But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.
But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen. God pronounces curse on the deceiver (נוֹכֵל, nokhel)—one who deals deceitfully, acts treacherously. This person has in his flock a male (יֵשׁ בְּעֶדְרוֹ זָכָר, yesh be'edro zakhar)—a healthy male animal suitable for sacrifice. He voweth (נֹדֵר, noder)—makes a vow to God promising the best animal. But then he sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing (זֹבֵחַ מָשְׁחָת, zove'aḥ moshḥat)—offers something defective, blemished, corrupted instead. מָשְׁחָת (moshḥat, corrupt) indicates something marred, spoiled, unfit.
This is deliberate deception: promising God the best, giving Him defective substitutes. The motivation: greed—keeping valuable animals while appearing pious. God's response: cursed be the deceiver (אָרוּר נוֹכֵל, arur nokhel). אָרוּר (arur) invokes covenant curse (Deuteronomy 27-28). Ananias and Sapphira exemplify this in Acts 5:1-11—they claimed to give everything but kept back part, lying to the Holy Spirit. God struck them dead.
The reason for severity: for I am a great King (כִּי מֶלֶךְ גָּדוֹל אָנִי, ki melekh gadol ani). God's greatness demands excellence, not leftovers. My name is dreadful among the heathen (וּשְׁמִי נוֹרָא בַגּוֹיִם, ushmi nora va-goyim). נוֹרָא (nora) means feared, revered, awesome. Even pagans recognize God's majesty; only His own people treat Him with contempt.
Historical Context
The practice of making vows pervaded ancient Israel's worship (Leviticus 27, Numbers 30, Deuteronomy 23:21-23). Vows were voluntary but once made, became obligatory—breaking them brought curse. The deceiver in Malachi 1:14 made a public vow (perhaps in temple worship) promising God a valuable male animal, but then privately substituted a defective one, hoping no one would notice. This combines sacrilege (offering unacceptable sacrifice) with deception (breaking vows) and greed (keeping the best for self). Jesus condemned similar hypocrisy in Pharisees who made elaborate vows while neglecting justice and mercy (Matthew 23:16-22). Paul warned against making vows rashly (Acts 23:12-14 describes men who vowed not to eat until they killed Paul). The New Testament encourages making commitments carefully and keeping them faithfully (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6, James 5:12).
Questions for Reflection
How might we be guilty of 'bait and switch' with God—promising one thing but delivering less?
What does God's identity as 'great King' demand regarding the quality and sincerity of what we offer Him?
How does the irony that pagans fear God's name while His people despise it challenge our casual approach to worship?
Analysis & Commentary
But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen. God pronounces curse on the deceiver (נוֹכֵל, nokhel)—one who deals deceitfully, acts treacherously. This person has in his flock a male (יֵשׁ בְּעֶדְרוֹ זָכָר, yesh be'edro zakhar)—a healthy male animal suitable for sacrifice. He voweth (נֹדֵר, noder)—makes a vow to God promising the best animal. But then he sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing (זֹבֵחַ מָשְׁחָת, zove'aḥ moshḥat)—offers something defective, blemished, corrupted instead. מָשְׁחָת (moshḥat, corrupt) indicates something marred, spoiled, unfit.
This is deliberate deception: promising God the best, giving Him defective substitutes. The motivation: greed—keeping valuable animals while appearing pious. God's response: cursed be the deceiver (אָרוּר נוֹכֵל, arur nokhel). אָרוּר (arur) invokes covenant curse (Deuteronomy 27-28). Ananias and Sapphira exemplify this in Acts 5:1-11—they claimed to give everything but kept back part, lying to the Holy Spirit. God struck them dead.
The reason for severity: for I am a great King (כִּי מֶלֶךְ גָּדוֹל אָנִי, ki melekh gadol ani). God's greatness demands excellence, not leftovers. My name is dreadful among the heathen (וּשְׁמִי נוֹרָא בַגּוֹיִם, ushmi nora va-goyim). נוֹרָא (nora) means feared, revered, awesome. Even pagans recognize God's majesty; only His own people treat Him with contempt.