1:12a

But you: The pronoun you is emphatic here and refers to the priests. The disrespectful actions of the priests are contrasted with the respect that other nations gave to the LORD (1:11).

profane: The verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as profane means “profane, dishonor, treat as unholy/common.” The same verb is used in 2:10d and 2:11c.

it: There is a textual issue in this verse. Scholars do not agree about whether the object of “profane” should be “it” or “me.” So there are two options:

(1) The object should be “it.” The pronoun “it” refers to the LORD’s name. For example:

But you are profaning it. (NET Bible)

(2) The object should be “me,” that is, the LORD. For example:

But you don’t honor me. (New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), as it seems to be the more likely solution to the textual issue.

However there is very little difference in meaning between the two options. The pronoun it here refers to the LORD’s name, and the LORD’s name is a way to refer to the LORD himself. Therefore, it is acceptable to follow option (2) if it would be more natural and clearer in your language.

1:12b

The table of the Lord: This is the altar on which sacrifices were offered to God in the temple. This is a figure of speech for the whole act of offering sacrifices to God. See the note on 1:7c.

Lord: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord here is ʾadonay. This title refers to God as “lord/master.” It is different from his personal name Yahweh. Both terms refer to God.

Notice that in 1:7c, the Hebrew expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as “table of the LORD” does indeed use Yahweh. So 1:7c and 1:12b differ in the Hebrew text. Try to preserve this distinction in your translation. See the discussion of these terms in the Key biblical terms in the book of Malachi section in the Introduction.

defiled: This is the same verb as in 1:7a and 1:7b.

General Comment on 1:12b

Notice that the LORD continued to refer to himself as though he were talking about someone else. If that is confusing in your language, it may be necessary to indicate that he was talking about himself. For example:

But you dishonor me when you say that my altar is worthless and when you offer on it food that you despise. (Good News Translation)
-or-
But you insult me when you say that it does not matter what kind of sacrifices you offer to me, the Lord.

1:12c

and as for its fruit, its food is contemptible: That is, it does not matter what kind of worthless food/offering you bring to give to God. The food spoken of here is the meat (animal) and cereal offerings which the priests placed upon the altar.

contemptible: This is the same Hebrew verb as in 1:6f, 1:7c, also 2:9a.

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