Malachi 1:2

Translations

Modern

“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved,

Traditional

I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob,

Literal

“I have loved you,” says YHWH. And you say, “In what way have You loved us?” “Was not Esau a brother to Jacob?” An utterance of YHWH. “And I have loved Jacob,

Latin

Dilexi vos, dicit Dominus, et dixistis: In quo dilexisti nos? Nonne frater erat Esau Jacob? dicit Dominus: et dilexi Jacob,

Original

Hebrew

English

“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved,

Notes

Malachi 1:2

loved: The relationship between the Lord and Israel involves covenant implications. This love can mean God's choice or election of Israel as his people. Malachi's message shows that other aspects of God's unconditional covenant love for Israel, like his patient mercy (see Malachi 3:6, 17), are still active. See also Romans 9:13.

Malachi 1:2–5

Malachi’s sermons use a literary form called disputation (a structured argument). This form sounds like a courtroom scene and gives the message the tone of a trial. In the first disputation, the prophet states the central truth that God loves Israel (Malachi 1:2).

After this, the prophet challenges the people and responds to their objections. He develops this main claim through five additional messages that follow.

Theme notes and profiles

Esau Jacob God’s Covenant Love God’s Love for Israel Preaching to a Tough Crowd

Events

Prophecies of Malachic. 442 BC

Related verses

Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.
Isaiah 41:8–9
“But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend—
Deuteronomy 10:15
Yet the LORD has set His affection on your fathers and loved them. And He has chosen you, their descendants after them, above all the peoples, even to this day.
Romans 9:10–13
Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac.
Isaiah 43:4
Because you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you and nations in place of your life.
Malachi 3:7–8
Yet from the days of your fathers, you have turned away from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Hosts. “But you ask, ‘How can we return?’
Deuteronomy 4:37
Because He loved your fathers, He chose their descendants after them and brought you out of Egypt by His presence and great power,
Deuteronomy 7:6–8
For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.
Malachi 3:13–14
“Your words against Me have been harsh,” says the LORD. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we spoken against You?’
Deuteronomy 32:8–14
When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.
Romans 11:28–29
Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs.
Malachi 2:17
You have wearied the LORD with your words; yet you ask, “How have we wearied Him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the LORD, and in them He delights,” or, “Where is the God of justice?”

Parallels

Genesis 25:19–28 Romans 9:6–29

People

Esau: Isaac's firstborn son; sold birthright to Jacob; became Edom Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Edom, Edomites Hatred Malachi, Book of Prophecy

Topics

Edomites: Prophecies Concerning Esau: Sells his Birthright for a Single Meal God: Love of God: Love of, Exemplified Predestination: General Scriptures Concerning The Love of God: Exhibited in Election Unbelief: General Scriptures Concerning

Malachi 1:2

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Original?

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Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics