Malachi 2:10

Judah’s dishonesty

10 Isn't there one father for all of us, one God who created us? Why does everyone cheat each other to make the covenant of our ancestors impure?

Malachi 2:10 Meaning and Commentary

Malachi 2:10

Have we not all one father?
&c.] Whether this is understood of Adam the first man, of whose blood all nations of the earth are made, and who in the same sense is the father of all living, as Eve was the mother of all living; or of Abraham the father of the Jewish people, of whom, as their father, they used to glory; or of Jacob, as Kimchi and Aben Ezra interpret it, whom the Jews used to call our father Jacob; or of God, who is the Father of all men by creation, and of the Jews by national adoption of them; and who may the rather be thought to be meant, since it follows, hath not one God created us?
either as men, or formed us as a body politic; which may serve to explain what is meant by their having one father: whichever is the sense of these words, the argument from hence is strong; that there ought to be no partiality used in the law, or any respect had to persons, in that the rich and the poor have all one Father and one Creator; see ( James 2:1-8 ) : why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother;
by perverting justice, having respect to persons, favouring one to the prejudice of another, as it follows: by profaning the covenant of your fathers?
the covenant made with them at Sinai, as Jarchi explains it; the law that was then enjoined them, particularly such as forbid respect of persons, ( Leviticus 19:15 ) ( Deuteronomy 16:19 ) some think, as Aben Ezra, that a new section here begins, and that the prophet proceeds to a new reproof, and for another sin these people were guilty of, in marrying wives of another nation, contrary to the law in ( Exodus 34:15 ) which was dealing treacherously with one another, and profaning the covenant of their fathers.

Malachi 2:10 In-Context

8 But you have turned from the path. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of heavenly forces.
9 Moreover, I have made you despised and humiliated in the view of all the people, since none of you keep my ways or show respect for Instruction.
10 Isn't there one father for all of us, one God who created us? Why does everyone cheat each other to make the covenant of our ancestors impure?
11 Judah cheated— a detestable thing was done in Israel and Jerusalem. Judah made the LORD's holy place impure, which God loved, and married the daughter of a foreign god.
12 May the LORD eliminate anyone who does so from the tents of Jacob, anyone awaking, testifying, and making an offering to the LORD of heavenly forces.
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