior. (See: Metaphor)

Here “ways” stands for “desires” and “behavior.” These ways are spoken of as if they were things that could be kept by people. Alternate translation: “followed my desires in how you should live” (See: Metaphor)

Alternate translation: “set easy standards of behavior for people you like and difficult standards of behavior for people you do not like”

Here the habit of favoring some people more than others is spoken of as if it were a thing that could be shown to others. Alternate translation: “made people aware that you favor some people more than others (See: Metaphor)

Malachi 2:10

Here the prophet Malachi begins to speak to his fellow Israelites.

Malachi asks these questions in order to remind his fellow Israelites about what they already know. Alternate translation: “You know that we all have one father, that our God has created a nation out of us.” or “You all know that God is the father of all us Israelites, because he is the one who made our nation.” (See: Background Information and Rhetorical Question)

This question is meant to express a statement. Alternate translation: “Certainly it is the same God who has created us.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This probably refers to God forming the Hebrews into a nation.

Malachi asks this question in order to rebuke his fellow Israelites. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “We should certainly not mistreat our brothers and disrespect God’s covenant by disobeying his commands, as you have been doing.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Malachi 2:11

Here “Judah” stands for the people in the region of Judah, and the fact that they have been faithless to Yahweh is spoken of as if they were one man named “Judah.” Alternate translation: “The people of Judah have been faithless” (See: Metonymy)

This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “People have done disgusting things in Israel and in Jerusalem” (See: Active or Passive)

Here “Judah” refers again to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “For the people of Judah have profaned the holy place of Yahweh” (See: Metonymy)

The people of Judah are again referred to as if they were one man named “Judah.” Alternate translation: “have married women from other nations, women who worship idols” (See: Metonymy)

Malachi 2:12

Destroying something is often spoken of as it were cutting it off from something else. Alternate translation: “May Yahweh destroy anyone in the tents of Jacob who” or “May Yahweh kill anyone in the community of Israel who” (See: Metaphor)

Here “tents of Jacob” stands for the community of Israel. (See: Metaphor)

Here “Jacob” stands for all the Israelites, because Jacob was one of the patriarchs from whom the Israelites were descended. (See: Metonymy)

This expression seems to mean “absolutely everyone.” (See: Idiom)

Malachi 2:13

This sarcastically exaggerates the amount of tears the people cry to show that Yahweh knows that the people do not really feel sad. (See: Hyperbole and Irony)

The words “weeping” and “sighing” share similar meanings and intensify the idea of weeping. Alternate translation: “with great weeping” (See: Doublet)

Here turning toward a gift stands for receiving it and showing favor to the giver. (See: Metonymy)

This implies that those who are weeping at Yahweh’s altar have offered sacrifices to him. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Here “hand” stands for the person giving the offering. Alternate translation: “from you” (See: Synecdoche)

Malachi 2:14

The full thought, as in Malachi 2:13, is “Why does he not turn toward the offering or accept it with favor from our hand?” Some translators may decide to provide this entire thought in their versions. (See: Ellipsis)

Alternate translation: “the woman you married when you were young”

This statement assumes that this woman is still living. (See: Background Information)

Here a witness to an agreement between two people is thought of as standing between them in order to testify about what they agreed to, in case a dispute arises between the two people. This sentence also was meant to remind the people that Yahweh would punish any Israelite who broke the covenant of marriage. (See: Metaphor and Background Information)

This statement implies that many of the Israelites had divorced their wives. (See: Background Information)

Alternate translation: “by the covenant of marriage that you agreed to”

Malachi 2:15

If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “He certainly made husband and wife one, with a portion of his spirit.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This expression implies making husband and wife one flesh. Alternate translation: “make husband and wife one flesh” (See: Background Information)

Children who would honor and obey God.

Malachi 2:16

Here “divorce” stands for the act of divorce, when a man sends away his wife, so as to end his marriage to her. Alternate translation: “I hate it when a man divorces his wife” (See: Abstract Nouns)

This phrase probably means any man who is violent toward his wife. (See: Idiom)

Alternate translation: “So be careful to be loyal to your wife”

Malachi 2:17

Yahweh is spoken of as if human behavior could make him tired, but God cannot grow weary in a physical or emotional sense. This statement probably means that Yahweh has become offended or exasperated. Alternate translation: “You have offended Yahweh” (See: Metaphor)

This question is meant to deny that the people have done any wrong. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “We have certainly not wearied him.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

The complete idea here is, “You have wearied him by saying.” This is the prophet’s answer to the rhetorical question. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “in the opinion” or “in the judgment” (See: Metaphor)

The priests ask this question in order to claim either that Yahweh does not care whether people do evil or not, or that he never punishes evildoers. Alternate translation: “God certainly does not punish evil people!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

the God who punishes evildoers justly

Malachi 3

Malachi 3 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Messiah

There are several prophecies in this chapter concerning the Messiah and the one who comes before the Messiah. At times, this chapter switches between prophesying about the first coming of the Messiah and the second coming of the Messiah without formal divisions between them. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and Christ, Messiah)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical questions

Several rhetorical questions are used in this chapter to convince the reader of the truth of what he is saying and of their sin. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Malachi 3:1

Yahweh begins speaking again to the people of Israel in verse 1, but the prophet Malachi begins speaking in verse 2.

