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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Malachi 1:2 "I have loved you," says the LORD. But you ask, "How have You loved us?" "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the LORD. "Yet Jacob I have loved,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/malachi/1-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/39_Mal_01_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Malachi 1:2 - The LORD's Love for Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I have loved you, says the LORD. But you ask, How have You loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? declares the LORD. Yet Jacob I have loved," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/malachi/1-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/malachi/1-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/malachi/">Malachi</a> > <a href="/malachi/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table 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="/ad2.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/1-1.htm" title="Malachi 1:1">◄</a> Malachi 1:2 <a href="/malachi/1-3.htm" title="Malachi 1:3">►</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">Verse<a href="/bsb/malachi/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/malachi/1.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220I have loved you,&#8221 says the LORD. &#8220But you ask, &#8216How have you loved us?&#8217 &#8220Was not Esau Jacob&#8217s brother?&#8221 declares the LORD. &#8220Yet I have loved Jacob, <a href="/nlt/malachi/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> “I have always loved you,” says the LORD. But you retort, “Really? How have you loved us?” And the LORD replies, “This is how I showed my love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob, <a href="/esv/malachi/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob <a href="/bsb/malachi/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, <a href="/kjv/malachi/1.htm">King James Bible</a> I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, <a href="/nkjv/malachi/1.htm">New King James Version</a> “I have loved you,” says the LORD. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved; <a href="/nasb_/malachi/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have You loved us?” “Was Esau not Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob; <a href="/nasb/malachi/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220I have loved you,&#8221 says the LORD. But you say, &#8220How have You loved us?&#8221 &#8220Was not Esau Jacob&#8217s brother?&#8221 declares the LORD. &#8220Yet I have loved Jacob; <a href="/nasb77/malachi/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How hast Thou loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob; <a href="/lsb/malachi/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “I have loved you,” says Yahweh. But you say, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares Yahweh. “Yet I have loved Jacob; <a href="/amp/malachi/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How and in what way have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I loved Jacob (Israel); <a href="/csb/malachi/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “I have loved you,” says the LORD. Yet you ask, “How have you loved us? ” “Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother? ” This is the LORD’s declaration. “Even so, I loved Jacob, <a href="/hcsb/malachi/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I have loved you,&#8221 says the LORD. But you ask: &#8220How have You loved us?"&#8221 Wasn&#8217t Esau Jacob&#8217s brother?&#8221 This is the LORD&#8217s declaration. &#8220Even so, I loved Jacob, <a href="/asv/malachi/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> I have loved you, saith Jehovah. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother, saith Jehovah: yet I loved Jacob; <a href="/cev/malachi/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Israel, I, the LORD, have loved you. And yet you ask in what way have I loved you. Don't forget that Esau was the brother of your ancestor Jacob, but I chose Jacob <a href="/erv/malachi/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob; <a href="/gwt/malachi/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "I loved you," says the LORD. "But you ask, 'How did you love us?' "Wasn't Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the LORD. "I loved Jacob, <a href="/gnt/malachi/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> The LORD says to his people, "I have always loved you." But they reply, "How have you shown your love for us?" The LORD answers, "Esau and Jacob were brothers, but I have loved Jacob and his descendants, <a href="/isv/malachi/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> "I've loved you," says the LORD. "But you ask, 'How have you loved us?' "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the LORD, "yet I loved Jacob, <a href="/net/malachi/1.htm">NET Bible</a> "I have shown love to you," says the LORD, but you say, "How have you shown love to us?" "Esau was Jacob's brother," the LORD explains, "yet I chose Jacob <a href="/nheb/malachi/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "I have loved you," says the LORD. Yet you say, "How have you loved us?" "Wasn't Esau Jacob's brother?" says the LORD, "Yet I loved Jacob; <a href="/wbt/malachi/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, In what hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/malachi/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, <a href="/web/malachi/1.htm">World English Bible</a> “I have loved you,” says Yahweh. Yet you say, “How have you loved us?” “Wasn’t Esau Jacob’s brother?” says Yahweh, “Yet I loved Jacob; <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/malachi/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “I have loved you, said YHWH, "" And you have said, "" In what have You loved us? <a href="/ylt/malachi/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> I have loved you, said Jehovah, And ye have said, 'In what hast Thou loved us?' <a href="/slt/malachi/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> I loved you, said Jehovah. And ye said, In what didst thou love us? Was not Esau brother to Jacob? says Jehovah: and loving Jacob.