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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 2:1 "And now this decree is for you, O priests:</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/malachi/2-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/39_Mal_02_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Malachi 2:1 - A Warning to Priests" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And now this decree is for you, O priests:" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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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/1-14.htm" title="Malachi 1:14">◄</a> Malachi 2:1 <a href="/malachi/2-2.htm" title="Malachi 2:2">►</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 />&#8220And now, you priests, this warning is for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/malachi/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Listen, you priests—this command is for you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/malachi/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“And now, O priests, this command is for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/malachi/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“And now this decree is for you, O priests:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/malachi/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And now, O ye priests, this commandment <i>is</i> for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/malachi/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“And now, O priests, this commandment is for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/malachi/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“And now, this commandment is for you, the priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/malachi/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220And now this commandment is for you, O priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/malachi/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And now, this commandment is for you, O priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/malachi/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“And now this commandment is for you, O priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/malachi/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Now, O priests, this commandment is for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/malachi/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Therefore, this decree is for you priests:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/malachi/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore, this decree is for you priests: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/malachi/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/malachi/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I, the LORD All-Powerful, have something else to say to you priests. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/malachi/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/malachi/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"And now, you priests, this warning is for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/malachi/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD Almighty says to the priests, "This command is for you: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/malachi/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now this commandment is for you priests: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/malachi/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?And now this decree is for you, O priests:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/malachi/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Now, you priests, this commandment is for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/malachi/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Now, you priests, this commandment is for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/malachi/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/malachi/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Now, you priests, this commandment is for you. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/malachi/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“And now, to you [is] this charge, O priests,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/malachi/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And now, to you is this charge, O priests,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/malachi/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And now to you this command, O ye priests.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/malachi/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And now, O ye priests, this commandment is to you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/malachi/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And now, O priests, this command is to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/malachi/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />And now, priests, this commandment is for you: If you do not listen, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/malachi/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And now, O priests, this command is for you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/malachi/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />NOW therefore, O priests, this commandment is for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/malachi/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Therefore this commandment is for you Priests<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/malachi/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And now, this commandment Is for you, O ye priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/malachi/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And now, O priests, this commandment is to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/malachi/2-1.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=210" 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">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: wə·‘at·tāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">“And now</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.">decree</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- To, into, towards. ">is for you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hă·nîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">O priests:</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to honor My name,” says the LORD of Hosts, “I will send a curse among you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already begun to curse them, because you are not taking it to heart.…<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="/malachi/1-6.htm">Malachi 1:6-8</a></span><br />“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ / By presenting defiled food on My altar. But you ask, ‘How have we defiled You?’ By saying that the table of the LORD is contemptible. / When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-1.htm">Malachi 3:1-3</a></span><br />“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. / But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. / And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">Jeremiah 23:1-2</a></span><br />“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD. / Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says about the shepherds who tend My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your deeds, declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-1.htm">Ezekiel 34:1-10</a></span><br />Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Isaiah 56:10-12</a></span><br />Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. / Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain: / “Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/11-17.htm">Zechariah 11:17</a></span><br />Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May a sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered and his right eye utterly blinded!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-27.htm">1 Samuel 2:27-36</a></span><br />Then a man of God came to Eli and told him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh’s house? / And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites. / Why then do you kick at My sacrifice and offering that I have prescribed for My dwelling place? You have honored your sons more than Me by fattening yourselves with the best of all the offerings of My people Israel.’ ...<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="/matthew/23-1.htm">Matthew 23:1-3</a></span><br />Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: / “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. / So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Matthew 23:13-15</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/7-6.htm">Mark 7:6-9</a></span><br />Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ / You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-42.htm">Luke 11:42-44</a></span><br />Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. / Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the chief seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces. / Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, which men walk over without even noticing.