Keraia
Malachi 3

Malachi 3:1

I Will Send My Messenger · Malachi 3:1–5
Read Malachi 3

Translations

Modern
“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.
Traditional
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.
Literal
“Behold, I am sending My messenger, and he will prepare the way before My face. And suddenly he will come to His temple—the Lord whom you are seeking, the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” says YHWH of Hosts.
Latin
Ecce ego mitto angelum meum, et præparabit viam ante faciem meam: et statim veniet ad templum suum Dominator quem vos quæritis, et angelus testamenti quem vos vultis. Ecce venit, dicit Dominus exercituum.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.

Notes

Malachi 3:1

  • My messenger (Hebrew mal’aki): This is a play on Malachi’s name. The messenger could be an angel or a human acting as a divine courier. Jesus identified John the Baptist by referring to this passage (see Matthew 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 7:27).

  • Malachi’s audience likely saw the messenger of the covenant as a divine being (compare Exodus 23:20–23). The Christian church views Jesus Christ as the messenger of the new covenant.

Malachi 2:17–3:5

Malachi's fourth message addresses the difference between God's justice and human justice (Malachi 2:17). This section sounds like a courtroom charge against Judah. It presents God’s formal accusation. Malachi condemns religious behavior that follows rules but lacks sincere devotion (see Malachi 3:14). This kind of worship goes against God’s justice. The prophet calls the people to honesty and to real concern for others in their community.

Events

Parallels

Matthew 11:7–19 Luke 7:24–35

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament John the Baptist Malachi (Person) Malachi, Book of Messenger Messiah

Topics

Christ is God: As Jehovah, the Messenger of the Covenant Church: Temple Jesus, the Christ: Divinity of Jehovah the Messenger of the Covenant Jesus, the Christ: Names, Appellations, and Titles of: Messenger of the Covenant Jesus, the Christ: Prophecies Concerning the Coming of Jesus, the Christ: Unclassified Prophecies Concerning the Kingdom of Jesus, the Christ: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to the Divinity of Malachi: Fortells the Coming of the Messiah Messenger: Figurative Messiah Prophecies Respecting Christ: His Being Preceded by John the Baptist Prophecies Respecting Christ: His Coming Into the Temple Quotations and Allusions in the New Testament From, and To, the Old Testament Seeking God: Includes Seeking: Christ Temple: The Second: Prophecies of Its Restoration The Covenant: Christ, the Messenger of the Second Temple: Christ: To Appear In Titles and Names of Christ: Messenger of the Covenant