Malachi 2:10-15

Breaking Covenant Through Divorce

10 Do we not all have one Father[a] ? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?
11 Judah has been unfaithful. A detestable thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the LORD loves by marrying women who worship a foreign god.
12 As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the LORD remove him from the tents of Jacob[b] —even though he brings an offering to the LORD Almighty.
13 Another thing you do: You flood the LORD’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands.
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.[c] So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.

Malachi 2:10-15 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 23

  • 1. S Exodus 4:22; Matthew 5:16; Matthew 6:4,18; Luke 11:2; 1 Corinthians 8:6
  • 2. S Job 4:17; Isaiah 43:1
  • 3. Exodus 19:5; S 2 Kings 17:15; Jeremiah 31:32
  • 4. S Zephaniah 3:3-4
  • 5. S Isaiah 1:13; S Isaiah 48:8
  • 6. S Deuteronomy 4:37
  • 7. S Nehemiah 13:23
  • 8. S Exodus 34:16; Ezra 9:1; Jeremiah 3:7-9
  • 9. S 1 Samuel 2:30-33; S Ezekiel 24:21
  • 10. S Numbers 24:5; 2 Samuel 20:1
  • 11. S Malachi 1:10
  • 12. S Jeremiah 11:11
  • 13. Psalms 39:12
  • 14. Psalms 66:18; Jeremiah 14:12
  • 15. Isaiah 58:2
  • 16. S Malachi 1:2
  • 17. S Genesis 21:30; S Joshua 24:22
  • 18. S Proverbs 5:18
  • 19. S Ezekiel 16:8; Hebrews 13:4
  • 20. S Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6
  • 21. S Deuteronomy 14:2; 1 Corinthians 7:14
  • 22. S Deuteronomy 4:15
  • 23. S Isaiah 54:6; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Hebrews 13:4

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Or "father"
  • [b]. Or 12"May the " Lord"remove from the tents of Jacob anyone who gives testimony in behalf of the man who does this"
  • [c]. The meaning of the Hebrew for the first part of this verse is uncertain.
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