Malachi 1:14

The Polluted Offerings · Malachi 1:6–14
Read Malachi 1

Translations

Modern
“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.
Traditional
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.
Literal
“And cursed is the one plotting, and a male is in his flock, and vowing it and sacrificing what is blemished to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says YHWH of Hosts, “And My name is feared among the nations.
Latin
Maledictus dolosus qui habet in grege suo masculum, et votum faciens immolat debile Domino: quia rex magnus ego, dicit Dominus exercituum, et nomen meum horribile in gentibus.

Original

Hebrew
English
“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.

Notes

cursed: To "bind with a curse" meant to bring misfortune as punishment for a serious crime against the community (see Deuteronomy 27:15–26; Jeremiah 48:10). Malachi spoke for the Lord, so the curse was a declaration of doom.

Malachi’s second message confirms the Lord as God and father of Israel. God alone deserves true worship.

The first part (Malachi 1:6–14) shows how the Israelites dishonored God despite his fatherly care and great power.

The second part (Malachi 2:1–9) warns the priests of Judah against sacrificing sick and defective animals and criticizes them for not teaching God’s instructions (2:6–8).

Theme notes and profiles

Vows to God

Events

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Malachi, Book of Priests and Levites

Topics

Dedication: Must be Without Blemish Formalism: General Scriptures Concerning God: Sovereign Hypocrisy: General Scriptures Concerning Offerings: Required to Be: The Best of Their Kind Sacrifices: Required to be Perfect and Without Blemish Sacrifices: The Jews: Condemned for Bringing Defective and Blemished Vows of Things Corrupt or Blemished an Insult to God