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/malachi/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> I have loved you, saith the Lord: and you have said: Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau brother to Jacob, saith the Lord, and I have loved Jacob, <a href="/cpdv/malachi/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> I have loved you, says the Lord, and you have said, “In what way have you loved us?” Was not Esau brother to Jacob, says the Lord? And have I not loved Jacob, <a href="/nabre/malachi/1.htm">New American Bible</a> I love you, says the LORD; but you say, “How do you love us?” <a href="/nrsvce/malachi/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I have loved you, says the LORD. But you say, “How have you loved us?” Is not Esau Jacob’s brother? says the LORD. Yet I have loved Jacob<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/malachi/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> I have loved you, says the LORD. But you say, In what way hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? says the LORD; yet I have loved Jacob, and I have not favored Esau; <a href="/hpbt/malachi/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> I have loved you, says LORD JEHOVAH, and you were saying: ”In what have you loved us?” Was not Esau the brother of Yaqob, says LORD JEHOVAH? I have loved Yaqob and Esau I have hated<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/malachi/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say: 'Wherein hast Thou loved us?' Was not Esau Jacob's brother? Saith the LORD; Yet I loved Jacob; <a href="/sep/malachi/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> I have loved you, saith the Lord. And ye said, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob, <a href="/parallel/malachi/1-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B6KyAs1WSHw?start=4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/malachi/1.htm">The LORD's Love for Israel</a> 1This is the burden of the word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi: 2<a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: ’ā·haḇ·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">“I have loved you,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ·ḵem (DirObjM:: 2mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></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/559.htm" title="559: wa·’ă·mar·tem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">But you ask,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: bam·māh (Prep-b:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“How</a> <a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: ’ă·haḇ·tā·nū (V-Qal-Perf-2ms:: 1cp) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">have You loved us?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō·w- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“Was not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6215.htm" title="6215: ‘ê·śāw (N-proper-ms) -- Apparently a form of the passive participle of asah in the original sense of handling; rough; Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity.">Esau</a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">Jacob’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’āḥ (N-ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">brother?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5002.htm" title="5002: nə·’um- (N-msc) -- Utterance. From na'am; an oracle.">declares</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/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">“Yet Jacob</a> <a href="/hebrew/157.htm" title="157: wā·’ō·haḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To love. Or raheb; a primitive root; to have affection for.">I have loved,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> 3but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/9-13.htm">Romans 9:13</a> So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” <a href="/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23</a> and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” <a href="/genesis/27-27.htm">Genesis 27:27-30</a> So he came near and kissed him. When Isaac smelled his clothing, he blessed him and said: “Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed. / May God give to you the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth—an abundance of grain and new wine. / May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.” ... <a href="/genesis/28-13.htm">Genesis 28:13-15</a> And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. / Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” <a href="/deuteronomy/7-7.htm">Deuteronomy 7:7-8</a> The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. / But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. <a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a> Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” <a href="/genesis/25-28.htm">Genesis 25:28</a> Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob. <a href="/genesis/32-28.htm">Genesis 32:28</a> Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.” <a href="/genesis/33-1.htm">Genesis 33:1-4</a> Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming toward him with four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. / He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear. / But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. ... <a href="/hosea/11-1.htm">Hosea 11:1</a> When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. <a href="/jeremiah/31-3.htm">Jeremiah 31:3</a> The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion. <a href="/obadiah/1-10.htm">Obadiah 1:10-12</a> Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever. / On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them. / But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress. <a href="/isaiah/41-8.htm">Isaiah 41:8-9</a> “But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend— / I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you. <a href="/isaiah/43-4.htm">Isaiah 43:4</a> Because you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you and nations in place of your life. <a href="/isaiah/44-1.htm">Isaiah 44:1-2</a> But now listen, O Jacob My servant, Israel, whom I have chosen. / This is the word of the LORD, your Maker, who formed you from the womb and who will help you: “Do not be afraid, O Jacob My servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>I have loved you, said the LORD. Yet you say, Wherein have you loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? said the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,I have.