Malachi 4:1

Translations

Modern

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”

Traditional

For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

Literal

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, and all the proud and all those doing wickedness will be as stubble; and the day that is coming will burn them up,” says YHWH of Hosts, “So that it will not leave for them a root or branch!”

Latin

Ecce enim dies veniet succensa quasi caminus: et erunt omnes superbi et omnes facientes impietatem stipula: et inflammabit eos dies veniens, dicit Dominus exercituum, quæ non derelinquet eis radicem et germen.

Original

Hebrew

English

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”

Notes

Malachi 4:1–3

This message moves away from debate and directly warns people that repentance is the only proper response to the Lord's message because God's judgment is unavoidable.

Malachi 3:13–4:3

Malachi’s final message contains two distinct but related speeches. The first emphasizes serving the Lord (Malachi 3:13–18). The second compares the fate of the wicked and the righteous (Malachi 4:1–3)

Each speech ends with the messenger formula (see study note on Malachi 1:8). The prophet revisits themes from the fourth message (Malachi 3:1–5), emphasizing God's desire for honesty and faithfulness in worship, especially with the coming judgment on the day of the Lord.

If Malachi is like a courtroom scene, this last argument is the sentencing. Although wickedness seems to win over righteousness and God seems slow to judge sin in the community, the coming day of the Lord will prove God's justice. The wicked will be separated from the righteous by the fire of God's judgment.

Theme notes and profiles

God’s Love for Israel Preaching to a Tough Crowd The Day of the Lord

Events

Prophecies of Malachic. 442 BC

Related verses

2 Thessalonians 1:8
…in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
2 Peter 3:7
And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
Malachi 3:2
But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap.
Isaiah 47:14
Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside.
Isaiah 5:24
Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes the straw, and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will decay and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
Obadiah 1:18
Then the house of Jacob will be a blazing fire, and the house of Joseph a burning flame; but the house of Esau will be stubble—Jacob will set it ablaze and consume it. Therefore no survivor will remain from the house of Esau.” For the LORD has spoken.
Malachi 3:15
So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”
Job 18:16
The roots beneath him dry up, and the branches above him wither away.
Zephaniah 1:18
Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth.
Isaiah 2:12–17
For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled—
Joel 2:1
Blow the ram’s horn in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD is coming; indeed, it is near—
Nahum 1:10
For they will be entangled as with thorns and consumed like the drink of a drunkard—like stubble that is fully dry.

Parallels

Zephaniah 1:7–18 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 2 Peter 3:8–13

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Baptism of Fire John the Baptist Malachi, Book of

Topics

Being Vindictive Furnace of Hell Malachi: The Judgments on the Wicked and Consolations of the Righteous Oven: Figurative Pride: General Scriptures Concerning Pride: They Who are Guilty of, Shall Be: Punished Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments Stubble of Wicked People The Wicked are Compared to Stubble Wicked (People): Compared With: Stubble

Malachi 4:1

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