Bible Commentaries
Malachi 2

Verse 1

priests. .

this commandment. As to reformation.

Verse 2

If ye will not hear. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:14 .Deuteronomy 28:15; Deuteronomy 28:15 ). App-92 .

My name. See note on Psalms 20:1 .

the LORD of hosts. See note on Malachi 1:4 .

saith = hath said,

send a curse = send the curse. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:20 ). App-92 .

curse your blessings. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:2 ).

Verse 3

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos App-6 .

corrupt = rebuke; as in Malachi 3:11 .Psalms 106:9 . Isaiah 17:13 . Hebrew gaar. Occurs fourteen times. Always rendered rebuke" except here, and Jeremiah 29:27 ("reproved").

dung = refuse; always sacrificial. Occurs seven times.

feasts . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the sacrifices offered at the feasts.

it : i.e. the refuse.

Verse 4

be = contiuue.

Verse 5

My covenant was with him. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 25:10-13 .Deuteronomy 33:8 , Deuteronomy 33:9 , Deuteronomy 33:10 ). App-92 .

I gave them, &c.: I gave this "life" and "peace" to him [Levi] as an awe-inspiring, reverend characteristic; because he stood in awe of Me. There seems to be a distinct reference to Phineas (see the references above). But there seems to be a distinct reference to Levi also (Exodus 32:26-29 ), in the first place, at any rate. Hebrew. mora = that which makes awe felt.

was afraid before = abased himself.

Verse 6

in his mouth: i.e. for teaching.

and iniquity. Hebrew. 'aval. App-44 .

from iniquity , Hebrew ' avah. App-44 .

Verse 7

the priest's lips, &c. This was the first duty of the priests, and was more important than their ceremonial duties. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 10:11 .Deuteronomy 17:11 ; Deuteronomy 33:10 ). App-92 .

knowledge : i.e. esp. of the law.

they: i.e. the People; according to Deuteronomy 17:9-11 .

Verse 8

corrupted = made void.

Verse 9

People = peoples: i.e. the tribes.

according as = because, or, in so far as.

been partial = had respect of persons. Compare James 2:4 .

in = in [administering) the law.

Verse 10

Have we not all. created us? = [Ye say] Have we not, &c. as in Malachi 2:14 Figure of speech Paroemia . See John 8:33 Joh 39:41 &c.

GOD. Hebrew. El .

treacherously : or, faithlessly. Used of faithlessness to the marriage bond.

every man. Hebrew. ish . App-14 .

holiness = Holy Place, or Sanctuary.

which : i.e. the Sanctuary.

strange = foreign: i.e. a woman temple-worshipper of a foreign god.

Verse 12

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

the master and the scholar = wakener and answerer. Referring to the Temple watchers (Psalms 134:1 ).

tabernacles = tents.

offereth = bringeth near. Hebrew. nagash, as in Malachi 1:7 , Malachi 1:8 , Malachi 1:11 ; Malachi 3:3 . App-43 .

offering = a meal-offering. Hebrew. minchah. App-43 .

Verse 13

tears . . . weeping . . . crying out : i.e. of the wronged wives and children.

Verse 14

Wherefore? Supply the Ellipsis: "Wherefore [doth He not accept it]? "

companion = consort, or mate.

Verse 15

Modern critics pronounce this as being "a difficult and certainly corrupt passage"; but it is only elliptical.

make one? = make [of twain] one flesh? Ref to Pentateuch (Genesis 2:24 ). App-92 .

Yet had He, &c. And therefore could have made more than one wife for Adam.

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

And wherefore one? And what [did] that one [Abraham] who [was] seeking a seed of (or from) God? Hebrew. zera ' (as in Genesis 21:12 ; see note there). The logical Ellipsis ' must be further supplied: "Was Abraham faithless to Sarah and did he ill-treat her when he took an additional wife? How mach more ought ye to be faithful to your wives? "

one. Refers to Abraham. See Isaiah 51:2 .Ezekiel 33:24 . Supply the verb "do", as in Ecclesiastes 2:12 , and as in Judges 18:8 , from Mal 2:18 .

take heed = be watchful over.

your = your own.

Verse 16

For, &c. = For [as] hating putting away, hath Jehovah, Israel's God, spoken; and [as hating him that] hath carried violence concealed in his clothing, hath Jehovah Sabaioth spoken, therefore, &c.

God = Heh. Elohim . App-4 .

saith = hath said.

that He hateth, &c. = I hate.

putting away = divorce. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 24:1 ).

with his garment. Compare Pas. Mal 73:6 ; Psalms 109:18 , Psalms 109:29 Proverbs 28:13 , Isaiah 30:1 .

Verse 17

say = have said.

Every one, &c. Some codices read "All who do wrong are", &c.

evil = violence. Hebrew. ra ' a. App-44 .