Malachi 2:14-16

14 You ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.
15 Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring.[a] So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.
16 “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,”[b] says the LORD Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.

Malachi 2:14-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO MALACHI 2

This chapter contains a reproof both of priests and people for their sins. It begins with the priests, Mal 2:1 and threatens, in case they attend not to glorify the name of the Lord, they and their blessings should be cursed, their seed corrupted, dung spread upon them, and they took away with it, Mal 2:2,3 and the end of this commandment being sent them, of giving glory to the name of God, was that the covenant might appear to be with Levi, or him that was typified by him, Mal 2:4 of which covenant some account is given, with the reason why the blessings of it were given to him, with whom it was, Mal 2:5 who is described by the true doctrine he preached; by the purity of his lips; by the peaceableness and righteousness of his walk and conversation; and by his usefulness and success in turning many from sin, Mal 2:6 and it being part of the priest's office to preserve true knowledge, and communicate it, it is the duty of the people to seek to him for it; since he is the messenger of the Lord, Mal 2:7 but as for the priests of those times the prophet respects, they were apostates from the way of the Lord; made others to stumble at the law, and corrupted the covenant; and therefore became contemptible, base, and mean, in the sight of the people, Mal 2:8,9 who are next reproved for their marrying with those of other nations, idolatrous persons; and using polygamy and divorces, which were a profanation of the covenant of their fathers; a piece of perfidy and treachery among themselves; an abomination to the Lord; a profanation of his holiness; and led to idolatry, Mal 2:10,11 wherefore they are threatened to be cut off from the tabernacles of Jacob, and their sacrifices to be rejected; insomuch that the altar is represented as covered with weeping and tears, because disregarded, Mal 2:12,13. The reason of which was, because marrying more wives than one, and these strange women, was dealing treacherously with their lawful wives; was contrary to the first creation of man, and the end of it; and therefore such practices ought to be avoided; and the rather, since putting away was hateful to the Lord, Mal 2:14-16 and the chapter is concluded with a charge against them, that they wearied the Lord with their wicked words; affirming that the Lord took delight in the men that did evil; and that there were no judgment, truth, nor righteousness, in him, Mal 2:17.

Cross References 11

  • 1. S Malachi 1:2
  • 2. S Genesis 21:30; S Joshua 24:22
  • 3. S Proverbs 5:18
  • 4. S Ezekiel 16:8; Hebrews 13:4
  • 5. S Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6
  • 6. S Deuteronomy 14:2; 1 Corinthians 7:14
  • 7. S Deuteronomy 4:15
  • 8. S Isaiah 54:6; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Hebrews 13:4
  • 9. S Deuteronomy 24:1; Matthew 5:31-32; Matthew 19:4-9; Mark 10:4-5
  • 10. S Genesis 6:11; Genesis 34:25; S Proverbs 4:17; S Isaiah 58:4
  • 11. Psalms 51:10

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. The meaning of the Hebrew for the first part of this verse is uncertain.
  • [b]. Or "“I hate divorce,” says the " Lord", the God of Israel, “because the man who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,”"
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