Malachi 3:5

Authorized King James Version

And 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְקָרַבְתִּ֣י
H7126
And I will come near
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#2
אֲלֵיכֶם֮
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
לַמִּשְׁפָּט֒
H4941
to you to judgment
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#4
וְהָיִ֣יתִי׀
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#5
עֵ֣ד
H5707
witness
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
#6
מְמַהֵ֗ר
H4116
and I will be a swift
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
#7
בַּֽמְכַשְּׁפִים֙
H3784
against the sorcerers
properly, to whisper a spell, i.e., to inchant or practise magic
#8
וּבַמְנָ֣אֲפִ֔ים
H5003
and against the adulterers
to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize
#9
וּבַנִּשְׁבָּעִ֖ים
H7650
swearers
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
#10
לַשָּׁ֑קֶר
H8267
and against false
an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
#11
וּבְעֹשְׁקֵ֣י
H6231
and against those that oppress
to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
#12
שְׂכַר
H7939
in his wages
payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit
#13
שָׂ֠כִיר
H7916
the hireling
a man who is hired by the day or year
#14
אַלְמָנָ֨ה
H490
the widow
a widow; also a desolate place
#15
וְיָת֤וֹם
H3490
and the fatherless
a bereaved person
#16
וּמַטֵּי
H5186
and that turn aside
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
#17
גֵר֙
H1616
the stranger
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
#18
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#19
יְרֵא֔וּנִי
H3372
from his right and fear
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#20
אָמַ֖ר
H559
not me saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#21
יְהוָ֥ה
H3068
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#22
צְבָאֽוֹת׃
H6635
of hosts
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Malachi. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection