Malachi 2:12
The LORD 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.
Original Language Analysis
יַכְרֵ֨ת
will cut off
H3772
יַכְרֵ֨ת
will cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
1 of 13
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
The LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לָאִ֨ישׁ
the man
H376
לָאִ֨ישׁ
the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 13
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַעֲשֶׂ֙נָּה֙
that doeth
H6213
יַעֲשֶׂ֙נָּה֙
that doeth
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 13
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְעֹנֶ֔ה
and the scholar
H6030
וְעֹנֶ֔ה
and the scholar
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
מֵאָהֳלֵ֖י
out of the tabernacles
H168
מֵאָהֳלֵ֖י
out of the tabernacles
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
8 of 13
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
וּמַגִּ֣ישׁ
and him that offereth
H5066
וּמַגִּ֣ישׁ
and him that offereth
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
10 of 13
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
מִנְחָ֔ה
an offering
H4503
מִנְחָ֔ה
an offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
11 of 13
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
Historical Context
Post-exilic Judaism emphasized temple worship and sacrifice as markers of restored covenant relationship. Malachi shatters any notion that liturgical correctness excuses ethical treachery. The threatened 'cutting off' recalls the covenant curses of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28—expulsion from the land and community. For returned exiles who'd already experienced Babylonian exile, this warning carried terrifying weight.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern religious activities do people trust in while living in covenant-breaking relationships?
- How does God's rejection of worship from the treacherous challenge the separation of 'spiritual' and 'moral' life?
- Why is excommunication from the covenant community a more serious consequence than individual divine displeasure?
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar—the Hebrew phrase עֵר וְעֹנֶה (er v'oneh) is cryptic, literally 'one who rouses and one who answers,' possibly meaning teacher and student, or perhaps a merism for every man regardless of status. The LXX renders it 'until he be brought low,' suggesting complete destruction. The point is comprehensive judgment: covenant-breakers will be excommunicated from the tabernacles of Jacob—expelled from the covenant community.
And him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts—this devastating phrase reveals that religious activity provides no protection from covenant judgment. Even the man who brings sacrifices to the temple will be cut off if he violates marriage covenant. This echoes 1:10-14 where God rejects polluted offerings; here He rejects the offerer himself. Ritual cannot substitute for righteousness—a principle Jesus would later emphasize (Matthew 5:23-24).