Malachi 3:18
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
Original Language Analysis
וְשַׁבְתֶּם֙
Then shall ye return
H7725
וְשַׁבְתֶּם֙
Then shall ye return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 11
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וּרְאִיתֶ֔ם
and discern
H7200
וּרְאִיתֶ֔ם
and discern
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
2 of 11
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
בֵּ֥ין
H996
בֵּ֥ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
3 of 11
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
לְרָשָׁ֑ע
and the wicked
H7563
לְרָשָׁ֑ע
and the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
5 of 11
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
בֵּ֚ין
H996
בֵּ֚ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
6 of 11
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
עֲבָדֽוֹ׃
and him that serveth
H5647
עֲבָדֽוֹ׃
and him that serveth
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
7 of 11
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 11
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לַאֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
לַאֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Matthew 25:46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.Genesis 18:25That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?Joshua 24:15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.Jeremiah 12:15And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.Acts 27:23For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,John 12:26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.Acts 16:17The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.1 Thessalonians 1:9For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;Malachi 1:4Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.Job 6:29Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
Historical Context
Written to a community confused by the apparent success of the wicked (3:15) and the suffering of the righteous, Malachi promises coming clarity. The 'book of remembrance' (3:16) records the faithful, ensuring none are forgotten. This hope of ultimate divine vindication became foundational to apocalyptic literature (Daniel, Revelation) and Jesus's teaching on final judgment (Matthew 25:31-46). The early church, facing similar persecution and theodicy questions, found comfort in Malachi's promise of visible eschatological distinction.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the promise of future vindication sustain faithfulness when present circumstances obscure the distinction between righteous and wicked?
- What does 'serving God' versus 'not serving Him' reveal about the nature of true righteousness beyond external religious performance?
- In what ways does contemporary culture blur the distinction Malachi promises God will make unmistakably clear?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked—שׁוּב (shuv, return) carries double meaning: geographic return from affliction and spiritual return to proper understanding. The וּרְאִיתֶם (ur'item, you shall see/discern) promises restored moral clarity after the refining fire of 3:2-3. בֵּין (bein, between) indicates sharp distinction—not gradations but binary categories: צַדִּיק (tsaddiq, righteous) versus רָשָׁע (rasha, wicked).
Between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not—עֹבֵד אֱלֹהִים (oved Elohim, one serving God) versus לֹא עֲבָדוֹ (lo avado, one not serving Him). The verb עָבַד (avad) means covenant service, not mere ritual observance. This verse answers 2:17's cynical question 'Where is the God of judgment?'—He will come (3:1) and make unmistakable distinction between genuine servants and fraudulent worshipers. The visible vindication will silence those who claimed God delights in evildoers (2:17). This eschatological hope sustained the faithful remnant through present ambiguity.