Malachi 1

1 This is the burden [a message from God, a prophecy] of the word [a declaration, a message] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] to [toward, directed at] Israel [the descendants of Jacob] through [by the hand of, by the ministry of] Malachi [my messenger, a prophet]: word study 2 “I have [always, continually] loved [with affection, cherished] you,” says the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. But you ask, “How [in what way] have You loved [shown affection to] us?” “Was not Esau [hairy, rough] Jacob’s [supplanter, deceiver] brother [male sibling, close relative]?” declares the LORD. “Yet [nevertheless, nonetheless] Jacob [supplanter, deceiver] I have loved [chosen, preferred], word study 3 but Esau [the hairy one, twin brother of Jacob] I have hated [intensely disliked, rejected], and I have made his mountains [hilly regions] a wasteland [desolate, devastated] and left his inheritance [property, family heirloom] to the desert jackals [dragons, wild animals of the wilderness].” word study 4 Though Edom [the twin brother of Jacob, a region of rebellion] may say, “We have been devastated [beaten down, impoverished], but we will rebuild [return and build] the ruins [desolate places, waste lands],” this is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [armies, a large group of people] says: “They may build [establish, repair], but I [the Lord, the supreme authority] will demolish [overthrow, throw down]. They will be called the Land of Wickedness [the border of wickedness, a place of guilt], and a people [a nation, a tribe] with whom the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme Judge] is indignant [very angry, full of wrath] forever [always, till the end of time]. word study 5 You [yourselves, as witnesses] will see [with your own eyes, behold] this with your own eyes, and you yourselves will say [declare, proclaim], ‘The LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] is great [magnified, exalted]—even beyond the borders [boundaries, limits] of Israel [the people of God, the chosen nation].’” word study 6 “A son [a child, descendant] honors [to show respect, glorify] his father [a paternal figure, ancestor], and a servant [a slave, one who serves] his master [a lord, one who has authority]. But if I am a father [a paternal figure, one who cares], where is My honor [glory, recognition]? And if I am a master [a lord, one who has authority], where is your fear [reverence, awe] of Me?” says the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces] to you priests [spiritual leaders, mediators] who despise [to hold in contempt, reject] My name [My character, reputation]. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised [rejected, shown contempt for] Your name [Your character, reputation]?’ word study 7 By presenting [offering, bringing near] defiled [polluted, unclean] food [bread, sacrifices] on My altar [place of sacrifice, table of the Lord]. But you ask, ‘How have we defiled [made unclean, polluted] You ?’ By saying that the table [a place of communion] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] is contemptible [despicable, worthy of disdain]. word study 8 When you offer blind [physically or spiritually unable to see] animals for sacrifice [to slaughter for a religious offering], is it not wrong [evil, morally bad]? And when you present the lame [crippled, physically disabled] and sick [weak, diseased] ones, is it not wrong [evil, morally bad]? Try offering them to your governor [leader, ruler]! Would he be pleased with you [accept you, show favor] or show you favor [kindness, approval]?” asks the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [armies, a large group of people]. word study 9 “But ask now [at this time, in this moment] for God’s [Elohim, the supreme Creator] favor [graciousness, kindness]. Will He [the Lord] be gracious [show mercy, have pity]? Since this [the offering, the sacrifice] has come from your hands [your actions, your efforts], will He show you favor [accept you, have compassion on you]?” asks the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] of Hosts [the armies of heaven, the heavenly forces]. word study 10 “Oh, that one of you would shut [close, bar entrance to] the temple doors, so that you would no longer kindle [light, ignite] useless [vain, without purpose] fires on My altar [place of sacrifice, worship]! I take [have, experience] no pleasure [delight, joy] in you,” says the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] of Hosts [armies, heavenly forces], “and I will accept [receive, be pleased with] no offering [gift, sacrifice] from your hands. word study 11 For My name [identity, reputation, character] will be great [exalted, revered, renowned] among the nations [Gentiles, heathen, non-Jewish peoples], from where the sun [the east, the sunrise] rises to where it sets [the west, the direction of sunset]. In every place [location, region, throughout the world], incense and pure [clean, undefiled] offerings [gifts, sacrifices] will be presented in My name [as an act of worship, in recognition of My authority], because My name [reputation, character] will be great [honored, glorified, exalted] among the nations [the world, all peoples],” says the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] of Hosts [the commander of the armies of heaven]. word study 12 “But you [as priests, dishonoring me] profane [desecrate, make unholy] it when you say, ‘The table [a place of communion] of the Lord [Adonay, the sovereign God] is defiled [polluted, made unclean], and as for its fruit [the produce, results of your actions], its food [nourishment, provisions] is contemptible [despised, held in low esteem].’ word study 13 You also say: ‘Oh, what a [great weariness, trouble] nuisance!’ And you turn up your nose [in disdain, with contempt] at it,” says the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] of Hosts [a large group of powerful beings, the army of heaven]. “You bring offerings that are [taken by force, plundered] stolen, lame [crippled, physically disabled], or sick [weak, diseased]! Should I accept [be pleased with, approve of] these from your hands [your power, control]?” asks the LORD [the supreme God, ruler of all]. word study 14 “But cursed [to be utterly destroyed] is the deceiver [who plots and acts deceitfully] who has an acceptable [perfect, unblemished] male [a healthy, uncastrated animal] in his flock [a group of animals, a herd] and vows [makes a promise, a solemn oath] to give it, but sacrifices [offers, slaughters] a defective [blemished, ruined] animal to the Lord [Adonay, the supreme Ruler]. For I am a great [powerful, majestic] King,” says the LORD of Hosts [the Commander of the armies of heaven], “and My name [My character, reputation] is to be feared [revered, respected] among the nations [Gentiles, non-Jewish people]. word study