1:14a

But cursed is the deceiver: “Cursing” is the opposite of blessing. The LORD will not only refuse to bless a man who is cursed, but may also take away good things that are in that man’s life. Since the LORD spoke these words, this is a definite statement of what he will do (“I will curse…”), not just a wish.

1:14b

his flock: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as flock refers to the groups of sheep and goats.

1:14d

a defective animal: This refers to an animal which is blemished somehow. This includes animals that were blind, lame or sick. In fact, it includes all the types of defects that the author has mentioned.

the Lord: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord here is ʾadonay, not God’s personal name Yahweh. It means “master, lord.” See the first occurrence of this word in 1:12b.

General Comment on 1:14d

Again, the LORD spoke of himself as though he was talking about someone else. If that is confusing in your language, it may be necessary to indicate that the LORD referred to himself. For example:

by sacrificing a defective animal to me ! (New Jerusalem Bible)

1:14e

For: The Hebrew word ki which the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the reason that the LORD will not accept blemished animals as sacrifices. Most English versions translate it as “for” or “because.” Some versions omit it. Use what would be natural in your language in this context to state the LORD’s reason for cursing such a person.

1:14f

says the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 1:6e.

the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 1:4d and 1:6e. Translate this term in the same way here.

1:14g

My name: In the Hebrew Bible, the phrase “the LORD’s name” or My name refers to God himself or his authority. It was also used in this way in 1:6. See the note on 1:6f. Good News Translation prefers to use “me” instead of My name to make this clear.

feared: The Hebrew verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as feared can also be translated “respected, honored.”

the nations: The Hebrew word goyim which the Berean Standard Bible translates as nations was the word which the Jews used to refer to the Gentiles, the people of all the other nations. It was also used in this way in 1:11a.

General Comment on 1:14a–g

In some languages it may be helpful to re-order this verse. Good News Translation provides one model for this:

14a A curse on the cheater 14d who sacrifices a worthless animal to me, 14b when he has in his flock a good [male] animal 14c that he promised to give me! 14e For I am a great king, 14g and people of all nations fear me, 14f [says the Lord Almighty]. (Good News Translation)

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