Malachi 1:12

12 "But you profane it by saying that the table of ADONAI is polluted, so that the fruit and food offered deserve contempt.

Malachi 1:12 Meaning and Commentary

Malachi 1:12

But ye have profaned it
That is, the name of the Lord, which they are said to despise, ( Malachi 1:6 ) and pollute, ( Malachi 1:7 ) and is a reason why they and their offerings were rejected: and that they profaned the name of the Lord appears by this, in that ye say, The table of the Lord [is] polluted:
the same with "contemptible", ( Malachi 1:7 ) as Kimchi observes; (See Gill on Malachi 1:7): and the fruit thereof, [even] his meat is contemptible;
the word for fruit F15 sometimes is used for speech, the fruit of the lips, ( Isaiah 57:19 ) and taken in this sense here, as it is by some, may be understood either of the word of God, which commanded such and such sacrifices to be offered up upon the altar, and was despised, so Abarbinel: or the word of the priests, who were continually saying that what was offered up on the altar was contemptible, even the food which they ate of; so Jarchi and Kimchi. "Fruit" and "meat" seem to signify one and the same thing, and design the fruit and meat of the altar; either that which belonged to the Lord, the fat and the blood, which were offered to him, and were reckoned contemptible; or that which fell to the share of the priests, which they thought mean and worthless. Cocceius interprets this of Christ the Branch of the Lord, and fruit of the earth, ( Isaiah 4:2 ) whose meat it was to do the will of him that sent him, and was despised and rejected by the Jews; and which was the reason of God's casting them off, and taking in the Gentiles.


FOOTNOTES:

F15 (wbyn) "et verbum ejus", Pagninus, Munster; "sermo ejus, [vel] eorum", Vatablus; so Ben Melech.

Malachi 1:12 In-Context

10 Why doesn't even one of you shut the doors and thus stop this useless lighting of fires on my altar? I take no pleasure in you," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot, "and I will not receive an offering from you.
11 For from farthest east to farthest west my name is great among the nations. Offerings are presented to my name everywhere, pure gifts; for my name is great among the nations," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot.
12 "But you profane it by saying that the table of ADONAI is polluted, so that the fruit and food offered deserve contempt.
13 You also say, 'It's all so tiresome!' and sniff scornfully at it," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot. "Then you bring animals that were taken by violence, or they are lame or sick. This is the sort of offering you bring. Am I supposed to accept this from you?" asks ADONAI.
14 "Moreover, cursed is the deceiver who has a male animal in his flock that is damaged, but vows and sacrifices to ADONAI anyway. For I am a great king," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot, "and my name is respected among the nations.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.