Malachi 4:6

6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

Malachi 4:6 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
English Standard Version (ESV)
6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction."
New Living Translation (NLT)
6 His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
The Message Bible (MSG)
6 He will convince parents to look after their children and children to look up to their parents. If they refuse, I'll come and put the land under a curse."
American Standard Version (ASV)
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
6 He will change parents' attitudes toward their children and children's attitudes toward their parents. If not, I will come and reclaim my land by destroying you."
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to [their] children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse."
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
6 Elijah will teach parents how to love their children. He will also teach children how to honor their parents. If that does not happen, I will come. And I will put a curse on the land."

Malachi 4:6 Meaning and Commentary

Malachi 4:6

And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children,
&c.] Or "with" the children, as Kimchi; and Ben Melech observes, that (le) is put for (Me) , and so in the next clause: and the heart of the children to their fathers;
or "with" their fathers; that is, both fathers and children: the meaning is, that John the Baptist should be an instrument of converting many of the Jews, both fathers and children, and bringing them to the knowledge and faith of the true Messiah; and reconcile them together who were divided by the schools of Hillell and Shammai, and by the sects of the Sadducees and Pharisees, and bring them to be of one mind, judgment, and faith, and to have a hearty love to one another, and the Lord Christ; see ( Matthew 3:5 Matthew 3:6 ) (See Gill on Luke 1:17). The Talmudists F20 interpret this of composing differences, and making peace. Lest I come and smite the earth with a curse;
the land of Judea; which, because the greater part of the inhabitants of it were not converted to the Lord, did not believe in the Messiah, but rejected him, notwithstanding the preaching and testimony of John the Baptist, and the ministry and miracles of Christ, it was smitten with a curse, was made desolate, and destroyed by the Roman emperors, Vespasian and Adrian, as instruments doing what God here threatened he would do; for not the whole earth is intended, as the Targum and Abarbinel suggest; but only that land, and the people of it, are intended, to whom the law of Moses was given; and to whom Elias, or John the Baptist, was to be sent; and to whom he was sent, and did come; and by whom he was rejected, and also the Messiah he pointed at; for which that country was smitten with a curse, and remains under it to this day.


FOOTNOTES:

F20 Massachet Ediot, c. 8. sect. 7.

Malachi 4:6 In-Context

4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.
5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.
6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

Cross References 3

  • 1. Luke 1:17
  • 2. S Isaiah 11:4; Revelation 19:15
  • 3. S Deuteronomy 11:26; S Deuteronomy 13:15; S Joshua 6:17; S Joshua 23:15; S Zechariah 5:3
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.