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width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/malachi/2-3.htm" title="Malachi 2:3">◄</a> Malachi 2:4 <a href="/malachi/2-5.htm" title="Malachi 2:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/malachi/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/malachi/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levi may continue,&#8221 says the LORD Almighty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/malachi/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then at last you will know it was I who sent you this warning so that my covenant with the Levites can continue,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/malachi/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So shall you know that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may stand, says the LORD of hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/malachi/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/malachi/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/malachi/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, That My covenant with Levi may continue,” Says the LORD of hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/malachi/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then you will know that I have sent this commandment to you, so that My covenant may continue with Levi,” says the LORD of armies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/malachi/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Then you will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant may continue with Levi,&#8221 says the LORD of hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/malachi/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Then you will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant may continue with Levi,” says the LORD of hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/malachi/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then you will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant may continue with Levi,” says Yahweh of hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/malachi/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then you will know [without any doubt] that I have sent this [new] commandment to you (priests), that My covenant may continue with Levi [the priestly tribe],” says the LORD of hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/malachi/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then you will know that I sent you this decree, so that my covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Armies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/malachi/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then you will know that I sent you this decree so My covenant with Levi may continue,&#8221 says the LORD of Hosts. &#8220<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/malachi/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant may be with Levi, saith Jehovah of hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/malachi/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I am telling you this, so I can continue to keep my agreement with your ancestor Levi. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/malachi/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/malachi/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then you will know that I sent you this warning so that my promise to Levi will continue," says the LORD of Armies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/malachi/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then you will know that I have given you this command, so that my covenant with the priests, the descendants of Levi, will not be broken. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/malachi/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You will know that I sent this commandment to you in order to continue my covenant with Levi," says the LORD of the Heavenly Armies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/malachi/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then you will know that I sent this commandment to you so that my covenant may continue to be with Levi," says the LORD who rules over all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/malachi/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that my covenant may be with Levi," says the LORD of hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/malachi/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/malachi/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/malachi/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that my covenant may be with Levi,” says Yahweh of Armies. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/malachi/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And you have known that I have sent this charge to you, "" For My covenant being with Levi,” said YHWH of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/malachi/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And ye have known that I have sent unto you this charge, For My covenant being with Levi, Said Jehovah of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/malachi/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And ye knew that I sent this command to you, for my covenant to be with Levi, said Jehovah of armies.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/malachi/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And you shall know that I sent you this commandment, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/malachi/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And you will know that I sent you this commandment, so that my covenant might be with Levi, says the Lord of hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/malachi/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You should know that I sent you this commandment so that my covenant with Levi might endure, says the LORD of hosts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/malachi/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Know, then, that I have sent this command to you, that my covenant with Levi may hold, says the LORD of hosts.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/malachi/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, that my covenant might be with Levi, says the LORD of hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/malachi/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And you shall know that I sent you this commandment that my covenant would be with Levi, says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/malachi/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Know then that I have sent This commandment unto you, That My covenant might be with Levi, Saith the LORD of hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/malachi/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, that my covenant might be with the sons of Levi, saith the Lord Almighty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/malachi/2-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B6KyAs1WSHw?start=246" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/malachi/2.htm">A Warning to Priests</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>Behold, I will rebuke your descendants, and I will spread dung on your faces, the waste from your feasts, and you will be carried off with it. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: wî·ḏa‘·tem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2mp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">Then you will know</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: šil·laḥ·tî (V-Piel-Perf-1cs) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">I have sent</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- To, into, towards. ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: haz·zōṯ (Art:: Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/4687.htm" title="4687: ham·miṣ·wāh (Art:: N-fs) -- Commandment. From tsavah; a command, whether human or divine.">commandment</a> <a href="/hebrew/1285.htm" title="1285: bə·rî·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- A covenant. From barah (like bara'); a compact.">so that My covenant</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/3878.htm" title="3878: lê·wî (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him. From lavah; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob.">Levi</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: lih·yō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">may continue,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">says</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/6635.htm" title="6635: ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ (N-cp) -- Or tsbadah; from tsaba'; a mass of persons, especially reg. Organized for war; by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively.">of Hosts.