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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 3:13 "Your words against Me have been harsh," says the LORD. "Yet you ask, 'What have we spoken against You?'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/malachi/3-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/39_Mal_03_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Malachi 3:13 - Robbing God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Your words against Me have been harsh, says the LORD. 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What have we said against you?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/malachi/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/malachi/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Your words against Me have been harsh,” says the LORD. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we spoken against You?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/malachi/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken <i>so much</i> against thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/malachi/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Your words have been harsh against Me,” Says the LORD, “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/malachi/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Your words have been arrogant against Me,” says the LORD. “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/malachi/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Your words have been arrogant against Me,&#8221 says the LORD. &#8220Yet you say, &#8216What have we spoken against You?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/malachi/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Your words have been arrogant against Me,” says the LORD. “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against Thee?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/malachi/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Your words have been strong against Me,” says Yahweh. “But you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/malachi/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Your words have been harsh against Me,” says the LORD. “But you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/malachi/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Your words against me are harsh,” says the LORD. Yet you ask, “What have we spoken against you? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/malachi/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Your words against Me are harsh,&#8221 says the LORD. Yet you ask: &#8220What have we spoken against You?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/malachi/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Your words have been stout against me, saith Jehovah. Yet ye say, What have we spoken against thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/malachi/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You have said horrible things about me, and yet you ask, "What have we said?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/malachi/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein have we spoken against thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/malachi/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"You have used harsh words against me," says the LORD. "You ask, 'How have we spoken against you?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/malachi/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"You have said terrible things about me," says the LORD. "But you ask, 'What have we said about you?' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/malachi/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You have spoken arrogant words against me," says the LORD. "Yet you ask, 'What did we say against you?' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/malachi/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Your words against Me have been harsh,? says the LORD. ?Yet you ask, ?What have we spoken against You??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/malachi/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"You have criticized me sharply," says the LORD, "but you ask, 'How have we criticized you?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/malachi/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Your words have been stout against me," says the LORD. "Yet you say, 'What have we spoken against you?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/malachi/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/malachi/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Your words have been harsh against me,” says Yahweh. “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against you?’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/malachi/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“Your words have been hard against Me,” said YHWH, "" “And you have said, What have we spoken against You?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/malachi/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Hard against Me have been your words, Said Jehovah, and ye have said: 'What have we spoken against Thee?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/malachi/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Your words were strong against me, said Jehovah. And ye said, What did we speak against thee?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/malachi/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Your words have been unsufferable to me, saith the Lord. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/malachi/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Your words have gathered strength over me, says the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/malachi/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Your words are too much for me, says the LORD. You ask, “What have we spoken against you?” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/malachi/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You have spoken harsh words against me, says the LORD. Yet you say, “How have we spoken against you?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/malachi/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Your words have been grievous against me, says the LORD. And you say, What have we spoken against thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/malachi/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Your words have been grievous against me, says LORD JEHOVAH, and if you say, ”What have we spoken against you?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/malachi/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Your words have been all too strong against Me, Saith the LORD. Yet ye say: 'Wherein have we spoken against thee?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/malachi/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Ye have spoken grievous words against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye said, Wherein have we spoken against thee?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/malachi/3-13.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=604" 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/3.htm">Robbing God</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>“Then all the nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight,” says the LORD of Hosts. