Malachi 1:11

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִמִּזְרַח For from the rising H4217
מִמִּזְרַח For from the rising
Strong's: H4217
Word #: 2 of 22
sunrise, i.e., the east
שֶׁ֜מֶשׁ of the sun H8121
שֶׁ֜מֶשׁ of the sun
Strong's: H8121
Word #: 3 of 22
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
וְעַד H5704
וְעַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 4 of 22
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מְבוֹא֗וֹ even unto the going down H3996
מְבוֹא֗וֹ even unto the going down
Strong's: H3996
Word #: 5 of 22
an entrance (the place or the act); specifically sunset or the west; also (adverb with preposition) towards
גָד֤וֹל shall be great H1419
גָד֤וֹל shall be great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 6 of 22
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
שְׁמִי֙ for my name H8034
שְׁמִי֙ for my name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 7 of 22
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם among the Gentiles H1471
בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם among the Gentiles
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 8 of 22
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וּבְכָל H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 9 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מָק֗וֹם and in every place H4725
מָק֗וֹם and in every place
Strong's: H4725
Word #: 10 of 22
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
מֻקְטָ֥ר incense H6999
מֻקְטָ֥ר incense
Strong's: H6999
Word #: 11 of 22
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
מֻגָּ֛שׁ shall be offered H5066
מֻגָּ֛שׁ shall be offered
Strong's: H5066
Word #: 12 of 22
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
שְׁמִי֙ for my name H8034
שְׁמִי֙ for my name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 13 of 22
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וּמִנְחָ֣ה offering H4503
וּמִנְחָ֣ה offering
Strong's: H4503
Word #: 14 of 22
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
טְהוֹרָ֑ה and a pure H2889
טְהוֹרָ֑ה and a pure
Strong's: H2889
Word #: 15 of 22
pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 16 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
גָד֤וֹל shall be great H1419
גָד֤וֹל shall be great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 17 of 22
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
שְׁמִי֙ for my name H8034
שְׁמִי֙ for my name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 18 of 22
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם among the Gentiles H1471
בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם among the Gentiles
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 19 of 22
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אָמַ֖ר saith H559
אָמַ֖ר saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 20 of 22
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֥ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 21 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָאֽוֹת׃ of hosts H6635
צְבָאֽוֹת׃ of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 22 of 22
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

Analysis & Commentary

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. In stunning contrast to Israel's corrupt worship (v. 10), God announces global worship. From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same (מִמִּזְרַח־שֶׁמֶשׁ וְעַד־מְבוֹאוֹ, mim-mizraḥ-shemesh ve'ad-mevo'o)—from east to west, encompassing all nations. My name shall be great among the Gentiles (גָּדוֹל שְׁמִי בַגּוֹיִם, gadol shemi va-goyim). גּוֹיִם (goyim, Gentiles/nations) will honor God's name while Israel despises it (v. 6).

In every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering (וּבְכָל־מָקוֹם מֻקְטָר מֻגָּשׁ לִשְׁמִי וּמִנְחָה טְהוֹרָה, uv-khol-maqom muqtar muggash lishmi u-minḥah teḥorah). This contrasts with Israel's polluted offerings (v. 7). טָהוֹר (tahor, pure) means clean, ritually pure—everything the priests' sacrifices weren't. The prophecy describes worship freed from Jerusalem's temple, occurring in every place, offered by Gentiles, yet acceptable to God.

This finds fulfillment in the gospel age. Christ's sacrifice removes geographical restrictions on worship (John 4:21-24). Believers from all nations offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ (Romans 15:16, Philippians 2:17, 1 Peter 2:5, Hebrews 13:15-16).

Historical Context

This prophecy was scandalous to first-century Jews who believed acceptable worship required Jerusalem's temple, Levitical priesthood, and Mosaic ritual. Yet Malachi announced that Gentiles—considered unclean outsiders—would offer pure worship while Jewish priests offered polluted sacrifices. This anticipated the gospel's universal scope. After Pentecost, the Spirit fell on Gentiles (Acts 10), Paul became apostle to the nations, and churches multiplied throughout the Roman Empire. By AD 70, when the temple was destroyed, Christianity had already spread globally. Today, believers from every nation offer acceptable worship through Christ, fulfilling Malachi's vision.

Questions for Reflection