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-12.htm">John 10:12-13</a></span><br />The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And now, O you priests, this commandment is for you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/1-6.htm">Malachi 1:6</a></b></br> A son honoureth <i>his</i> father, and a servant his master: if then I <i>be</i> a father, where <i>is</i> mine honour? and if I <i>be</i> a master, where <i>is</i> my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/13-13.htm">Jeremiah 13:13</a></b></br> Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David's throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/4-13.htm">Lamentations 4:13</a></b></br> For the sins of her prophets, <i>and</i> the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-13.htm">Admonition</a> <a href="/zechariah/10-3.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-10.htm">Command</a> <a href="/nahum/1-14.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-4.htm">Order</a> <a href="/malachi/1-6.htm">Priests</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/malachi/2-4.htm">Admonition</a> <a href="/malachi/2-4.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/malachi/2-4.htm">Command</a> <a href="/malachi/2-4.htm">Commandment</a> <a href="/malachi/2-4.htm">Order</a> <a href="/matthew/2-4.htm">Priests</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>And now</b><br>This phrase indicates a transition or a new section in the text. It suggests urgency and immediacy, calling attention to the message that follows. In the context of Malachi, it serves as a direct address to the audience, emphasizing the importance of the message.<p><b>this decree</b><br>The term "decree" refers to a formal and authoritative order. In the biblical context, it often implies a divine command or judgment. This decree is not merely a suggestion but a binding directive from God. It reflects the seriousness of the message and the expectation of compliance.<p><b>is for you</b><br>The specificity of "for you" personalizes the message, indicating that it is directed at a particular group. It underscores the accountability and responsibility of the recipients to heed the message. This personal address highlights the relational aspect of God's communication with His people.<p><b>O priests</b><br>The priests were the religious leaders responsible for maintaining the temple worship and teaching the law. They held a position of spiritual authority and were expected to model faithfulness and obedience. In the historical context, the priests had become negligent in their duties, leading to corruption and a decline in spiritual integrity. This address serves as a rebuke and a call to repentance. The role of the priesthood is also a type of Christ, who is our ultimate High Priest, fulfilling the law and offering the perfect sacrifice for sin.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/malachi.htm">Malachi</a></b><br>The last prophet in the Old Testament, whose name means "my messenger." He delivered God's message to the Israelites after the return from Babylonian exile.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/priests.htm">Priests</a></b><br>The religious leaders of Israel, responsible for maintaining the temple worship and teaching the law to the people. In Malachi's time, they were failing in their duties.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to whom Malachi was sent, specifically addressing the spiritual and moral decline among the people and their leaders.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/temple.htm">Temple</a></b><br>The central place of worship in Jerusalem, where the priests served and where sacrifices were offered.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/decree.htm">Decree</a></b><br>A divine command or warning given by God through Malachi to the priests, calling them to account for their actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/responsibility_of_leadership.htm">Responsibility of Leadership</a></b><br>Spiritual leaders are held to a high standard and must faithfully teach and live out God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_holiness.htm">Call to Holiness</a></b><br>Just as the priests were called to holiness, all believers are called to live holy lives, reflecting God's character.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability.htm">Accountability</a></b><br>God holds His people accountable, especially those in leadership, for their actions and teachings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_worship.htm">Faithfulness in Worship</a></b><br>Worship should be sincere and in accordance with God's commands, not merely ritualistic or superficial.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_renewal.htm">Repentance and Renewal</a></b><br>When confronted with sin, there is a need for repentance and a return to faithful service to God.<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/who_wrote_malachi.htm">Who is the author of the book of Malachi?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/malachi_on_israel's_faith_and_god's_promises.htm">How does Malachi address Israel's faithfulness and God's promises?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_isaiah_28_7-8_conflict_with_other_passages.htm">In Isaiah 28:7–8, does the portrayal of priests and prophets being overcome by alcohol conflict with other passages that commend upright spiritual leaders? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_zech._10_3_conflict_with_righteous_leaders.htm">Zechariah 10:3: Does punishing the “shepherds” conflict with other passages that present divinely appointed leaders as righteous? </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>II.</span><p>(1-9) The decree against the priests.<p>(1) <span class= "bld">Commandment.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">decree.</span> (Comp. the use of the verb from which this substantive is derived in <a href="/nahum/1-14.htm" title="And the LORD has given a commandment concerning you, that no more of your name be sown: out of the house of your gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make your grave; for you are vile.">Nahum 1:14</a>; <a href="/psalms/7-6.htm" title="Arise, O LORD, in your anger, lift up yourself because of the rage of my enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that you have commanded.">Psalm 7:6</a>; <a href="/psalms/42-8.htm" title="Yet the LORD will command his loving kindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer to the God of my life.">Psalm 42:8</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/malachi/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-4.</span> - § 4<span class="accented">. For these derelictions of duty the priests are threatened with punishment.</span> <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">This commandment</span>. The threat or announcement is called a commandment, because God ordains it and imposes its execution on certain instruments. (For the expression, camp. <a href="/leviticus/25-21.htm">Leviticus 25:21</a>.) The threat is contained in vers. 2, 3. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/malachi/2-1.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">And now</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַתָּ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֹּ֖את</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">decree</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּצְוָ֥ה</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">is for you,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲלֵיכֶ֛ם</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">O priests:</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכֹּהֲנִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(hak·kō·hă·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/malachi/2-1.htm">Malachi 2:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/malachi/2-1.htm">Malachi 2:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/malachi/2-1.htm">Malachi 2:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/malachi/2-1.htm">Malachi 2:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/malachi/2-1.htm">Malachi 2:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/malachi/2-1.htm">Malachi 2:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/malachi/2-1.htm">Malachi 2:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/malachi/2-1.htm">Malachi 2:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/malachi/2-1.htm">Malachi 2:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/malachi/2-1.htm">Malachi 2:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/malachi/2-1.htm">OT Prophets: Malachi 2:1 Now you priests this commandment (Malachi Mal Ml) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/malachi/1-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Malachi 1:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Malachi 1:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/malachi/2-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Malachi 2:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Malachi 2:2" /></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>