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Return to me, and I will return to you,&#8221 says the LORD Almighty. &#8220But you ask, &#8216How are we to return?&#8217 <a href="/nlt/malachi/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’ <a href="/esv/malachi/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ <a href="/bsb/malachi/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Yet from the days of your fathers, you have turned away from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Hosts. “But you ask, ‘How can we return?’ <a href="/kjv/malachi/3.htm">King James Bible</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? <a href="/nkjv/malachi/3.htm">New King James Version</a> Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” Says the LORD of hosts. “But you said, ‘In what way shall we return?’ <a href="/nasb_/malachi/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “From the days of your fathers you have turned away from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of armies. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ <a href="/nasb/malachi/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,&#8221 says the LORD of hosts. &#8220But you say, &#8216How shall we return?&#8217 <a href="/nasb77/malachi/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes, and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ <a href="/lsb/malachi/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says Yahweh of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ <a href="/amp/malachi/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Yet from the days of your fathers you have turned away from My statutes and ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ <a href="/csb/malachi/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Since the days of your ancestors, you have turned from my statutes; you have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Armies. Yet you ask, “How can we return? ” <a href="/hcsb/malachi/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Since the days of your fathers, you have turned from My statutes; you have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,&#8221 says the LORD of Hosts. But you ask: &#8220How can we return?"&#8221 <a href="/asv/malachi/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> From the days of your fathers ye have turned aside from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith Jehovah of hosts. But ye say, Wherein shall we return? <a href="/cev/malachi/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> even though you have ignored and disobeyed my laws ever since the time of your ancestors. But if you return to me, I will return to you. And yet you ask, "How can we return?" <a href="/erv/malachi/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> From the days of your fathers ye have turned aside from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye say, Wherein shall we return? <a href="/gwt/malachi/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my laws and have not followed them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD of Armies. "But you ask, 'How can we return?' <a href="/gnt/malachi/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> You, like your ancestors before you, have turned away from my laws and have not kept them. Turn back to me, and I will turn to you. But you ask, 'What must we do to turn back to you?' <a href="/isv/malachi/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Ever since the time of your ancestors, you have turned away from my decrees and haven't kept them. Return to me and I'll return to you," says the LORD of the Heavenly Armies. "But you ask, 'How will we return?' <a href="/msb/malachi/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Yet from the days of your fathers, you have turned away from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,? says the LORD of Hosts. ?But you ask, ?How can we return?? <a href="/net/malachi/3.htm">NET Bible</a> From the days of your ancestors you have ignored my commandments and have not kept them! Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD who rules over all. "But you say, 'How should we return?' <a href="/nheb/malachi/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my ordinances, and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts. "But you say, 'How shall we return?' <a href="/wbt/malachi/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Even from the days of your fathers ye have gone away from my ordinances, and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, In what shall we return? <a href="/web/malachi/3.htm">World English Bible</a> From the days of your fathers you have turned away from my ordinances and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says Yahweh of Armies. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/malachi/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Even from the days of your fathers You have turned aside from My statutes, "" And you have not taken heed. Return to Me, and I return to you,” said YHWH of Hosts. “And you have said, "" In what do we turn back? <a href="/ylt/malachi/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Even from the days of your fathers Ye have turned aside from My statutes, And ye have not taken heed. Turn back unto Me, and I turn back to you, Said Jehovah of Hosts. And ye have said, 'In what do we turn back?' <a href="/slt/malachi/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For from the days of your fathers ye departed from my laws, and ye watched not. Turn back to me and I will turn back to you, said Jehovah of armies. And ye said, In what shall we turn back?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/malachi/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For from the days of your fathers you have departed from my ordinances, and have not kept them: Return to me, and I will return to you, saith the Lord of hosts. And you have said: Wherein shall we return? <a href="/cpdv/malachi/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For, from the days of your fathers, you have withdrawn from my ordinances and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. And you have said, “In what way, shall we return?” <a href="/nabre/malachi/3.htm">New American Bible</a> Since the days of your ancestors you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, that I may return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, “Why should we return?” <a href="/nrsvce/malachi/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Ever since the days of your ancestors you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, “How shall we return?