Verse 1
priests. .
this commandment. As to reformation.
Verse 2
If ye will not hear. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:14. Deuteronomy 28:15). App-92.
My name. See note on Psalms 20:1.
the LORD of hosts. See note on Malachi 1:4.
saith = hath said,
send a curse = send the curse. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:20). App-92.
curse your blessings. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:2).
Verse 3
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos App-6.
corrupt = rebuke; as in Malachi 3:11. Psalms 106:9. Isaiah 17:13. Hebrew gaar. Occurs fourteen times. Always rendered rebuke" except here, and Jeremiah 29:27 ("reproved").
dung = refuse; always sacrificial. Occurs seven times.
feasts. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for the sacrifices offered at the feasts.
it: i.e. the refuse.
Verse 4
be = contiuue.
Verse 5
My covenant was with him. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 25:10-13. Deuteronomy 33:8, Deuteronomy 33:9, Deuteronomy 33:10). App-92.
I gave them, &c.: I gave this "life" and "peace" to him [Levi] as an awe-inspiring, reverend characteristic; because he stood in awe of Me. There seems to be a distinct reference to Phineas (see the references above). But there seems to be a distinct reference to Levi also (Exodus 32:26-29), in the first place, at any rate. Hebrew. mora = that which makes awe felt.
was afraid before = abased himself.
Verse 6
in his mouth: i.e. for teaching.
and iniquity. Hebrew. "aval. App-44.
from iniquity, Hebrew "avah. App-44.
Verse 7
the priest"s lips, &c. This was the first duty of the priests, and was more important than their ceremonial duties. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 10:11. Deuteronomy 17:11; Deuteronomy 33:10). App-92.
knowledge: i.e. esp. of the law.
they: i.e. the People; according to Deuteronomy 17:9-11.
Verse 8
corrupted = made void.
Verse 9
People = peoples: i.e. the tribes.
according as = because, or, in so far as.
been partial = had respect of persons. Compare James 2:4.
in = in [administering) the law.
Verse 10
Have we not all. created us? = [Ye say] Have we not, &c. as in Malachi 2:14 Figure of speech Paroemia. See John 8:33, John 39:41 &c.
GOD. Hebrew. El.
treacherously: or, faithlessly. Used of faithlessness to the marriage bond.
every man. Hebrew. ish. App-14.
holiness = Holy Place, or Sanctuary.
which: i.e. the Sanctuary.
strange = foreign: i.e. a woman temple-worshipper of a foreign god.
Verse 12
man. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.
the master and the scholar = wakener and answerer. Referring to the Temple watchers (Psalms 134:1).
tabernacles = tents.
offereth = bringeth near. Hebrew. nagash, as in Malachi 1:7, Malachi 1:8, Malachi 1:11; Malachi 3:3. App-43.
offering = a meal-offering. Hebrew. minchah. App-43.
Verse 13
tears . . . weeping . . . crying out: i.e. of the wronged wives and children.
Verse 14
Wherefore? Supply the Ellipsis: "Wherefore [doth He not accept it]? "
companion = consort, or mate.
Verse 15
Modern critics pronounce this as being "a difficult and certainly corrupt passage"; but it is only elliptical.
make one? = make [of twain] one flesh? Ref to Pentateuch (Genesis 2:24). App-92.
Yet had He, &c. And therefore could have made more than one wife for Adam.
spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.
And wherefore one? And what [did] that one [Abraham] who [was] seeking a seed of (or from) God? Hebrew. zera" (as in Genesis 21:12; see note there). The logical Ellipsis" must be further supplied: "Was Abraham faithless to Sarah and did he ill-treat her when he took an additional wife? How mach more ought ye to be faithful to your wives? "
one. Refers to Abraham. See Isaiah 51:2. Ezekiel 33:24. Supply the verb "do", as in Ecclesiastes 2:12, and as in Judges 18:8, from Malachi 2:18.
take heed = be watchful over.
your = your own.
Verse 16
For, &c. = For [as] hating putting away, hath Jehovah, Israel"s God, spoken; and [as hating him that] hath carried violence concealed in his clothing, hath Jehovah Sabaioth spoken, therefore, &c.
God = Heh. Elohim. App-4.
saith = hath said.
that He hateth, &c. = I hate.
putting away = divorce. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 24:1).
with his garment. Compare Pas. Malachi 73:6; Psalms 109:18, Psalms 109:29, Proverbs 28:13, Isaiah 30:1.
Verse 17
say = have said.
Every one, &c. Some codices read "All who do wrong are", &c.
evil = violence. Hebrew. ra"a. App-44.