Keraia
Malachi 1

Malachi 1:4

The LORD’s Love for Israel · Malachi 1:1–5
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Translations

Modern
Though Edom may say, “We have been devastated, but we will rebuild the ruins,” this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Land of Wickedness, and a people with whom the LORD is indignant forever.
Traditional
Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the Lord of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the Lord hath indignation for ever.
Literal
If Edom should say, “We have been beaten down, and we will return and will build the ruins,” thus says YHWH of Hosts: “They may build, and I, I will tear down; and they will call to them the Territory of Wickedness, The people with whom YHWH will be angry even to forever.
Latin
Quod si dixerit Idumæa: Destructi sumus, sed revertentes ædificabimus quæ destructa sunt: hæc dicit Dominus exercituum: Isti ædificabunt, et ego destruam: et vocabuntur termini impietatis, et populus cui iratus est Dominus usque in æternum.

Original

Hebrew
English
Though Edom may say, “We have been devastated, but we will rebuild the ruins,” this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Land of Wickedness, and a people with whom the LORD is indignant forever.

Notes

Malachi 1:4

  • the LORD of Hosts (Hebrew Yahweh tseba’oth): This name for God is important in Old Testament prophetic writings. Hosts are the angelic forces under God's command. This phrase emphasizes God's power, which cannot be defeated.

  • the Land of Wickedness: Esau was selfish and showed disrespect for the Lord’s covenant symbols (see Genesis 25:34). The nation of Edom came to represent the pride of a self-centered life (see Jeremiah 49:16). The Edomites also allied with Babylon in destroying Jerusalem (see Psalm 137:7–9; Obadiah 1:10, 12).

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

Events

Parallels

Genesis 25:19–28 Romans 9:6–29

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Places

Edom: Descendants of Esau; enemy nation southeast of Israel

Glossary

Edom, Edomites Malachi, Book of

Topics

Edomites: Prophecies Concerning