<a href="/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2-5</a> I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, … <a href="/deuteronomy/7-6.htm">Deuteronomy 7:6-8</a> For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth… <a href="/deuteronomy/10-15.htm">Deuteronomy 10:15</a> Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.<a href="/deuteronomy/32-8.htm">Deuteronomy 32:8-14</a> When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel… Wherein.<a href="/malachi/1-6.htm">Malachi 1:6,7</a> A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? … <a href="/malachi/2-17.htm">Malachi 2:17</a> Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?<a href="/malachi/3-7.htm">Malachi 3:7,8,13,14</a> Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? … yet I.<a href="/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23</a> And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.<a href="/genesis/27-27.htm">Genesis 27:27-30,33</a> And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed: … <a href="/genesis/28-3.htm">Genesis 28:3,4,13,14</a> And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/zechariah/13-8.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-21.htm">Esau</a> <a href="/nahum/2-2.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/micah/1-5.htm">Jacob's</a> <a href="/zechariah/10-6.htm">Loved</a> <a href="/jonah/4-2.htm">Wasn't</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-11.htm">Wherein</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/20-42.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/malachi/1-3.htm">Esau</a> <a href="/malachi/1-3.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/malachi/1-3.htm">Jacob's</a> <a href="/malachi/2-11.htm">Loved</a> <a href="/matthew/15-24.htm">Wasn't</a> <a href="/malachi/1-6.htm">Wherein</a><div class="vheading2">Malachi 1</div>1. <a href="/malachi/1-1.htm">Malachi complains of Israel's unkindness;</a> 2. <a href="/malachi/1-2.htm">of their irreverence and profaneness.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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/1.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/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>“I have loved you,” says the LORD. This declaration of love from God to Israel is foundational, emphasizing His covenantal relationship with His chosen people. The love mentioned here is not merely emotional but is rooted in God's faithfulness and commitment to His promises. This echoes the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, where God chose Israel as His special possession (<a href="/deuteronomy/7-6.htm">Deuteronomy 7:6-8</a>). The love of God is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, highlighting His patience and mercy despite Israel's frequent disobedience.But you ask, “How have You loved us?” This rhetorical question reflects Israel's doubt and spiritual blindness. Despite God's continuous provision and protection, the people question His love, possibly due to their current hardships or unmet expectations. This mirrors the human tendency to question God's love in times of difficulty, similar to the Israelites' complaints during their wilderness journey (<a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7</a>). It also sets the stage for God to remind them of His past faithfulness and the unique relationship He has with them.“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. This reference to Esau and Jacob recalls the story of the twin brothers, sons of Isaac and Rebekah, found in <a href="/genesis/25.htm">Genesis 25</a>. Although Esau was the firstborn, God chose Jacob to carry on the Abrahamic covenant. This choice was not based on merit but on God's sovereign will (<a href="/romans/9-10.htm">Romans 9:10-13</a>). The mention of Esau and Jacob serves to remind Israel of their unique status as God's chosen people, a status not based on human standards but divine election.“Yet Jacob I have loved,” God's love for Jacob signifies His election and favor towards Israel, Jacob's descendants. This love is demonstrated through the blessings and promises given to Jacob, which were not extended to Esau. The phrase underscores the theme of divine election, where God's love and choice are acts of grace rather than human achievement. This is further explored in the New Testament, where God's sovereign choice is a key theme in understanding salvation and grace (<a href="/ephesians/1-4.htm">Ephesians 1:4-5</a>). The love for Jacob also foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, a descendant of Jacob, through whom God's ultimate plan of redemption is fulfilled.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who declares His love for His people. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The nation chosen by God, represented by Jacob, to whom the message of love is directed. 3. <a href="/topical/e/esau.htm">Esau</a> The elder brother of Jacob, representing the nation of Edom, which was not chosen in the same way as Israel. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a> The younger brother of Esau, chosen by God to be the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. 5. <a href="/topical/m/malachi.htm">Malachi</a> The prophet through whom God delivers His message to the people of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereign_love.htm">God's Sovereign Love</a> God's love is not based on human merit but on His sovereign choice and covenant promises. This challenges us to trust in His love even when circumstances seem contrary. <a href="/topical/q/questioning_god's_love.htm">Questioning God's Love</a> Like Israel, we may question God's love in difficult times. This passage encourages us to remember His faithfulness and past acts of love. <a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_divine_election.htm">The Nature of Divine Election</a> God's choice of Jacob over Esau illustrates His sovereign will. Believers are called to rest in the assurance of being chosen by God, not by works, but by His grace. <a href="/topical/c/covenant_relationship.htm">Covenant Relationship</a> God's love for Israel is rooted in His covenant. As Christians, we are reminded of our covenant relationship with God through Christ, which assures us of His steadfast love. <a href="/topical/r/responding_to_god's_love.htm">Responding to God's Love</a> Recognizing God's love should lead to a response of gratitude, worship, and obedience. We are called to live in a way that reflects His love to others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_malachi_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Malachi 1</a> <a href="/q/how_can_god_'hate'_esau_in_malachi.htm">In Malachi 1:2–3, how can God “hate” Esau while also being a loving deity in other scriptures? </a> <a href="/q/what's_malachi's_main_message.htm">What is the main message of the Book of Malachi?