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/malachi/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Even from the days of your fathers you have gone astray from my ordinances and have not obeyed them. Return to me and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, How shall we return? <a href="/hpbt/malachi/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> From the days of your fathers you have turned from my commandments and you have not listened to them; return to me and I shall return to you, says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts, and if you say: ”To what shall we return?”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/malachi/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> From the days of your fathers ye have turned aside From Mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, Saith the LORD of hosts. But ye say: 'Wherein shall we return?' <a href="/sep/malachi/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> but ye, the sons of Jacob, have not refrained from the iniquities of your fathers: ye have perverted my statutes, and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, saith the Lord Almighty. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? <a href="/parallel/malachi/3-7.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=532" 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/3.htm">Robbing God</a> 6“Because I, the LORD, do not change, you descendants of Jacob have not been destroyed. 7<a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: lə·mî·mê (Prep-l, Prep-m:: N-mpc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">Yet from the days</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ă·ḇō·ṯê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">of your fathers,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5493.htm" title="5493: sar·tem (V-Qal-Perf-2mp) -- To turn aside. Or suwr; a primitive root; to turn off.">you have turned away</a> <a href="/hebrew/2706.htm" title="2706: mê·ḥuq·qay (Prep-m:: N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Something prescribed or owed, a statute. From chaqaq; an enactment; hence, an appointment.">from My statutes</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and have not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: šə·mar·tem (V-Qal-Perf-2mp) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">kept them.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šū·ḇū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">Return</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. ">to Me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: wə·’ā·šū·ḇāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.Cohort-1cs) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">and I will return</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- To, into, towards. ">to you,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">says</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/6635.htm" title="6635: ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ (N-cp) -- Or tsbadah; from tsaba'; a mass of persons, especially reg. Organized for war; by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively.">of Hosts.</a> <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·meh (Prep-b:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">‘How</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: nā·šūḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">can we return?’</a> 8Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings.…<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="/2_chronicles/7-14.htm">2 Chronicles 7:14</a> and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. <a href="/zechariah/1-3.htm">Zechariah 1:3</a> So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’ <a href="/james/4-8.htm">James 4:8</a> Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. <a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm">Isaiah 55:7</a> Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. <a href="/jeremiah/3-12.htm">Jeremiah 3:12-14</a> Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, O faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will not be angry forever. / Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the LORD your God. You have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every green tree and have not obeyed My voice,’” declares the LORD. / “Return, O faithless children,” declares the LORD, “for I am your master, and I will take you—one from a city and two from a family—and bring you to Zion. <a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a> “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. <a href="/hosea/14-1.htm">Hosea 14:1-2</a> Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. / Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips. <a href="/deuteronomy/4-29.htm">Deuteronomy 4:29-31</a> But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. / When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. / For the LORD your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers, which He swore to them by oath. <a href="/matthew/3-2.htm">Matthew 3:2</a> and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” <a href="/acts/3-19.htm">Acts 3:19</a> Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, <a href="/jeremiah/4-1.htm">Jeremiah 4:1</a> “If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” declares the LORD. “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight and no longer waver, <a href="/ezekiel/18-30.htm">Ezekiel 18:30-32</a> Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live! <a href="/luke/15-7.htm">Luke 15:7</a> I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent. <a href="/isaiah/44-22.htm">Isaiah 44:22</a> I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you. <a href="/1_john/1-9.htm">1 John 1:9</a> If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Even from the days of your fathers you are gone away from my ordinances, and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, said the LORD of hosts. But you said, Wherein shall we return?from the.