Bible Commentary


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1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

2 I have loved you, said the LORD. Yet you say, Wherein have you loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? said the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,

3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

4 Whereas Edom said, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus said the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD has indignation for ever.

5 And your eyes shall see, and you shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.

6 A son honors his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is my honor? and if I be a master, where is my fear? said the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, that despise my name. And you say, Wherein have we despised your name?

7 You offer polluted bread on my altar; and you say, Wherein have we polluted you? In that you say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.

8 And if you offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now to your governor; will he be pleased with you, or accept your person? said the LORD of hosts.

9 And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious to us: this has been by your means: will he regard your persons? said the LORD of hosts.

10 Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nothing? neither do you kindle fire on my altar for nothing. I have no pleasure in you, said the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

11 For from the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered to my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, said the LORD of hosts.

12 But you have profaned it, in that you say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.

13 You said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and you have snuffed at it, said the LORD of hosts; and you brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus you brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? said the LORD.

14 But cursed be the deceiver, which has in his flock a male, and vows, and sacrifices to the LORD a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, said the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.


burden: Isa 13:1, Hab 1:1, Zec 9:1, Zec 12:1

by: Heb. by the hand of, Hag 1:1, Hag 2:1, *marg.

Reciprocal: 1Ki 10:29 - their means 2Ki 9:25 - the Lord Jer 23:14 - Sodom Jer 23:33 - What Eze 12:10 - This

I have: The prophet shows in Mal 1:2-5, how much Jacob and the Israelites were favoured by Jehovah, more than Esau and the Edomites. Through every period of the history of Jacob’s posterity, they could not deny that God had remarkably appeared on their behalf; but he had rendered the heritage of Esau’s descendants, by wars and various other means, barren and waste forever. Deu 7:6-8, Deu 10:15, Deu 32:8-14, Isa 41:8, Isa 41:9, Isa 43:4, Jer 31:3, Rom 11:28, Rom 11:29

Wherein: Mal 1:6, Mal 1:7, Mal 2:17, Mal 3:7, Mal 3:8, Mal 3:13, Mal 3:14, Jer 2:5, Jer 2:31, Luk 10:29

yet I: Gen 25:23, Gen 27:27-30, Gen 27:33, Gen 28:3, Gen 28:4, Gen 28:13, Gen 28:14, Gen 32:28-30, Gen 48:4, Rom 9:10-13

Reciprocal: Gen 27:29 - be lord Num 20:14 - thy brother Deu 4:37 - because Deu 23:5 - because the Deu 23:7 - he is thy Deu 33:3 - he loved 1Sa 12:22 - it hath 1Ki 11:15 - after he had 2Ki 3:8 - the wilderness of Edom 1Ch 1:34 - The sons of Isaac Psa 44:3 - because Psa 47:4 - whom Isa 21:11 - me out Jer 25:21 - Edom Lam 4:21 - the cup Eze 16:8 - thy time Eze 36:5 - against all Hos 11:1 - Israel Amo 1:11 - because Mat 1:2 - Isaac begat Mar 3:8 - Idumaea Luk 14:26 - hate Rom 9:13 - Jacob

hated: Gen 29:30, Gen 29:31, Deu 21:15, Deu 21:16, Luk 14:26

laid: Isa 34:9-12, Jer 49:16-18, Eze 25:13, Eze 25:14, Eze 36:3, Eze 36:4, Eze 36:7, Eze 36:9, Eze 36:14, Eze 36:15, Joe 3:19, Oba 1:10, Oba 1:18, Oba 1:19-21

