Keraia
Malachi 3

Malachi 3:5

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

Translations

Modern
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.
Traditional
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.
Literal
“And I will come near to you for the judgment, and I will be a witness making haste against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against those swearing to a lie, and against those oppressing the wage of the hireling, the widow and the fatherless, and against those stretching away a sojourner, and not they do fear me,” says YHWH of Hosts.
Latin
Et accedam ad vos in judicio, et ero testis velox maleficis, et adulteris, et perjuris, et qui calumniantur mercedem mercenarii, viduas et pupillos, et opprimunt peregrinum, nec timuerunt me, dicit Dominus exercituum.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.

Notes

Malachi 3:5

  • The phrase swift witness suggests a legal case where God acts as both the prosecutor and the main witness against Judah after the exile in Babylon.

  • Sorcerers used witchcraft, black magic, or fortune-telling for personal gain.

  • On the coming day of God’s judgment, sinful Judeans would either be purified (Malachi 3:3) or destroyed (4:1–2).

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

Adultery Malachi, Book of Orphan Servant Sorcery Wages Widow Work

Topics

Aliens: To be Treated with Justice Bosses Children: God's Care of Employee: Oppressions of Employees Employer: General Scriptures Concerning Employers Fatherless: God Will: Punish Those Who Oppress Foreigners God: Judge, and his Justice Hireling: Not to be Oppressed Immigration Labor: General Scriptures Concerning Malachi: Fortells the Coming of the Messiah Master: Scriptures Relating to Masters of Serv Ants Oaths: The Jews: Condemned for False Oppression: God Will Judge Orphan: General Scriptures Concerning Perjury: General Scriptures Concerning Servant: Hired: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Servants: Hired: Often Oppressed and Their Wages Kept Back Sorcery: Denounced Strangers: Oppression of Swearing Falsely: The Wicked: Shall be Judged on Account of Theft: Brings a Curse on Those Who Commit It Theft: Includes Fraud Concerning Wages Treating Foreigners Wages: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Widow: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Widows: God: Will Witness Against Oppressors of