Malachi 3:16
Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Original Language Analysis
אָ֧ז
H227
נִדְבְּר֛וּ
spake often
H1696
נִדְבְּר֛וּ
spake often
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
2 of 18
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
יְהוָ֔ה
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אִ֣ישׁ
one
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 18
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)
אֶל
H854
אֶל
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
יְהוָ֔ה
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיִּשְׁמָ֔ע
and heard
H8085
וַיִּשְׁמָ֔ע
and heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
10 of 18
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וַ֠יִּכָּתֵב
was written
H3789
וַ֠יִּכָּתֵב
was written
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
11 of 18
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
סֵ֣פֶר
it and a book
H5612
סֵ֣פֶר
it and a book
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
זִכָּר֤וֹן
of remembrance
H2146
זִכָּר֤וֹן
of remembrance
Strong's:
H2146
Word #:
13 of 18
a memento (or memorable thing, day or writing)
לְפָנָיו֙
before
H6440
לְפָנָיו֙
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
14 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לְיִרְאֵ֣י
H3372
יְהוָ֔ה
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Revelation 20:12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.Psalms 56:8Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?Revelation 15:4Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.Malachi 4:2But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.Hebrews 10:24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:1 Thessalonians 5:11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.Malachi 3:5And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.Isaiah 26:3Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.Acts 9:31Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.Acts 10:2A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
Historical Context
In Malachi's time, many questioned God's justice and complained that serving Him was unprofitable (3:14-15). Yet a remnant maintained faith, encouraging each other through conversation and mutual support. This models the church as covenant community where believers "exhort one another daily" (Hebrews 3:13) and don't forsake assembling together (Hebrews 10:25). The "book of remembrance" assures that though the wicked prosper temporarily, God keeps perfect records and will vindicate the faithful at the final judgment (Revelation 20:12).
Questions for Reflection
- How does mutual encouragement among believers strengthen faith during times of spiritual decline?
- What does God's "book of remembrance" teach about His attentiveness to our faithfulness?
- How do you "think upon [God's] name" in daily meditation and worship?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name." Amid widespread apostasy (3:13-15), a faithful remnant emerges. "They that feared the LORD" describes those who revere God despite surrounding skepticism. "Spake often one to another" (nidbar) indicates mutual encouragement—believers strengthening each other's faith. "The LORD hearkened" (hiqshiv) and "heard" (shama) emphasizes God's attentive response. "A book of remembrance" (sepher zikkaron) records their faithfulness—like Esther 6:1-2, God remembers and rewards. "That thought upon his name" (choshvei shemo) describes meditation on God's character and worship.