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: diḇ·rê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">“Your words</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against Me</a> <a href="/hebrew/2388.htm" title="2388: ḥā·zə·qū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong, obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer.">have been harsh,”</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.">“Yet you ask,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">‘What</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: niḏ·bar·nū (V-Nifal-Perf-1cp) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">have we spoken</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·le·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against You?’</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the LORD of Hosts?…<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="/isaiah/5-19.htm">Isaiah 5:19</a></span><br />to those who say, “Let Him hurry and hasten His work so that we may see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come so that we may know it!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/21-14.htm">Job 21:14-15</a></span><br />Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways. / Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-8.htm">Psalm 73:8-9</a></span><br />They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. / They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-31.htm">Jeremiah 2:31</a></span><br />You people of this generation, consider the word of the LORD: “Have I been a wilderness to Israel or a land of dense darkness? Why do My people say, ‘We are free to roam; we will come to You no more’?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-25.htm">Ezekiel 18:25</a></span><br />Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is it My way that is unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/1-12.htm">Zephaniah 1:12</a></span><br />And at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the men settled in complacency, who say to themselves, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-3.htm">Isaiah 58:3</a></span><br />“Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/34-9.htm">Job 34:9</a></span><br />For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-11.htm">Psalm 10:11</a></span><br />He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and never sees.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/94-7.htm">Psalm 94:7</a></span><br />They say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36-37</a></span><br />But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-45.htm">Luke 6:45</a></span><br />The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13-14</a></span><br />“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” / “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-5.htm">James 3:5-6</a></span><br />In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. / The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-3.htm">2 Peter 3:3-4</a></span><br />Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. / “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Your words have been stout against me, said the LORD. Yet you say, What have we spoken so much against you?</p><p class="hdg">Your.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/2-17.htm">Malachi 2:17</a></b></br> Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied <i>him</i>? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil <i>is</i> good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where <i>is</i> the God of judgment?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/5-2.htm">Exodus 5:2</a></b></br> And Pharaoh said, Who <i>is</i> the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/32-14.htm">2 Chronicles 32:14-19</a></b></br> Who <i>was there</i> among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand? … </p><p class="hdg">What.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/3-8.htm">Malachi 3:8</a></b></br> Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/malachi/1-6.htm">Malachi 1:6-8</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="/malachi/2-14.htm">Malachi 2:14,17</a></b></br> Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet <i>is</i> she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/zephaniah/3-4.htm">Arrogant</a> <a href="/malachi/2-8.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-3.htm">Harsh</a> <a href="/malachi/3-8.htm">How</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-3.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/amos/2-16.htm">Stout</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-8.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/malachi/3-8.htm">Wherein</a> <a href="/malachi/2-17.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/malachi/3-15.htm">Arrogant</a> <a href="/matthew/7-14.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/luke/19-21.htm">Harsh</a> <a href="/luke/15-17.htm">How</a> <a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/job/4-11.htm">Stout</a> <a href="/matthew/8-31.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/matthew/11-20.htm">Wherein</a> <a href="/matthew/2-5.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Malachi 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/malachi/3-1.htm">Of the messenger, majesty, and grace of Christ.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/malachi/3-7.htm">Of the rebellion,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/malachi/3-8.htm">sacrilege,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/malachi/3-13.htm">and infidelity of the people.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/malachi/3-16.htm">The promise of blessing to those who fear God.</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/3.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/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Your words against Me have been harsh,</b><br>In this phrase, God is addressing the Israelites through the prophet Malachi. The term "harsh" indicates that the people have spoken arrogantly or disrespectfully about God. This reflects a broader theme in Malachi where the Israelites are accused of failing to honor God properly. Historically, this period follows the return from Babylonian exile, a time when the Jewish community was struggling with disillusionment and spiritual apathy. The harsh words likely refer to complaints about God's justice and the perceived futility of serving Him, as seen in <a href="/malachi/3-14.htm">Malachi 3:14-15</a>. This echoes earlier complaints in the wilderness (<a href="/exodus/16-3.htm">Exodus 16:3</a>) and highlights a recurring pattern of doubt and rebellion among God's people.<p><b>says the LORD.</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the authority and sovereignty of God as the speaker. The use of "LORD" in all capitals signifies the divine name YHWH, underscoring His covenant relationship with Israel. It is a reminder of God's unchanging nature and His role as the ultimate judge and ruler. The prophetic declaration serves as a call to repentance and a warning of impending judgment, consistent with the messages of other prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah.<p><b>Yet you ask,</b><br>Here, God anticipates the response of the Israelites, who are portrayed as being unaware or in denial of their wrongdoing. This rhetorical device is common in prophetic literature, where God engages in a dialogue with His people to reveal their sins and call them to account. It reflects a lack of self-awareness or understanding among the Israelites regarding their spiritual condition.<p><b>‘What have we spoken against You?’</b><br>This question reveals the people's ignorance or self-deception about their actions. It suggests a disconnect between their perception and reality, as they fail to recognize their complaints and accusations against God. This mirrors the attitude of the Israelites in other parts of the Old Testament, such as in the book of Judges, where they repeatedly fall into sin and fail to see their need for repentance. The question also sets the stage for God to provide specific examples of their transgressions, as He does in the verses that follow.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who is addressing the people through the prophet Malachi.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who are being accused of speaking harshly against the LORD.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/malachi.htm">Malachi</a></b><br>The prophet through whom God delivers His message to the Israelites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/post-exilic_jerusalem.htm">Post-Exilic Jerusalem</a></b><br>The setting of Malachi's prophecy, a time when the Israelites had returned from Babylonian exile and were rebuilding their community and faith.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dialogue.htm">The Dialogue</a></b><br>A rhetorical conversation between God and the Israelites, highlighting their misunderstanding and spiritual complacency.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Our words reflect our heart's condition and can either honor or dishonor God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a></b><br>Like the Israelites, we must examine our attitudes and words to ensure they align with God's truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_complacency.htm">Spiritual Complacency</a></b><br>Beware of becoming complacent in our faith, leading to a disconnect between our words and actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_call_to_repentance.htm">God's Call to Repentance</a></b><br>God invites us to recognize our faults and return to Him with sincerity and humility.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_reverence.htm">The Importance of Reverence</a></b><br>Maintaining a reverent attitude towards God is crucial in our relationship with Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_malachi_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Malachi 3</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/why_mention_'new_things'_in_isaiah_48_6-7.htm">Why does Isaiah 48:6-7 mention 'new things' suddenly revealed, if God's will or word is supposed to be consistent and unchanging?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_so_many_differing_christian_doctrines.htm">2 Corinthians 13:8 - If nothing can be done against the truth, why are there so many differing, and sometimes contradictory, Christian doctrines and interpretations today?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_attribute_malachi's_quote_to_isaiah.htm">In Mark 1:2-3, why does the text attribute a combined quote from Malachi and Isaiah solely to Isaiah?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/malachi/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">Your words</span> . . . <span class= "bld">against me.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">your words put a constraint on me</span>: viz., to prove myself to you to be "the God of judgment."<p><span class= "bld">Spoken.</span>--Or rather, <span class= "ital">conversed together.</span> (Comp. <a href="/malachi/3-16.htm" title="Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD listened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought on his name.">Malachi 3:16</a>.) They seem to have been in the habit of conversing together, and comparing the promises of God towards them with the then state of affairs. God had promised that they should be a proverb among the nations for blessedness; but, say they, seeing that things are as they are, "we [feel more inclined to] call the proud happy [or blessed]." (See further in Note on <a href="/malachi/3-15.htm" title="And now we call the proud happy; yes, they that work wickedness are set up; yes, they that tempt God are even delivered.">Malachi 3:15</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/malachi/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 13-18.</span> - § 3. The <span class="accented">impious murmuring of the people is contrasted with the conduct of those who fear God</span>; <span class="accented">and the reward of the pious is set forth.</span> <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Your words have been stout against me.</span> Ye have spoken hard words of me (comp. <a href="/jude/1-15.htm">Jude 1:15</a>, where we read of "the hard speeches (<span class="greek">σκληρῶν</span>) which ungodly sinners have spoken against" God). Some specimens of these speeches are given in answer to the usual sceptical inquiry. They are of the same character as those in <a href="/malachi/2-17.htm">Malachi 2:17</a>, and imply that the course of this world is not directed by a moral Governor. <span class="cmt_word">What have we spoken so much</span> (<span class="accented">together</span>) <span class="cmt_word">against thee!</span> What have we said against thee in our conversations with one another? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/malachi/3-13.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">“Your words</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּבְרֵיכֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(diḇ·rê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against Me</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלַ֛י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have been harsh,”</span><br /><span class="heb">חָזְק֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·zə·qū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2388.htm">Strong's 2388: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">says</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֣ר</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">יְהוָ֑ה</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">“Yet you ask,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֕ם</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·mar·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_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘What</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have we spoken</span><br /><span class="heb">נִּדְבַּ֖רְנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(niḏ·bar·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against You?’</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלֶֽיךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·le·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/malachi/3-13.htm">Malachi 3:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/malachi/3-13.htm">Malachi 3:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/malachi/3-13.htm">Malachi 3:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/malachi/3-13.htm">Malachi 3:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/malachi/3-13.htm">Malachi 3:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/malachi/3-13.htm">Malachi 3:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/malachi/3-13.htm">Malachi 3:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/malachi/3-13.htm">Malachi 3:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/malachi/3-13.htm">Malachi 3:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/malachi/3-13.htm">Malachi 3:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/malachi/3-13.htm">OT Prophets: Malachi 3:13 Your words have been stout against me (Malachi Mal Ml) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/malachi/3-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Malachi 3:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Malachi 3:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/malachi/3-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Malachi 3:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Malachi 3:14" /></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>