the: Isa 13:21, Isa 13:22, Isa 34:13, Isa 34:14, Isa 35:7, Jer 9:11, Jer 51:37

Reciprocal: Gen 36:8 - mount Seir 1Ki 11:15 - after he had 2Ki 3:8 - the wilderness of Edom Job 30:29 - a brother Job 31:40 - thistles Psa 44:3 - because Psa 68:6 - the rebellious Isa 34:10 - from Isa 34:11 - stretch Jer 10:22 - a den Jer 49:7 - Edom Jer 49:10 - I have made Jer 49:13 - a desolation Jer 49:20 - make Jer 49:33 - a dwelling Eze 32:29 - Edom Eze 35:4 - lay Eze 35:9 - perpetual Mal 1:4 - The people Mat 1:2 - Isaac begat Rom 9:13 - Jacob

but: Isa 9:9, Isa 9:10, Jas 4:13-16

They shall build: Job 9:4, Job 12:14, Job 34:29, Psa 127:1, Pro 21:30, Isa 10:4, Isa 10:15, Isa 10:16, Lam 3:37, Mat 12:30

The border: Jer 31:17, Eze 11:10, Amo 6:2

The people: Mal 1:3, Psa 137:7, Isa 11:14, Isa 34:5, Isa 34:10, Isa 63:1-6, Lam 4:21, Lam 4:22, Eze 25:14, Eze 35:9

Reciprocal: Jos 6:26 - Cursed Jdg 6:6 - impoverished Isa 34:11 - stretch Isa 64:9 - remember Jer 22:14 - I will Jer 49:7 - Edom Jer 49:10 - I have made Jer 49:13 - a desolation Jer 49:20 - make Lam 2:2 - he hath thrown Eze 25:13 - I will also Eze 26:14 - be built Eze 32:29 - Edom Eze 35:4 - lay Hos 2:9 - will I Joe 3:19 - Edom Amo 1:11 - Edom Amo 9:12 - Edom Oba 1:1 - concerning Oba 1:3 - pride Oba 1:10 - and Oba 1:19 - the south Hab 2:13 - is it Mal 3:18 - shall

your: Deu 4:3, Deu 11:7, Jos 24:7, 1Sa 12:16, 2Ch 29:8, Luk 10:23, Luk 10:24

The Lord: Psa 35:26, Psa 35:27, Psa 58:10, Psa 58:11, Psa 83:17, Psa 83:18, Eze 38:16, Eze 38:23, Eze 39:21, Eze 39:22

from: or, upon, Heb. from upon

Reciprocal: Jos 23:3 - And ye Psa 52:6 - righteous Psa 91:8 - Only Eze 39:9 - shall go Oba 1:19 - the south Mic 7:10 - mine

son: Exo 20:12, Lev 19:3, Deu 5:16, Pro 30:11, Pro 30:17, Mat 15:4, Mat 15:6, Mat 19:19, Mar 7:10, Mar 10:19, Luk 18:20, Eph 6:2

a servant: 1Ti 6:1, 1Ti 6:2, Tit 2:9, Tit 2:10, 1Pe 2:17-19

if then: From this verse to Mal 2:9, the prophet reproves the priests and people for sacrificing the refuse of beasts; and denounces punishment against the former for not teaching the people their duty in this respect. Exo 4:22, Exo 4:23, Isa 1:2, Isa 64:8, Jer 31:9, Mat 6:9, Mat 6:14, Mat 6:15, Luk 6:36, Luk 6:46, 1Pe 1:17

and if: Mat 7:21, Luk 6:46, Joh 13:13-17

O priests: Mal 2:8, 1Sa 2:28-30, Jer 5:30, Jer 5:31, Jer 23:11, Eze 22:26, Hos 4:6, Hos 5:1

And ye: Mal 2:14-17, Mal 3:7, Mal 3:8, Mal 3:13, Mal 3:14, Jer 2:21, Jer 2:22, Hos 12:8, Luk 10:29

Reciprocal: Lev 21:6 - profane Num 11:20 - despised 1Sa 2:30 - them 2Sa 12:10 - because 2Ki 5:13 - My father Neh 13:10 - the portions Isa 45:10 - General Isa 63:16 - thou art Jer 23:17 - that despise Jer 35:16 - General Eze 22:8 - General Mal 1:2 - Wherein Mal 1:12 - ye have Mal 2:10 - all Mal 2:17 - Wherein Mal 3:3 - the sons Mal 3:17 - son Mat 7:11 - how Mat 22:21 - and Mat 23:9 - for Mat 25:44 - when Mar 12:17 - and to Mar 14:45 - Master Luk 7:40 - Master Luk 10:16 - despiseth him Luk 11:42 - and pass Luk 18:18 - Good Joh 8:41 - we have Joh 8:42 - If Eph 6:5 - be Col 3:20 - obey Col 3:22 - obey 1Th 3:11 - God Heb 12:9 - shall we not

Ye offer: etc. or, Bring unto my, etc

polluted: Lev 2:11, Lev 21:6, Deu 15:21

The table: Mal 1:12, 1Sa 2:15-17, Eze 41:22, 1Co 10:21, 1Co 11:21, 1Co 11:22, 1Co 11:27-32

Reciprocal: Exo 12:5 - be without Exo 25:30 - General Lev 3:11 - the food Lev 22:25 - the bread Num 18:32 - pollute Num 28:2 - my bread 2Sa 12:10 - because Jer 34:16 - polluted Eze 23:41 - a table Eze 40:39 - tables on that Eze 44:7 - when Eze 44:16 - to my table Mal 1:2 - Wherein Mal 1:13 - torn Mal 2:14 - Wherefore Mal 2:17 - Wherein Mat 26:8 - To

if ye offer the blind: Mal 1:14, Lev 22:19-25, Deu 15:21

for sacrifice: Heb. to sacrifice

or accept: Mal 1:10, Mal 1:13, Job 42:8, Psa 20:3, Jer 14:10, Hos 8:13

Reciprocal: Gen 4:7 - If thou doest well Exo 12:5 - be without Lev 3:1 - without Lev 22:20 - General Lev 22:22 - Blind Lev 22:25 - the bread Num 18:30 - the best Deu 17:1 - General Deu 33:11 - accept Psa 4:5 - Offer Eze 45:15 - out of the fat Mal 1:12 - ye have Mal 3:8 - In Rom 2:22 - sacrilege

beseech: 2Ch 30:27, Jer 27:18, Joe 1:13, Joe 1:14, Joe 2:17, Zec 3:1-5, Joh 9:31, Heb 7:26, Heb 7:27

God: Heb. the face of God, Exo 32:11, Jer 26:19, *marg. Lam 2:19

by your means: Heb. from your hand

will he: Act 19:15, Act 19:16, Rom 2:11, 1Pe 1:17

Reciprocal: Gen 43:29 - my son Num 6:25 - gracious 1Sa 4:4 - Hophni 1Sa 12:19 - Pray for thy Job 22:30 - pureness Job 42:8 - him Eze 13:5 - have not Hos 9:4 - neither Hos 13:9 - thou 1Ti 2:8 - lifting

Who: Instead of mi "who," one manuscript (30; K) with the LXX reads ki "surely," which is adopted by Houbigant and Abp. Newcome, who renders, "Surely the doors shall be closed against you, neither shall ye kindle the fire of my altar in vain."

even: Job 1:9-11, Isa 56:11, Isa 56:12, Jer 6:13, Jer 8:10, Mic 3:11, Joh 10:12, Php 2:21, 1Pe 5:2

neither: 1Co 9:13

I have: Isa 1:11-15, Jer 6:20, Amo 5:21-24, Heb 10:38

Reciprocal: Gen 4:7 - If thou doest well Lev 1:7 - fire Lev 7:18 - it shall Lev 10:19 - should Jdg 18:4 - hired me 1Sa 2:14 - all that the fleshhook 1Sa 3:15 - opened 1Ki 13:7 - I will give 2Ki 12:6 - the priests 1Ch 9:27 - the opening 2Ch 29:7 - General Neh 6:10 - let us shut Ecc 5:1 - give Ecc 5:4 - for Isa 1:13 - vain Eze 13:19 - for handfuls Hos 4:8 - set their heart on their iniquity Hos 9:4 - neither Amo 7:12 - eat Mal 1:8 - or accept Mat 25:18 - and hid Luk 10:31 - priest Joh 12:5 - was Rom 16:18 - but 1Co 9:17 - against Php 4:17 - because 1Th 2:5 - a cloak 1Ti 2:8 - lifting 1Ti 3:3 - not covetous 1Ti 6:10 - the love Heb 10:6 - thou 2Pe 2:3 - through