Alternate translation: “Look” or “Listen” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

Here getting people ready to welcome Yahweh is spoken of as if a road were being cleared for Yahweh to travel on. (See: Metaphor)

Some modern versions translate this in a way that implies that these two expressions refer to the same person. Other modern versions leave this matter ambiguous. We recommend that translations leave this matter ambiguous, as the ULT and UST do.

Almost all versions leave ambiguous the sense of this expression. But translators may need to make explicit the relationship between “messenger” and “the covenant.” The UST presents “the messenger” as one promised by the covenant that Yahweh had with Israel. Another choice is to present the messenger as a person who will either confirm that covenant or announce a new covenant.

Malachi 3:2

These rhetorical questions imply that no one will be able to resist Yahweh when he comes. They can be combined into one statement. Alternate translation: “However, no one will be able to resist Yahweh when he comes to judge them.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here “day” stands for “time.” Alternate translation: “the time when he comes”

Here standing represents resisting someone’s attack or accusations. (See: Metaphor)

This sentence gives the reason why no one will be able to resist God when he comes. God’s power to judge the people and to stop them from sinning is spoken of as if it were the power of strong soap to clean clothes, or the power of fire to melt an object. These are ways of saying that God’s power to do these things cannot be stopped. (See: Simile)

Malachi 3:3

Forgiving the sons of Levi and persuading them not to sin any longer is spoken of as if it were purifying metal. Alternate translation: “he will correct the sons of Levi and forgive them for having sinned” (See: Metaphor)

Here “sons” refers to descendants. The male descendants of Levi were the priests and workers in the temple. (See: Metaphor)

Here sitting implies the action of a metalworker, who sits down in order to purify small amounts of gold or silver. It also implies the action of a king, who sits down to judge people and give decrees. (See: Simile and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Here persuading people not to sin any longer is spoken of as if a metalworker were making gold and silver more pure. (See: Simile)

Here “of righteousness” means “motivated by righteous desires to worship God.” Alternate translation: “they will bring acceptable offerings to Yahweh in order to worship Yahweh”

Malachi 3:4

Here “Judah” and “Jerusalem” stand for the people in those places. Alternate translation: “the offerings brought by the people of Judah and Jerusalem” (See: Metonymy)

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that the offering was once pleasing to Yahweh. Alternate translation: “as it was in the distant past” (See: Parallelism)

Malachi 3:5

Here “judgment” refers to the act of judging. Alternate translation: “Then I will approach you in order to judge you” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Alternate translation: “cause the hired worker to suffer by not paying him for his work”

That is, turning away the foreigner from gaining his rights. Depriving people of their rights is spoken of as if it were physically turning them away from oneself. Perhaps the idea is turning away someone who comes for a wrong to be set right. Alternate translation: “deny foreigners living in Israel the rights that they should have” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Metaphor)

Malachi 3:6

Alternate translation: “have not perished”

Malachi 3:7

Disobeying God’s statutes is spoken of as if it were turning away from them. Alternate translation: “You have disobeyed my statutes ever since the days of your ancestors” (See: Metaphor)

Here loving each other and being faithful to each other is spoken of as if it were returning to each other. Alternate translation: “Love me and honor me, and I will always help you” (See: Metaphor)

The people ask this question in order to claim that they have never stopped obeying God. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “We have never gone away from you, so we cannot return to you.” or “We have never gone away from you, so it makes no sense to speak of us as returning to you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Malachi 3:8

This question implies that the idea of robbing God is very wicked. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. God speaks of himself in the third person Alternate translation: “A man should certainly not rob God.” or “No one should ever rob me.” (See: Rhetorical Question and First, Second or Third Person)

This question implies that the people do not think they have robbed God. Alternate translation: “We have certainly not robbed you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

This reply from Yahweh implies a fuller answer. Alternate translation: “You have robbed me by withholding from me your tithes and offerings” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Malachi 3:9

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I have certainly cursed you” (See: Active or Passive)

Here “nation” stands for the people to whom Yahweh is speaking. Alternate translation: “all of you in the whole nation are robbing me”

Malachi 3:10

Alternate translation: “all the tithes”

Here “house” stands for the temple. Alternate translation: “my temple” (See: Metaphor)

Here the command “test me” stands for something that the people can do and should do: “if you test me.” This can be divided into two sentences also. Alternate translation: “And if you test me … I will open up the windows of heaven” or “And you should test me … If you do, I will open up the windows of heaven” (See: Metaphor)

Malachi 3:12

Here to be called blessed stands for being blessed. Alternate translation: “All the nations will know that you have been blessed” (See: Metaphor)

This expression stands for the people in all the nations. Alternate translation: “The people in all the nations” (See: Metonymy)

Here “delight” stands for the condition in which the inhabitants of a land take delight in their land. (See: Abstract Nouns)

Malachi 3:13

These verses begin a new section in the book. Here Yahweh is speaking to the people of Israel.

