Malachi 2:6

Authorized King James Version

The law 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-by-Word Analysis
#1
תּוֹרַ֤ת
H8451
The law
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
#2
אֱמֶת֙
H571
of truth
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
#3
הָיְתָ֣ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#4
בְּפִ֔יהוּ
H6310
was in his mouth
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#5
וְעַוְלָ֖ה
H5766
and iniquity
(moral) evil
#6
לֹא
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#7
נִמְצָ֣א
H4672
was not found
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
#8
בִשְׂפָתָ֑יו
H8193
in his lips
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
#9
בְּשָׁל֤וֹם
H7965
with me in peace
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
#10
וּבְמִישׁוֹר֙
H4334
and equity
a level, i.e., a plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a proper name of certain districts); figuratively, concord; also straightness, i.e., (
#11
הָלַ֣ךְ
H1980
he walked
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#12
אִתִּ֔י
H854
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#13
וְרַבִּ֖ים
H7227
many
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
#14
הֵשִׁ֥יב
H7725
and did turn
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#15
מֵעָוֺֽן׃
H5771
from iniquity
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing peace contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Malachi Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes peace in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection