Malachi 4:3

Translations

Modern

Then you will trample the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day I am preparing,” says the LORD of Hosts.

Traditional

And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.

Literal

And you will trample the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day that I am preparing,” says YHWH of Hosts.

Latin

Et calcabitis impios, cum fuerint cinis sub planta pedum vestrorum, in die qua ego facio, dicit Dominus exercituum.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then you will trample the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day I am preparing,” says the LORD of Hosts.

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 The Day of the Lord

Events

Prophecies of Malachic. 442 BC

Related verses

Job 40:12
Look on every proud man and humble him; trample the wicked where they stand.
Romans 16:20
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Zechariah 10:5
They will be like mighty men in battle, trampling the enemy in the mire of the streets. They will fight because the LORD is with them, and they will put the horsemen to shame.
Micah 7:10
Then my enemy will see and will be covered with shame—she who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her; at that time she will be trampled like mud in the streets.
Joshua 10:24–25
When they had brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks.
Micah 5:8
Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which tramples and tears as it passes through, with no one to rescue them.
Malachi 3:17
“They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.
Psalm 91:13
You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent.
Isaiah 25:10
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain. But Moab will be trampled in his place as straw is trodden into the dung pile.
Daniel 7:18
But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever—yes, forever and ever.’
Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Isaiah 26:6
Feet trample it down—the feet of the oppressed, the steps of the poor.

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

Malachi, Book of

Topics

Malachi: The Judgments on the Wicked and Consolations of the Righteous Righteous: Promises To, Expressed or Implied The Wicked are Compared to Ashes Under the Feet Wicked (People): Compared With: Ashes Under the Feet

Malachi 4:3

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Parallels?