Lectionary Calendar
Friday, March 29th, 2024
Good Friday
There are 2 days til Easter!
Attention!
Take your personal ministry to the Next Level by helping StudyLight build churches and supporting pastors in Uganda.
Click here to join the effort!

Bible Commentaries
Malachi 3

Bullinger's Companion Bible NotesBullinger's Companion Notes

Search for…
Enter query below:

Verse 1

Behold, I will send, &c. = Behold Me sending, &c. Quoted in Matthew 11:10 . Mark 1:2 .Luke 1:76 ; Luke 7:27 . Not to that then present generation, but to the "generation" of our Lord's day. See note on Matthew 11:18 . This is the answer to the question "Where? "in Malachi 2:17 .

My messenger . John the Baptist (Matthew 3:3 ; Matthew 3:11 , Matthew 3:10 . Mark 1:2 , Mark 1:3 .Luke 1:76 ; Luke 3:4 ; Luke 7:26 , Luke 7:27 , John 1:23 ). Compare Matthew 22:2 , Matthew 22:3 .Isaiah 40:3-5 .

prepare . By removing obstacles from the way. Compare Isaiah 40:3 ; Isaiah 62:10 .

the Lord. Hebrew. ha-Adon . App-4 . This refers to Messiah. Ref to Pentateuch (Exodus 23:20 Exodus 33:14 , Exodus 33:16 ). App-92 .

suddenly = unexpectedly.

behold Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

said = hath said.

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

Verse 2

who may abide. ? Compare Joel 2:11 . Figure.

abide = endure

soap = lye; as in Job 9:30 , i.e. water mixed with the ashes of certain plants containing alkali. Compare Mark 9:3 .

Verse 3

He shall purify. Judgment begins at the house of God. See 1 Peter 4:17 .

offer = bring near.

offering = a gift offering. Hebrew. minchah . Not the same word as in Malachi 3:8 .

Verse 4

Then. When Jehovah shall have sent His messenger (Messiah), and He is accepted.

Verse 5

I will be, &c. Compare Micah 1:2 .

the sorcerers . Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 22:18 . Deuteronomy 18:10 ).

adulterers. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 20:14 .Leviticus 20:10; Leviticus 20:10 ).

oppress, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 22:21 .Deuteronomy 24:14; Deuteronomy 24:14 ) App-92 .

fear = revere.

Verse 6

For I change not . Reference to Pent (Numbers 23:19 ) App-92 . Not in Himself, nor in His purpose, to change His dealings on the conditions stated.

Verse 7

ordinances = statutes. Hebrew, hok . Referring to particular ritual observances. Not the same word as in Malachi 3:14 .

Verse 8

man . Hebrew 'adam. App-14 .

rob = defraud. A rare word. Occurs only here, in Malachi 3:8 , Malachi 3:9 ; and Proverbs 22:23 .

God . Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .

have robbed = are defrauding.

tithes. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 27:30-33 .Numbers 18:21-32 .Deuteronomy 12:17 , &c.; Mal 14:22-29 ). App-92 .

offerings = heave offerings. Literally, in the tithe and the heave offering. Hebrew. trumah. App-43 . Not the same word as in verses: Malachi 3:3 , Malachi 3:4 , Malachi 3:10 , Malachi 1:11 , Malachi 1:13 ; Malachi 2:12 , Malachi 2:13 .

Verse 9

are cursed with a curse. The primitive text read, "ye have cursed Me with a curse". The Sopherlm say ( App-33 ) that they altered the letter, (Mem = M) into; (Nun = N), thus making it passive instead of active, and detaching it from the rest of the sentence. This was done to avoid a supposed irreverence.

this whole nation = the nation, the whole of it.

Verse 10

all = the whole; implying that a part had been withheld.

meat prey: i.e. animals for sacrifice. Not put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for food; but put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6 , for sacrificial animals.

open you the windows, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 7:11 ; Genesis 8:2 ). App-92 .

pour you out = empty you oat.

Verse 11

the devourer = the eater: i.e. the locust. Compare Joel 1:4 .Amos 4:9 .

for your sakes = for you (the Dative of Reference),

Verse 12

a delightsome land. Compare Isaiah 62:4 .Daniel 8:9 .

Verse 13

stout = hard, or bold.

Verse 14

ordiance = charge. Hebrew. mizvah . Not the same word as in Malachi 3:7 . Referring to general religious duties.

walked mournfully before = gone off mournfully from the presence of Jehovah of hosts.

Verse 15

And now. Compare Malachi 1:9 , Malachi 2:1 .

are set up = prosper, or are successful. Lit are built up. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for being prospered. Compare Job 22:23 .Jeremiah 12:16 .

yea = yea, [they, proud ones]. Marking a climax.

tempt = have tempted. Same as "prove" in Malachi 3:10 ; but here in a bad sense, as though to challenge or to put to the proof.

Verse 16

Then: i.e. when Malachi had spoken thus unto them, at a time of such apostasy, show us what is possible and practicable in these like days and "perilous times" which are closing this present Dispensation.

feared = revered.

spake. As in Malachi 3:13 .

one to another. Each one with his friend.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton , App-6 .

hearkened, and heard. As He heard the groaning of Israel (Exodus 2:23 , Exodus 2:24 ); Moses, without words (Exodus 14:15 ); and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:4 ); Hannah, without words (1 Samuel 1:13 ); Jeremiah, his breathing (Lamentations 3:55 , Lamentations 3:56 ); Jonah, when dying (Jonah 2:2 ); the disciples, their thoughts (Luke 24:15 , Luke 24:38 ).

and a book of remembrance. Some codices, with Syriac, read "a record was written in a book of remembrance". remembrance. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 28:29 . Numbers 10:10 , the same word). App-92 .

thought. Precious comfort for those now who cannot speak. We can walk with God (like Enoch, in the darkest days), and think of Him with these God-reverers now, in these similar days.

Verse 17

I make up, &c = I am preparing.

My jewels = A peculiar treasure.

Bibliographical Information
Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on Malachi 3". "Bullinger's Companion bible Notes". https://studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bul/malachi-3.html. 1909-1922.
adsFree icon
Ads FreeProfile