<a href="/deuteronomy/9-7.htm">Deuteronomy 9:7-21</a> Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD… <a href="/deuteronomy/31-20.htm">Deuteronomy 31:20,27-29</a> For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant… <a href="/nehemiah/9-16.htm">Nehemiah 9:16,17,26,28-30</a> But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments, … Return unto me.<a href="/leviticus/26-40.htm">Leviticus 26:40-42</a> If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; … <a href="/deuteronomy/4-29.htm">Deuteronomy 4:29-31</a> But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul… <a href="/deuteronomy/30-1.htm">Deuteronomy 30:1-4</a> And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee, … Wherein.<a href="/malachi/3-13.htm">Malachi 3:13</a> Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?<a href="/malachi/1-6.htm">Malachi 1:6</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="/isaiah/65-2.htm">Isaiah 65:2</a> I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/malachi/2-16.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-6.htm">Decrees</a> <a href="/malachi/2-8.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/malachi/2-10.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-5.htm">Forefathers</a> <a href="/malachi/2-16.htm">Hosts</a> <a href="/malachi/1-7.htm">How</a> <a href="/malachi/2-9.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-3.htm">Ordinances</a> <a href="/hosea/8-12.htm">Rules</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-6.htm">Statutes</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-7.htm">Time</a> <a href="/malachi/2-8.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/malachi/2-17.htm">Wherein</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/malachi/3-10.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/malachi/3-10.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/malachi/4-4.htm">Decrees</a> <a href="/matthew/2-9.htm">Departed</a> <a href="/malachi/4-6.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/matthew/23-30.htm">Forefathers</a> <a href="/malachi/3-10.htm">Hosts</a> <a href="/malachi/3-8.htm">How</a> <a href="/malachi/3-8.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/malachi/4-4.htm">Ordinances</a> <a href="/malachi/4-4.htm">Rules</a> <a href="/malachi/4-4.htm">Statutes</a> <a href="/malachi/3-11.htm">Time</a> <a href="/malachi/3-18.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/malachi/3-8.htm">Wherein</a><div class="vheading2">Malachi 3</div>1. <a href="/malachi/3-1.htm">Of the messenger, majesty, and grace of Christ.</a> 7. <a href="/malachi/3-7.htm">Of the rebellion,</a> 8. <a href="/malachi/3-8.htm">sacrilege,</a> 13. <a href="/malachi/3-13.htm">and infidelity of the people.</a> 16. <a href="/malachi/3-16.htm">The promise of blessing to those who fear God.</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/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>Yet from the days of your fathers, you have turned away from My statutes and have not kept them. This phrase highlights a recurring theme in the Old Testament: the persistent disobedience of the Israelites. Historically, this refers to the period after the Exodus when the Israelites repeatedly broke God's commandments, as seen in the books of Judges and Kings. The "days of your fathers" suggests a long-standing pattern of rebellion, emphasizing the generational nature of sin. This disobedience is not just a failure to follow rules but a breach of the covenant relationship with God. The statutes refer to the laws given through Moses, which were meant to set Israel apart as God's chosen people. This turning away is a spiritual apostasy, indicating a heart issue rather than mere external compliance.Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Hosts. This call to return is a central theme in prophetic literature, emphasizing repentance and restoration. The concept of returning (Hebrew: "shuv") implies a complete change of direction, a turning back to God with sincerity. The promise that God will return to them underscores His faithfulness and readiness to forgive. The title "LORD of Hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) emphasizes God's sovereignty and power, suggesting that He commands the armies of heaven and is fully capable of restoring His people. This phrase echoes the covenantal promise found in <a href="/deuteronomy/30-2.htm">Deuteronomy 30:2-3</a>, where God promises to restore His people if they return to Him with all their heart and soul.But you ask, ‘How can we return?’ This rhetorical question reveals the people's spiritual blindness and lack of self-awareness. It suggests either ignorance of their sin or a refusal to acknowledge it. This question can be seen as a challenge to the prophet's message, indicating a disconnect between the people's perception of their relationship with God and the reality. It reflects a common human tendency to justify oneself rather than admit wrongdoing. The question also sets the stage for the subsequent verses, where God, through Malachi, will outline specific areas of disobedience, such as tithing and justice, providing a clear path for repentance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord_of_hosts.htm">The LORD of Hosts</a> This title emphasizes God's sovereignty and power over all heavenly armies, underscoring His authority to command repentance and promise restoration. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The people of Israel, who have historically turned away from God's statutes, are being addressed. They are called to return to God, highlighting their covenant relationship with Him. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_days_of_your_fathers.htm">The Days of Your Fathers</a> This phrase refers to the historical pattern of disobedience among the ancestors of the Israelites, indicating a long-standing issue of turning away from God's commands. 4. <a href="/topical/r/return_to_me.htm">Return to Me</a> This is a call to repentance, inviting the Israelites to restore their relationship with God by turning back to His ways. 5. <a href="/topical/s/statutes.htm">Statutes</a> These are the laws and commands given by God, which the Israelites have neglected, leading to their estrangement from Him.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a> God consistently calls His people to repentance, highlighting His desire for a restored relationship. This call is timeless and applicable to all believers today. <a href="/topical/t/the_faithfulness_of_god.htm">The Faithfulness of God</a> Despite human unfaithfulness, God remains faithful and ready to restore those who return to Him. This underscores His unchanging nature and grace. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_our_heritage.htm">Understanding Our Heritage</a> Recognizing the patterns of disobedience in our spiritual heritage can help us avoid repeating the same mistakes. Reflect on your spiritual journey and identify areas needing realignment with God's statutes. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a> Obedience to God's statutes is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship with Him. Evaluate your life for areas where obedience can be strengthened. <a href="/topical/g/god's_invitation_to_dialogue.htm">God's Invitation to Dialogue</a> The question, "How can we return?" invites an honest dialogue with God. Engage in prayerful conversation, seeking His guidance on how to return to Him fully.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_malachi_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Malachi 3</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'return_to_me'_mean.htm">What does "Return to Me, and I will return" mean?</a> <a href="/q/are_all_things_pure_to_the_pure.htm">What does 'Return to Me, and I will return' mean?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_malachi_4_conflict_with_grace.htm">Why does Malachi 4’s emphasis on judgment seem to conflict with other biblical passages that portray God’s grace and mercy toward evildoers?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_existentialism.htm">What defines existentialism as a philosophical movement?</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>(7) Even from . . . fathers.--Throughout the whole course of their history they had been a people (<a href="/exodus/32-9.htm" title="And the LORD said to Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiff necked people:">Exodus 32:9</a>, &c.); and now, when exhorted to repent, they ask in feigned innocence:--Wherein shall we return? . . . Return unto me . . . unto you.--Comp. <a href="/zechariah/1-3.htm" title="Therefore say you to them, Thus said the LORD of hosts; Turn you to me, said the LORD of hosts, and I will turn to you, said the LORD of hosts.">Zechariah 1:3</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/malachi/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 7-12. § 2. God indeed is faithful to his promises, but the people's own conduct has occasioned the withholding of favours: they have been shamefully negligent in the matter of tithes and offerings; let them amend their practice, and they shall be blessed. Verse 7. - Ye are gone away (have turned aside) from mine ordinances. Disobedience was no new offence; they had always from early days been persistent in wickedness; and if the performance of God's sure promise was delayed, this was because they had not fulfilled the conditions on which rested its accomplishment. Return: unto me, and I will return unto you (<a href="/zechariah/1-3.htm">Zechariah 1:3</a>, where see note). Man must cooperate with God's preventing grace, and then God gives him further grace unto repentance and amendment. Here, if the people followed the preaching of the prophets and obeyed the promptings of the Holy Spirit, God promises to bless and save them. Wherein shall we return? Here is the Pharisaical spirit, as in <a href="/malachi/1-6.htm">Malachi 1:6</a>, etc. They do not acknowledge their offence; they consider that they are righteous and need no repentance. <a href="/commentaries/malachi/3-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Yet from the days לְמִימֵ֨י (lə·mî·mê) Preposition-l, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day of your fathers, אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֜ם (’ă·ḇō·ṯê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father you have turned away סַרְתֶּ֤ם (sar·tem) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5493.htm">Strong's 5493: </a> To turn aside from My statutes מֵֽחֻקַּי֙ (mê·ḥuq·qay) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2706.htm">Strong's 2706: </a> Something prescribed or owed, a statute and have not וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no kept them. שְׁמַרְתֶּ֔ם (šə·mar·tem) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to Return שׁ֤וּבוּ (šū·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again to Me, אֵלַי֙ (’ê·lay) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to and I will return וְאָשׁ֣וּבָה (wə·’ā·šū·ḇāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again to you,” אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם (’ă·lê·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to says אָמַ֖ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say the LORD יְהוָ֣ה (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 of Hosts. צְבָא֑וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ) Noun - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6635.htm">Strong's 6635: </a> A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign 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 בַּמֶּ֥ה (bam·meh) Preposition-b | Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what can we return?” נָשֽׁוּב׃ (nā·šūḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/malachi/3-7.htm">Malachi 3:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/malachi/3-7.htm">Malachi 3:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/malachi/3-7.htm">Malachi 3:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/malachi/3-7.htm">Malachi 3:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/malachi/3-7.htm">Malachi 3:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/malachi/3-7.htm">Malachi 3:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/malachi/3-7.htm">Malachi 3:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/malachi/3-7.htm">Malachi 3:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/malachi/3-7.htm">Malachi 3:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/malachi/3-7.htm">Malachi 3:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/malachi/3-7.htm">OT Prophets: Malachi 3:7 From the days of your fathers you (Malachi Mal Ml) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/malachi/3-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Malachi 3:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Malachi 3:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/malachi/3-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Malachi 3:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Malachi 3:8" /></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>