Malachi 2

Warning to the Priests

1 And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. Parallel theme: Malachi 1:6, Jeremiah 13:13, Hosea 5:1

2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. Glory: Luke 17:18, 1 Peter 4:11, Revelation 14:7, 16:9. Curse: Malachi 3:9. Parallel theme: Psalms 69:22, Ezekiel 3:7 +2

3 Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it. Parallel theme: Malachi 2:9, Exodus 29:14, 1 Kings 14:10, Joel 1:17, Nahum 3:6

4 And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenantCovenant: בְּרִית (Berit). The Hebrew berit (בְּרִית) denotes a covenant—a binding agreement, often ratified by blood sacrifice. God's covenants (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic) structure redemptive history, culminating in the New Covenant. might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. References Lord: Ezekiel 38:23. Word: Jeremiah 28:9. Parallel theme: Numbers 3:12, Matthew 3:12, John 15:2

5 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. Covenant: Ezekiel 34:25, 37:26. Parallel theme: Numbers 3:45, 8:15

6 The lawLaw: תּוֹרָה (Torah). The Hebrew Torah (תּוֹרָה) means law or instruction—God's revealed will for His people. The Law includes moral, civil, and ceremonial commandments, revealing God's character and humanity's need for a Savior. of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. Word: Jeremiah 23:22, Luke 1:6. Sin: Acts 26:18. Truth: Matthew 22:16. Parallel theme: Genesis 6:9, 17:1, Psalms 37:30, Daniel 12:3, Luke 20:21, Revelation 14:5 +5

7 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. of hosts. References Lord: Leviticus 10:11, 2 Chronicles 30:22, Jeremiah 15:19. Word: Deuteronomy 21:5, Ezra 7:10, Isaiah 44:26, Jeremiah 18:18. Parallel theme: Acts 16:17, 2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 4:8 +5

8 But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. Covenant: Malachi 2:5, Nehemiah 13:29. References Lord: 1 Samuel 2:17, Jeremiah 17:5. Parallel theme: Isaiah 30:11, Jeremiah 18:15, Ezekiel 44:10 +2

9 Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law. Word: Malachi 2:8. Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 1:17, 1 Samuel 2:30, 1 Kings 22:28, Ezekiel 13:21, Luke 10:29, 11:42, Galatians 2:6 +3

11 Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange godGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity.. Parallel theme: Revelation 21:8

12 The LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.

13 And this have ye done again, covering the altarAltar: מִזְבֵּחַ (Mizbeach). The Hebrew mizbeach (מִזְבֵּחַ) means altar—from the root 'to slaughter.' Altars were places where sacrifices were offered to God, pointing forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice. of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand. Sacrifice: Jeremiah 14:12

14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. Covenant: Proverbs 2:17, Ezekiel 16:8. References Lord: Isaiah 54:6, Jeremiah 8:12. Witness: Malachi 3:5, Genesis 31:50, Jeremiah 42:5. Parallel theme: Malachi 2:15, Proverbs 30:20, Ecclesiastes 9:9 +5

15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spiritSpirit: רוּחַ (Ruach). The Hebrew ruach (רוּחַ) means spirit, wind, or breath—invisible but powerful. It describes both the Holy Spirit and the human spirit. God's Spirit gives life and empowers His people.. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. Spirit: Job 27:3. Parallel theme: Malachi 2:14, Proverbs 6:25, 7:25, Jeremiah 2:21, Matthew 15:19, 1 Corinthians 7:14, 2 Corinthians 6:18, Ephesians 6:4, Titus 1:6 +5

16 For the LORD, the GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity. of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. References Lord: Isaiah 50:1. Parallel theme: Proverbs 28:13, Isaiah 59:6, Luke 16:18

17 Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgmentJudgment: מִשְׁפָּט (Mishpat). The Hebrew mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) means judgment or justice—God's righteous decisions and ordinances. God is the Judge of all the earth who 'shall do right' (Genesis 18:25), executing perfect justice.? Judgment: Job 36:17, Isaiah 30:18. References God: Isaiah 7:13. References Lord: Jeremiah 15:6. Evil: Ecclesiastes 8:11, Zephaniah 1:12. Parallel theme: Job 34:17, Isaiah 1:14, 43:24, Amos 2:13 +5