</a> <a href="/q/is_your_heart_troubled_by_worries.htm">How does Malachi address Israel's faithfulness and God's promises?</a> <a href="/q/is_god_capable_of_hatred.htm">Is God capable of hatred?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/malachi/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) I have loved--i.e., shown abundant proof of my love. The prophet goes on to show how God has shown so great proofs of His love.Was not Esau Jacob's brother?--And would not one suppose from that fact they would have similar privileges? But not so.I loved Jacob, (3) and I hated Esau . . .--The ethical reason for God's love of Jacob and hatred of Esau is not touched upon here, nor is it necessary to the argument. It is God's love for Israel that the prophet wishes to dwell on, and he mentions the hatred towards Esau merely for the sake of a strong contrast. The nations, Israel and Edom, are here referred to, not the individuals, Jacob and Esau. This passage receives a graphic illustration from the words of <a href="/psalms/137-7.htm" title="Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Raze it, raze it, even to the foundation thereof.">Psalm 137:7</a>, composed after the return from the captivity: "Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Raze it, raze it, even to the foundation thereof." (On St. Paul's application of the words of Malachi, see Notes on <a href="/romans/9-13.htm" title="As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.">Romans 9:13</a>.)Laid his mountains . . . waste . . .--It is a somewhat disputed point to what historical fact this refers. But, on the whole, we may reasonably infer from <a href="/jeremiah/49-7.htm" title="Concerning Edom, thus said the LORD of hosts; Is wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?">Jeremiah 49:7</a>; <a href="/context/jeremiah/49-17.htm" title="Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goes by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof.">Jeremiah 49:17-21</a>, compared with <a href="/jeremiah/25-9.htm" title="Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, said the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.">Jeremiah 25:9</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/25-21.htm" title="Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,">Jeremiah 25:21</a>, that the subjugation of the Edomites by Nebuchadnezzar is here referred to. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/malachi/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2-5. - § 2. The prophet declares God's special love for Israel Verse 2. - I have loved you. The prophet, desiring to bring home to the people their ingratitude, lays down his thesis; then, in his characteristic manner, repeats the objection of the sceptics in an interrogatory form, and refutes it by plain argument. God had shown his love for Israel by electing them to be his people, and by his treatment of them during the whole course of their history. Wherein hast thou loved us! This was the inward feeling of the people at this time. They doubted God's love and faithfulness. Events had not turned out as they expected. They had, indeed, returned from captivity, and the temple was rebuilt; but none of the splendid things announced by the prophets had come to pass. They were not great and victorious; Messiah had not appeared. Therefore they repined and murmured: they were ungrateful for past favours, and questioned God's power and providence. Was not Esau Jacob's brother? God refutes their unjust charge by referring them to a palpable fact, viz. the different fate of the descendants of the twin brothers, Esau and Jacob. How miserable the destiny of the Edomites! how comparatively fortunate the condition of the Israelites! Yet I loved Jacob. <a href="/commentaries/malachi/1-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“I have loved you,” אָהַ֤בְתִּי (’ā·haḇ·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> To have affection f says אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say the LORD. יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel But you ask, וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם (wa·’ă·mar·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “How בַּמָּ֣ה (bam·māh) Preposition-b | Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what have You loved us?” אֲהַבְתָּ֑נוּ (’ă·haḇ·tā·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> To have affection f “Was not הֲלוֹא־ (hă·lō·w-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no Esau עֵשָׂ֤ו (‘ê·śāw) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6215.htm">Strong's 6215: </a> Esau -- oldest son of Isaac Jacob’s לְיַֽעֲקֹב֙ (lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc brother?” אָ֨ח (’āḥ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) declares נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> An oracle the LORD. יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel “Yet Jacob יַעֲקֹֽב׃ (ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc I have loved, וָאֹהַ֖ב (wā·’ō·haḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_157.htm">Strong's 157: </a> To have affection f <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/malachi/1-2.htm">OT Prophets: Malachi 1:2 I have loved you says Yahweh (Malachi Mal Ml) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/malachi/1-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Malachi 1:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Malachi 1:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/malachi/1-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Malachi 1:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Malachi 1:3" /></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>