Bible Commentaries
Malachi 3

Verse 1

Mal. 3.1

3:1 my messenger = Matthew 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 7:27; Luke 2:22.

3:1 second messenger of the covenant = or angel ? Cf. Hebrews 9:15, mediator of the new covenant.

Verse 2

Mal. 3.2

3:2 refiner’s fire = separates precious metal from the refuse

3:2 fullers’ soap = washing herb- lye, wash away all filth

Verse 3

Mal. 3.3

3:3 sit = as a judge,

3:3 sons of Levi = esp priests, cf. Acts 6:7 xxx

Verse 4

Mal. 3.4

3:4 pleasant = Righteous worship is pleasant in sight of God.

3:4 days of old... ancient years = answers the question of 2:17

Verse 5

Mal. 3.5

3:5 sorcerers =

Verse 6

Mal. 3.6

3:6 change not = in morals or principles (he changes law).

Verse 7

Mal. 3.7

3:7 ordinances = written laws, or statues – (ordinances

3:7 shall we return? = they don’t acknowledge their offences

Verse 8

Mal. 3.8

3:8 rob God? =

3:8 in tithes = income

3:8 offerings = additional lambs

Verse 9

Mal. 3.9

Verse 10

Mal. 3.10

3:10 storehouse = storage chambers in the temple

3:10 prove = test

3:10 pour out a blessing ... my cup runneth over. The store rooms could not hold the blessings!

Verse 11

Mal. 3.11

3:11 devourer = devouring crops

3:11 cast fruit before time = fruit falling off before ripe

Verse 12

Mal. 3.12

Verse 13

Mal. 3:13

3:13 E. Claude Hall on “ye” and “you” and “you” and “thee.”

You = secular language, carries idea of equality;

Thee = in a more religious connotation, God on a higher plane than us.

Example: some words are pronounced differently when sung than when spoken.

Amen = [‘c ’min ] in music

[‘e ‘men ] speaking

Verse 14

Mal. 3:14

3:14 walked mournfully = or in mourning apparel

Verse 15

Mal. 3.15

3:15 Think, or say, that the wicked seem to be the ones blessed

Verse 16

Mal. 3.16

3:16 they spake often ... RSV

3:16 heard = strained to hear... wanting to hear every word.

Verse 17

Mal. 3.17

3:17 spare them = not punish

Verse 18

Mal. 3.18

3:18 Under the old law? True any day!