Malachi 2:5

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

בְּרִיתִ֣י׀ My covenant H1285
בְּרִיתִ֣י׀ My covenant
Strong's: H1285
Word #: 1 of 13
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
הָיְתָ֣ה H1961
הָיְתָ֣ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 2 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִתּ֗וֹ H854
אִתּ֗וֹ
Strong's: H854
Word #: 3 of 13
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
הַֽחַיִּים֙ was with him of life H2416
הַֽחַיִּים֙ was with him of life
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 4 of 13
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וְהַ֨שָּׁל֔וֹם and peace H7965
וְהַ֨שָּׁל֔וֹם and peace
Strong's: H7965
Word #: 5 of 13
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
וָאֶתְּנֵֽם and I gave H5414
וָאֶתְּנֵֽם and I gave
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 6 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
ל֥וֹ H0
ל֥וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 7 of 13
מוֹרָ֖א them to him for the fear H4172
מוֹרָ֖א them to him for the fear
Strong's: H4172
Word #: 8 of 13
fear; by implication, a fearful thing or deed
וַיִּֽירָאֵ֑נִי wherewith he feared H3372
וַיִּֽירָאֵ֑נִי wherewith he feared
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 9 of 13
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
וּמִפְּנֵ֥י before H6440
וּמִפְּנֵ֥י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 10 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
שְׁמִ֖י my name H8034
שְׁמִ֖י my name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 11 of 13
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
נִחַ֥ת me and was afraid H2865
נִחַ֥ת me and was afraid
Strong's: H2865
Word #: 12 of 13
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
הֽוּא׃ H1931
הֽוּא׃
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 13 of 13
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

Analysis & Commentary

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. God describes the original covenant with Levi: of life and peace (הַחַיִּים וְהַשָּׁלוֹם, haḥayyim vehashalom). חַיִּים (ḥayyim, life) and שָׁלוֹם (shalom, peace/wholeness) characterized the covenant blessings. I gave them to him (נָתַתִּי לוֹ, natatti lo)—God initiated and bestowed these gifts. The purpose: for the fear wherewith he feared me (מוֹרָא וַיִּירָאֵנִי, mora vayyira'eni). מוֹרָא (mora, fear/reverence) describes proper covenant response. The original Levites feared God, showing reverent awe. Was afraid before my name (וּמִפְּנֵי שְׁמִי נִחַת הוּא, u-mifenei shemi niḥat hu)—נִחַת (niḥat) means terrified, shattered, broken in reverent awe.

This contrasts sharply with the current priests who despise God's name (1:6). Where original Levites feared God, current priests treat Him with contempt. The covenant hasn't changed—the priests have.

Historical Context

Phinehas received God's covenant of peace (Numbers 25:12-13) for his zealous defense of God's honor when Israel sinned at Baal-peor. His reverent fear of God's name contrasted with Israel's apostasy. Similarly, the tribe of Levi stood with Moses after the golden calf incident, executing judgment on idolaters (Exodus 32:25-29). This zealous reverence earned them priestly privileges. Yet by Malachi's time, their descendants had abandoned that reverence. This pattern warns every generation: inherited covenant position doesn't guarantee personal faithfulness. Each generation must cultivate genuine fear of God.

Questions for Reflection