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>“My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/13-29.htm">Nehemiah 13:29</a></span><br />Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/25-12.htm">Numbers 25:12-13</a></span><br />Declare, therefore, that I am granting him My covenant of peace. / It will be a covenant of permanent priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8-11</a></span><br />Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah. / He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant. / He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel; he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/33-20.htm">Jeremiah 33:20-21</a></span><br />“This is what the LORD says: If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that day and night cease to occupy their appointed time, / then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant and with My ministers the Levites who are priests, so that David will not have a son to reign on his throne.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/32-25.htm">Exodus 32:25-29</a></span><br />Moses saw that the people were out of control, for Aaron had let them run wild and become a laughingstock to their enemies. / So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites gathered around him. / He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/10-1.htm">Leviticus 10:1-3</a></span><br />Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. / So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died in the presence of the LORD. / Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said: ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’” But Aaron remained silent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-30.htm">1 Samuel 2:30</a></span><br />Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-15.htm">Ezekiel 44:15-16</a></span><br />But the Levitical priests, who are descended from Zadok and who kept charge of My sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from Me, are to approach Me to minister before Me. They will stand before Me to offer Me fat and blood, declares the Lord GOD. / They alone shall enter My sanctuary and draw near to My table to minister before Me. They will keep My charge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-30.htm">Psalm 106:30-31</a></span><br />But Phinehas stood and intervened, and the plague was restrained. / It was credited to him as righteousness for endless generations to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-11.htm">Hebrews 7:11-17</a></span><br />Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? / For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well. / He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/8-6.htm">Hebrews 8:6-13</a></span><br />Now, however, Jesus has received a much more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises. / For if that first covenant had been without fault, no place would have been sought for a second. / But God found fault with the people and said: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-15.htm">Hebrews 9:15</a></span><br />Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-28.htm">Hebrews 10:28-29</a></span><br />Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. / How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a></span><br />But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/1-6.htm">Revelation 1:6</a></span><br />who has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, that my covenant might be with Levi, said the LORD of hosts.</p><p class="hdg">ye.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/22-25.htm">1 Kings 22:25</a></b></br> And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/26-11.htm">Isaiah 26:11</a></b></br> LORD, <i>when</i> thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: <i>but</i> they shall see, and be ashamed for <i>their</i> envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/28-9.htm">Jeremiah 28:9</a></b></br> The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, <i>then</i> shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.</p><p class="hdg">that my.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/1-24.htm">Isaiah 1:24-28</a></b></br> Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Isaiah 27:9</a></b></br> By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this <i>is</i> all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/20-38.htm">Ezekiel 20:38-41</a></b></br> And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I <i>am</i> the LORD… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/malachi/2-1.htm">Admonition</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-10.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/malachi/1-14.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/malachi/2-2.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/malachi/2-1.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/malachi/2-1.htm">Command</a> <a href="/malachi/2-1.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-8.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-10.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-13.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/malachi/2-2.htm">Hosts</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-13.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/malachi/2-1.htm">Order</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/10-11.htm">Admonition</a> <a href="/malachi/2-5.htm">Agreement</a> <a href="/malachi/2-7.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/malachi/2-7.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/malachi/3-14.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/malachi/4-4.htm">Command</a> <a href="/matthew/8-18.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/matthew/15-32.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/malachi/2-5.htm">Covenant</a> <a href="/malachi/3-15.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/malachi/2-7.htm">Hosts</a> <a href="/malachi/3-3.htm">Levi</a> <a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Order</a><div class="vheading2">Malachi 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/malachi/2-1.htm">He sharply reproves the priests for neglecting their covenant;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/malachi/2-10.htm">and the people for marrying strange wives;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/malachi/2-13.htm">and for putting away their former ones,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/malachi/2-17.htm">and for infidelity.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/malachi/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/malachi/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/malachi/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the authority and divine origin of the message. The "commandment" refers to God's instructions to the priests, highlighting their failure to uphold their duties. The context is a rebuke to the priests of Israel for their corruption and neglect of the covenant. The phrase underscores the importance of recognizing God's direct communication and the consequences of disobedience. It reflects the prophetic tradition where God sends messages through His prophets to guide and correct His people.<p><b>so that My covenant with Levi may continue,”</b><br>The "covenant with Levi" refers to the special relationship and responsibilities given to the Levitical priesthood. This covenant is rooted in passages like <a href="/numbers/25-10.htm">Numbers 25:10-13</a>, where God promises a covenant of peace and a perpetual priesthood to Phinehas, a descendant of Levi, for his zeal. The Levitical covenant involves duties of teaching the law, offering sacrifices, and maintaining the sanctity of worship. The continuation of this covenant is contingent upon the priests' faithfulness to their calling. This phrase highlights the conditional nature of covenants in the Old Testament, where blessings are tied to obedience.<p><b>says the LORD of Hosts.</b><br>The title "LORD of Hosts" emphasizes God's sovereignty and power. It is a military term, portraying God as the commander of heavenly armies, underscoring His authority and ability to enforce His will. This title is used frequently in prophetic literature to remind the audience of God's ultimate control over all creation and history. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of the message and the power behind the covenant. The use of this title in Malachi reinforces the gravity of the priests' failure and the divine authority behind the call to repentance and reform.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/malachi.htm">Malachi</a></b><br>The prophet through whom God delivers His message to the Israelites. His name means "my messenger" in Hebrew.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/levi.htm">Levi</a></b><br>The tribe of Israel set apart for priestly duties. The covenant with Levi refers to the special relationship and responsibilities given to the Levitical priesthood.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord_of_hosts.htm">The LORD of Hosts</a></b><br>A title for God emphasizing His sovereignty and command over the heavenly armies.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_covenant_with_levi.htm">The Covenant with Levi</a></b><br>A divine agreement establishing the Levitical priesthood's role in worship and spiritual leadership in Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to whom Malachi is prophesying, specifically addressing the priests and their failure to uphold their covenantal duties.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_covenant.htm">Understanding the Covenant</a></b><br>Recognize the significance of God's covenant with Levi as a model of faithfulness and service. The priests were to be examples of holiness and dedication to God's law.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_leadership.htm">Faithfulness in Leadership</a></b><br>The failure of the priests in Malachi's time serves as a warning to spiritual leaders today. Leaders are called to uphold God's standards and lead with integrity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_faithfulness.htm">God's Sovereignty and Faithfulness</a></b><br>Despite human failure, God remains faithful to His promises. His covenant with Levi is a testament to His unchanging nature.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_priesthood.htm">The Role of the Priesthood</a></b><br>While the Levitical priesthood was specific to Israel, the New Testament calls all believers to a "royal priesthood" (<a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a>), emphasizing our role in representing God to the world.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>Malachi's message is a call to repentance. When we stray from God's commands, He invites us back into right relationship with Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_malachi_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Malachi 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_god_vs._satan.htm">What does the Bible say about God versus Satan?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_verify_aaron's_priestly_lineage.htm">How can the exclusive priestly role assigned to Aaron’s descendants (Numbers 18:1–7) be historically verified given the sparse archaeological evidence for tribal lineages? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_levi_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Levi in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_resolve_levite_priestly_shifts.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8–11 assigns the Levites to priestly duties, yet biblical accounts elsewhere suggest shifts in priestly lines; how do we resolve this discrepancy? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/malachi/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Commandment.</span>--Or rather, <span class= "ital">decree,</span> as in <a href="/malachi/2-1.htm" title="And now, O you priests, this commandment is for you.">Malachi 2:1</a>.<p><span class= "bld">That my covenant might be.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">to be my covenant</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> so that this new decree, which I have been compelled to make against the house of Levi, may be my covenant with him instead of the old one, of which the prophet goes on to speak.<p><span class= "bld">Levi</span> denotes throughout the tribe of Levi, and especially the priests, the sons of Aaron. (See Note on <a href="/malachi/3-3.htm" title="And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness.">Malachi 3:3</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/malachi/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Ye shall know.</span> My threats are not vain; this ye shall experience and be forced to acknowledge. <span class="cmt_word">This commandment</span> is the purpose and threat, as in ver. 1 (where see note). <span class="cmt_word">That my covenant might be with Levi</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> that my covenant with Levi might remain firm. The covenant with Levi was the election of that tribe to be the ministers of the sanctuary. There is here a special allusion to the blessing pronounced on Phinehas for his conduct in the matter of Zimri (<a href="/numbers/25-12.htm">Numbers 25:12, 13</a>). This election is called "a covenant," because, while conferring certain privileges, it involved certain duties. The difficulty in this interpretation is that the verb used here (<span class="accented">hayah</span>) does not mean "to remain," "to continue," but only "to be, to exist." Hence many critics take "the commandment" as the subject, translating. "That it (my purpose) may be my covenant with Levi, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> that as God observed the covenant made with the tribe of Levi in old time, so for the future this commandment and threat will be as vigorously observed and take the place of the old covenant. This explanation is too involved and refined to be acceptable. It is easiest to translate, with Henderson and Reinke, "Because my covenant was with Levi," and to understand God as implying that he warned and punished the priests, because he willed that the covenant with Levi should hold good, and he thus desired to have a body of priests who would keep their vows and maintain the true priestly character. What that character is he procoeds to unfold. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/malachi/2-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then you will know</span><br /><span class="heb">וִֽידַעְתֶּ֕ם</span> <span class="translit">(wî·ḏa‘·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֚י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have sent</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁלַּ֣חְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(šil·laḥ·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·lê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֹּ֑את</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2063.htm">Strong's 2063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, </span><br /><br /><span class="word">commandment,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּצְוָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miṣ·wāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4687.htm">Strong's 4687: </a> </span><span class="str2">Commandment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that My covenant</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּרִיתִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(bə·rî·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1285.htm">Strong's 1285: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Levi</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵוִ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(lê·wî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3878.htm">Strong's 3878: </a> </span><span class="str2">Levi -- a son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him</span><br /><br /><span class="word">may continue,”</span><br /><span class="heb">לִֽהְי֤וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(lih·yō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">says</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Hosts.</span><br /><span class="heb">צְבָאֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6635.htm">Strong's 6635: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/malachi/2-4.htm">Malachi 2:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/malachi/2-4.htm">OT Prophets: Malachi 2:4 You will know that I have sent (Malachi Mal Ml) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/malachi/2-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Malachi 2:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Malachi 2:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/malachi/2-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Malachi 2:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Malachi 2:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>