Malachi 4:5

Translations

Modern

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.

Traditional

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

Literal

Behold, I am sending to you Elijah the prophet, before the face of the coming of the day of YHWH great and awesome.

Latin

Ecce ego mittam vobis Eliam prophetam, antequam veniat dies Domini magnus et horribilis.

Original

Hebrew

English

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.

Notes

Malachi 4:5–6

The second closing message warns that God’s judgment of the wicked is coming. It also promises rescue and restoration for those who live in a right way.
Elijah is a prime example of a prophet who preached repentance, supported by signs and wonders (see Luke 1:17; James 5:17–18). Elijah was a forerunner of the day of the Lord (see Malachi 3:1). The New Testament identifies John the Baptist as the prophet who prepared the way for Jesus the Messiah (see Matthew 11:11–15; Luke 1:17).

Malachi 4:4–6

The book ends with a closing section that points to Moses and Elijah. These two figures are models of faithfulness to the Lord. Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the Prophets (see Matthew 17:1–4). They are held up as examples for Malachi’s audience to follow.

In ancient Hebrew practice, these two appeals may have functioned as added closing messages for the scroll that contained the 12 Minor Prophets (the shorter prophetic books). If this is the case, the first closing message (Malachi 4:4) links the scroll to the Law of Moses. The second closing message (Malachi 4:5–6) connects the Minor Prophets to the Major Prophets (the longer books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel).

Theme notes and profiles

Elijah John the Baptist Complete Dedication The Day of the Lord

Events

Prophecies of Malachic. 442 BC

Related verses

Luke 1:17
And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Matthew 17:10–13
The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
Mark 9:11–13
And they asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
Matthew 11:13–14
For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
Malachi 3:1
“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.
Isaiah 40:3
A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
John 1:21
“Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”
Joel 2:31
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.
Malachi 4:1
“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.”
Matthew 27:47–49
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He is calling Elijah.”
Luke 7:26–28
What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
Revelation 6:17
For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”

Parallels

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

People

Elijah: A prophet during the reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah

Glossary

Day of the Lord Elijah John the Baptist Malachi, Book of Prophecy

Topics

Day: Judgment: Called the Day of the Lord Fathers and Sons John: The Baptist: Prophecies Concerning Malachi: The Coming of the Forerunner of the Messiah Messenger: Figurative

Malachi 4:5

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