1.
The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.
burden. See note on Isaiah 13:1 ; and compare Zechariah 9:1 ; Zechariah 12:1 , &c.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .
to. Not "concerning".
by = by the hand of.
Malachi. Hebrew = My messenger, relating to the five messengers in this book: see App-10 . Malachi himself (Malachi 1:1 ); (2) the true Priest (Malachi 2:7 ); (3) John the Baptist (Malachi 3:1 -); (4) the Messiah Himself (Malachi 3:1-3 ); (5) Elijah (Malachi 4:5 ). This last prophecy introduces the great fulfilment of Jehovah's prophecy by Moses, the first prophet to Israel, in Deuteronomy 18:15-19 . Compare Acts 3:18-26 ; Acts 7:37 .
2.
I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,
I have loved Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 7:8 ; Deuteronomy 10:15 ; Deuteronomy 33:3 ).
saith = hath said. Quoted in Romans 9:13 , Esau Jacob's. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for their posterities. Quoted in Romans 9:13 ,
saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.
3.
And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
dragons = jackals. Compare Isaiah 13:22 ; Isaiah 34:13 .Jeremiah 9:11 ; Jeremiah 10:22 ; Jeremiah 49:33 ; Jeremiah 51:37 .
4.
Whereas 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.
impoverished : or, beaten down.
saith hath said.
the LORD of hosts. This expression occurs twenty four times in this prophecy, and gives its character to the whole, as in Zechariah.
border: or, territory.
wickedness = lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha`. App-44 .
5.
And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.
6.
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
A son , &c. Ref to Pentateuch (Exodus 20:12 ), App-92 . Note the Figure of speech Anacoenosis ( App-6 ). An appeal to opponents as having a common interest. Compare Isaiah 5:4 .Luke 11:19 . Acts 4:19 . 1Co 4:21 ; 1 Corinthians 10:15 ; 1 Corinthians 11:13 , 1 Corinthians 11:14 Galatians 1:4 , Galatians 1:21 .
master. The Hebrew accents place the chief pause here, where the statement ends on which the appeal is based.
if then, &c. These two appeals are marked off by minor accents
My name: which is again marked off for special emphasis. (1) The argument is based on natural reverence; (2) the breach is shown in the case of Israel (Isaiah 41:8 . Hosea 11:1 ); (3) the conclusion being that the priests were guilty cause.
7.
Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.
Ye offer, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 15:21 ).
offer = bring nigh. Hebrew. nagash . App-43 .
is = it [is].
8.
And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.
if ye offer the blind, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 22:22 .Deuteronomy 15:21; Deuteronomy 15:21 ). App-92 .
and sick, is it not = and sick [saying], it is not evil.
9.
And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts.
I pray you, &c. Figure of speech Irony . App-6 .
GOD. Hebrew. El .
this hath been = this hath come to pass.
by your means = at your hands.
regard = accept.
10.
Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
you. Emph. i.e. you [priests].
offering = a gift offering. Hebrew. minchah . App-43 .
11.
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
For. See the Structure ("J" and "J", above) for the commentary.
Gentiles = nations.
heathen = nations, or Gentiles.
12.
But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.
it = Me. "Me" was the reading in the primitive text; but the Sopherim state they altered othi (Me) to otho (him, or it) out of a (mistaken) sense of reverence. See App-33 . Compare Malachi 3:9 ; and Ezekiel 13:19 .
table: i.e. the altar.
the LORD = Jehovah ( App-4 .). But this is one of 134 places which the Sopherim say they altered Jehovah to "Adonai".
13.
Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.
Behold Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6
and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ).
snuffed = puffed. "Snuffed" is an archaism for "sniffed" - complained by snivelling: i.e. pooh-poohed.
it = My altar. See note on Malachi 1:12 .
should I accept, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 22:20 ). App-92 .
14.
But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.
hath . Hebrew. yesh, See note on Lamentations 1:12 .