from: As the preceding verse was a prediction of the abolition of the Levitical priesthood, so this is a prophecy of the conversion of the Gentiles, and the spiritual priesthood of the Gospel times. As none but priests of Aaron’s race might burn incense before Jehovah, a total change of the external administration of the sacred ordinances is evidently predicted. Psa 50:1, Psa 113:3, Isa 45:6, Isa 59:19, Zec 8:7

my name: Mal 1:14, Psa 22:27-31, Psa 67:2, Psa 72:11-17, Psa 98:1-3, Isa 11:9, Isa 11:10, Isa 45:22, Isa 45:23, Isa 49:6, Isa 49:7, Isa 49:22, Isa 49:23, Isa 54:1-3, Isa 54:5, Isa 60:1-11, Isa 60:16-22, Isa 66:19, Isa 66:20, Amo 9:12, Mic 5:4, Zep 3:9, Zec 8:20-23, Mat 6:9, Mat 6:10, Mat 28:19, Act 15:17, Act 15:18, Rev 11:15, Rev 15:4

and in: Isa 24:14-16, Isa 42:10-12, Zep 2:11, Joh 4:21-23, Act 10:30-35, Rom 15:9-11, Rom 15:16, 1Ti 2:8, Rev 8:3

incense: Psa 141:2, Isa 60:6, Luk 1:10, Rom 12:1, Php 4:18, Heb 13:15, Heb 13:16, Rev 5:8, Rev 8:3, Rev 8:4

for: Isa 66:19, Isa 66:20

Reciprocal: Gen 9:27 - dwell Exo 9:16 - that my Exo 20:24 - in all places Lev 2:1 - frankincense Lev 2:14 - a meat offering Lev 17:8 - that offereth Lev 21:6 - profane Num 7:32 - incense Num 15:4 - a meat Num 16:46 - and put 1Ki 13:1 - burn Psa 4:5 - Offer Psa 45:17 - I will Psa 48:10 - According Psa 49:1 - inhabitants Psa 66:4 - General Psa 67:7 - all the Psa 72:19 - and let Psa 95:3 - a great Psa 96:8 - bring Psa 96:10 - Say Psa 111:9 - holy Psa 138:5 - for great Ecc 5:1 - give Son 4:6 - the mountain Isa 5:26 - end Isa 14:1 - the strangers Isa 18:7 - shall the Isa 19:21 - and shall Isa 24:15 - isles Isa 27:13 - and shall Isa 37:20 - that all Isa 56:7 - them will Isa 66:23 - shall all Jer 10:6 - thou Jer 16:19 - Gentiles Eze 20:40 - there shall Eze 39:21 - I will set Eze 47:8 - the waters Dan 2:45 - the great Hos 2:23 - Thou art my God Mic 4:1 - and people Zep 3:10 - General Zec 2:11 - many Zec 14:20 - shall there Mal 3:3 - an Mat 2:11 - frankincense Mat 8:11 - That Mar 4:31 - is less than Mar 12:9 - and will Luk 13:29 - General Luk 14:23 - Go Luk 21:24 - until Luk 24:47 - among Act 7:49 - what house Act 11:1 - the Gentiles Act 13:47 - that thou Rom 1:5 - for his name Rom 3:29 - General Php 3:3 - worship Col 3:11 - there 1Th 1:9 - ye 1Pe 2:5 - spiritual

ye have: Mal 1:6, Mal 1:8, Mal 2:8, 2Sa 12:14, Eze 36:21-23, Amo 2:7, Rom 2:24

The table: Mal 1:7, Mal 1:13, Num 11:4-8, Dan 5:3, Dan 5:4

Reciprocal: Exo 25:30 - General Exo 37:10 - General Lev 3:11 - the food Lev 18:21 - profane Lev 21:6 - profane Lev 22:25 - the bread Lev 24:9 - Aaron’s Num 28:2 - my bread 1Sa 2:29 - kick ye 2Sa 24:24 - Nay 1Ki 7:48 - the table 1Ch 21:24 - Nay 2Ch 4:8 - ten tables Jer 24:2 - naughty Jer 34:16 - polluted Eze 22:8 - General Eze 40:39 - tables on that Eze 41:22 - This is Eze 44:7 - when Eze 44:16 - to my table Mat 25:24 - I knew Mar 14:4 - Why Luk 15:29 - yet Php 3:19 - whose God

Behold: 1Sa 2:29, Isa 43:22, Amo 8:5, Mic 6:3, Mar 14:4, Mar 14:5, Mar 14:37, Mar 14:38

and ye have snuffed at it: or, whereas ye might have blown it away

torn: Mal 1:7, Mal 1:8, Lev 22:8, Lev 22:19-23, Deu 15:21, Eze 4:14, Eze 44:31

should I accept: Mal 2:13, Isa 1:12, Isa 57:6, Jer 7:9-11, Jer 7:21-24, Amo 5:21-23, Zec 7:5, Zec 7:6, Mat 6:1, Mat 6:2, Mat 6:5, Mat 6:16

Reciprocal: Gen 4:7 - If thou doest well Exo 29:1 - without Lev 7:18 - it shall Lev 10:19 - should Lev 22:20 - General Lev 23:18 - seven lambs Num 6:14 - one ewe Num 19:2 - no blemish Num 28:19 - they shall Num 28:31 - without blemish Deu 17:1 - General 1Sa 2:36 - eat Job 21:15 - and what Isa 43:23 - hast not Mal 1:12 - The table Mal 3:8 - In Mat 20:12 - borne Mat 25:24 - I knew Mat 26:8 - To Luk 15:29 - yet Gal 6:9 - us 2Th 3:13 - ye

cursed: Mal 3:9, Gen 27:12, Jos 7:11, Jos 7:12, Jer 48:10, Mat 24:51, Luk 12:1, Luk 12:2, Luk 12:46, Act 5:1-10, Rev 21:8

which hath in his flock: or, in whose flock is, Ecc 5:4, Ecc 5:5, Mar 12:41-44, Mar 14:8, 2Co 8:12

for: Mal 1:8, Mal 1:11, Deu 28:58, Psa 47:2, Psa 48:2, Psa 95:3, Isa 57:15, Jer 10:10, Dan 4:37, Zec 14:9, Mat 5:35, 1Ti 6:15

my name: Psa 68:35, Psa 76:12, Dan 9:4, Heb 12:29, Rev 15:4

Reciprocal: Gen 18:7 - General Exo 9:16 - that my Exo 12:5 - be without Exo 29:1 - without Lev 1:3 - a male Lev 1:10 - a male Lev 3:1 - without Lev 22:20 - General Lev 23:18 - seven lambs Lev 27:11 - General Num 6:14 - one ewe Num 19:2 - no blemish Num 28:19 - they shall Num 28:31 - without blemish Deu 17:1 - General Deu 23:18 - any vow Job 21:15 - and what Psa 48:10 - According Psa 96:10 - Say Psa 145:1 - my God Isa 43:23 - hast not Isa 43:24 - filled me Isa 44:6 - the King Jer 46:18 - saith Jer 48:15 - saith Jer 51:57 - the king Eze 45:15 - out of the fat Zec 14:16 - the King Joh 10:29 - is greater Act 5:2 - kept Rom 1:5 - for his name Rom 2:22 - sacrilege 1Ti 1:17 - the King