Here “strong” stands for “harsh” or “terrible.” And “Your words” stands for “What you have said.” Alternate translation: “What you have said about me is terrible” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

The people ask this question in order to claim that they have said nothing against God. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “We have not said anything among ourselves against you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Malachi 3:14

The people ask this question among themselves in order to make a statement. Alternate translation: “It is useless that we have kept his requirements and walked mournfully before Yahweh of hosts.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here “walk mournfully” stands for “behave in a sorrowful manner,” probably in order to indicate sorrow over their sins. (See: Metaphor)

Here this expression refers to God being aware of what the people were doing. (See: Metaphor)

Malachi 3:15

Here to be called “blessed” stands for being blessed. Alternate translation: “we say that the arrogant are blessed” (See: Metaphor)

This may be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “we say that the arrogant are well off” (See: Active or Passive)

That is, “they escape God’s punishment.” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Malachi 3:16

The event described here may have taken place after the godly people in Israel repented of their sins.

This could mean: (1) the Israelites wrote a book so they would remember what they had promised and listed the names of people who feared Yahweh or (2) Yahweh caused someone in heaven to write a book with the names of people who feared him.

This expression refers to any book that helps people remember important things, such as events or people who lived in the past. (See: Abstract Nouns)

Here “his name” stands for God himself. (See: Metonymy)

Malachi 3:17

Alternate translation: “They will be my people”

Here “possession” refers to one’s personal property. This idea can be expressed with a verb. Alternate translation: “they will belong completely to me” (See: Abstract Nouns)

the time when Yahweh will judge and punish the rebellious Israelites, giving victory to the faithful Israelites

Malachi 3:18

Alternate translation: “see a difference between” or “treat differently”

Malachi 4

Malachi 4 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Last days

Although the Jews may have hoped these prophecies referenced a time in the near future to them, the prophecies of this chapter exclusively relate to the last days. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess and last day, latter days)

Malachi 4:1

Alternate translation: “look” or “listen” or “pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

The disaster occurring at this time is spoken of as if the day itself were burning. God’s judgment is often spoken of as if it were a fire. (See: Metaphor)

See how you translated these wordsd in Malachi 3:15.

These people are spoken of as if they will become dried-up plants fit only for being burned. It is common for the Bible to speak of people as if they were plants or trees. Alternate translation: “all the arrogant and all the evildoers will burn up like dry plants” (See: Metaphor)

Here “the day” stands for the events that will occur on that day. Alternate translation: “On that day I will burn them up” (See: Metonymy)

This expression continues to speak of people as if they were plants or trees. So being deprived of all roots and branches stands for being completely killed off. Alternate translation: “nothing will be left” (See: Merism and Metaphor)

Malachi 4:2

Here “my name” stands for Yahweh himself. (See: Metonymy)

This could mean: (1) Yahweh, who always acts righteously, will come and heal his people on that day or (2) on that day Yahweh will reveal the people’s righteousness and heal them.

This could mean: (1) the act of healing someone is spoken of as if it were an object that the sun carried to people by means of its wings or (2) the healing takes place under the wings, that is, in the security God gives his people. (See: Abstract Nouns and Metaphor)

It was common in the Ancient Near East to speak of the sun as if it had wings, with which it moved across the sky. This could mean: (1) the sun’s life-giving rays of light are spoken of as if they were its wings or (2) the wings are said to cover God’s people so as to give them peace and safey. (See: Metaphor)

Here the redeemed people of Yahweh are spoken of as if they were young bulls released from their stalls, allowed to go out into their pasture. (See: Simile)

Malachi 4:3

Here the victory of God’s people is spoken of as if they were walking over the burned bodies of their enemies. (See: Metaphor)

The Israelites’ enemies are spoken of as having been burned to ashes (Malachi 4:1).

Malachi 4:4

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word teaching, you could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “taught.” Alternate translation: “Remember what I taught my servant Moses” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Here “Remember” stands for “Think about” and, at the same time, “Obey.”

This is another name for Sinai.

Here “all Israel” is a reference to all the people in the nation of Israel. (See: Metonymy)

These are the laws that God gave Israel for all time.

These are legal decisions meant to make clear how the general statutes apply to everyday life.

Malachi 4:5

Here the occurrence of this day is spoken of as if it were coming. Alternate translation: “before the great and fearful day of Yahweh happens” (See: Metaphor)

This expression refers to any time in which Yahweh acts decisively.

Malachi 4:6

Here changing how people think is spoken of as if it were turning their hearts. (See: Metaphor)