SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2007 – Page 5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 3:5

3:5

Notice that Good News Translation begins this verse with the phrase:

The Lord Almighty says. (Good News Translation)

In the Hebrew text, these words are at the end of 3:5 (as in the Berean Standard Bible). Good News Translation moved these words to the beginning of 3:5 to make it clear that it was the LORD who was speaking here, not Malachi. Consider whether it may be necessary to do the same in your language.

3:5a

Then: The Hebrew conjunction w- is translated by the Berean Standard Bible as Then. Here it introduces a new paragraph. The events which the LORD described in this paragraph would happen before the events of the preceding paragraph or at the same time. You will need to translate the connection in an appropriate way to avoid confusion in your language. English versions translate it with expressions like “then,” “at that time” or “so.” Some versions omit it. Use what would be natural in your language in this context.

I will draw near to you for judgment: That is, I will come to you, in order to judge you. This judgment would be an answer to the accusation of the people in 2:17, “Where is the God of justice?”

3:5b

And I will be a swift witness: Other ways to express this are:

I will quickly condemn. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I will act as a relentless accuser. (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

Do not use a term which would imply that the LORD was simply a witness, whose testimony would be compared with that of others.

3:5e

perjurers: The Hebrew expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as perjurers means to swear that a false statement is really true.

3:5f–g

defraud: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as defraud in 3:5g applies to the widow and orphan in 3:5f also. The word means “to wrong, cheat, oppress.”

3:5i

In 3:5c–h the LORD gave a list of the categories of people whom he will judge. 3:5i is not simply a continuation of this list; it applies to each of the groups of people listed in 3:5c–h.

do not fear Me: The Hebrew word moraʾ which the Berean Standard Bible translates as fear can also mean “reverence” or “awe.” It is translated in many English versions as “respect.”

3:5j

says the LORD of Hosts: This speech clause occurs many times throughout the text. The repetition emphasizes the fact that this is a direct message from the LORD. See the note on 3:1f. See also note 1 in “Literary structure and recurring features in Malachi” in the Introduction.

Notice that in the Berean Standard Bible this clause occurs after the speech. This is good English style. You should place it wherever is natural in your language.

the LORD of Hosts: This special title for the LORD occurs twenty-four times in Malachi. See the note on 3:1f. See also the discussion of this term in the Key biblical terms in the book of Malachi section of the Introduction.

General Comment on 3:5b–j

As stated above, 3:5i applies to each of the groups of people listed in 3:5c–h. It is not simply another category of people whom the LORD will judge. In some languages it will be clearer if the verse is re-ordered. The Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures re-orders this verse to show this clearly:

5b and I will act as a relentless accuser 5i against those who have no fear of Me: 5c Who practice sorcery, 5d who commit adultery, 5e who swear falsely, 5g who cheat laborers of their hire, 5f and who subvert [the cause of] the widow, orphan, 5h and stranger, 5j said the Lord of Hosts. (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

© 2007 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:1

Paragraph 2:1–4

The LORD continued to rebuke the priests in this paragraph. He warned them that they would be punished if they did not repent.

Some English versions have a section heading at this point. However the main theme is the same as in the previous chapter. It is recommended that you not create a heading here. However, if a Bible in another language that churches use widely in your area has a heading here, you may need to follow that same format.

2:1

In the Hebrew text, the speaker, “the LORD of hosts,” is not identified until 2:2d. If this would cause difficulty in your translation, you can move the speech clause forward from 2:2d to the beginning of the chapter. Good News Translation does this:

The Lord Almighty says to the priests… (Good News Translation)

And now: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as now is a time word. It is preceded by the conjunction w-, usually translated as “and.” The LORD used this expression to introduce the next things he would say. It emphasizes that these things were important. In some languages, it may not be natural to use a time word to express this meaning. Some other ways to say this are:

Listen, you priests; this command is for you! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I, the Lord All-Powerful, have something else to say to you priests. (Contemporary English Version)

Some English versions omit this phrase. Use what would be natural in your language to present another important topic as part of the same discourse.

decree: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as decree can also be translated “warning” (God’s Word). That is, it refers to a solemn, unchangeable decree/pronouncement. In this context it refers to the warnings which follow in 2:2–9. The same Hebrew word is translated as “commandment” in 2:4a.

O priests: The LORD was still speaking to the priests. In some languages it may be necessary to put this expression at the start of the speech. For example:

Priests, this command is for you. (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 3:16

3:16a

At that time: In this context, the Hebrew word ʾaz which the Berean Standard Bible translates as At that time most probably indicates that this verse contrasts with the previous paragraph. In contrast to the people referred to in 3:14–15, this verse refers to people who feared the LORD.

those who feared the LORD: This refers to the people who were faithful to the LORD and respected him. See the note on 1:6c–d.

Scholars differ about exactly who these people were:

(1) They were people who accepted Malachi’s warnings and then spoke respectfully about the LORD.

(2) They were people who already respected the LORD before Malachi’s warning. The verse refers to their reaction when other people accused the LORD.

The Hebrew text allow either interpretation, and English versions are also ambiguous. If possible, you should try to translate so that either view could be understood. If that is not possible in your language, it is recommended that you follow option (1).

spoke with one another: We do not know what these people said to each other. It must have been something which pleased the LORD because he responded favorably to their words (3:16b).

3:16b

This verse part begins with the Hebrew conjunction w-. It introduces the LORD’s response to those who feared him. Most English versions translate it as “and.” Use what is natural in your language in this context to introduce the LORD’s response.

listened and heard them: The Hebrew words which the Berean Standard Bible translates as listened and heard mean almost the same thing in this context. The author used both verbs here to emphasize the action, that is, to mean something like “listened very carefully.” There are at least two possibilities for translation:

• Use two similar verbs. For example:

the Lord paid attention and listened. (God’s Word)

• Use one verb, and emphasize it in some way.

the LORD listened very carefully.

Use an option which will be natural in your language for this context.

3:16c

a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD: This indicates that a record was written in a book about the people who feared the LORD. The record probably mentioned their names and also may have included their words and deeds which showed their faithfulness to him. Someone wrote this record in the LORD’s presence. Malachi does not tell us who this person was. For example:

In his presence, there was written down in a book a record of those who feared the Lord and respected him. (Good News Translation)

scroll: At the time when Malachi prophesied, books as we know them today did not exist. People wrote on stone tablets, scrolls of leather or other materials. You should choose a general term here which represents a well known substance on which people would keep written records.

regarding those who feared the LORD: The Hebrew word l- which the Berean Standard Bible translates as regarding at this point in the verse can have many meanings. Here the context indicates that the book was written “for the benefit of” those who feared the LORD. The LORD would remember them (and what they had said or done).

those who feared the LORD: See the note on 3:16a.

3:16d

and honored His name: That is, they honored his name, they thought about him with reverence. For example:

those who feared the Lord and respected him. (Good News Translation)

His name: In the Hebrew Bible, the phrase “the LORD’s name” or His 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 simply uses “him” instead of His name.

General Comment on 3:16c–d

The Hebrew expressions which the Berean Standard Bible translates as “feared the LORD” in 3:16c and “honored His name” in 3:16d mean almost the same thing. In some languages it may be more natural to express this idea in another way. Some possibilities are:

• Express the idea only once. For example:

those who reverenced the LORD.
-or-
those who esteemed the LORD in their thoughts.

• Change the order of the expressions. For example:

those who meditated about the LORD and revered him.

• Use a compound verb, adverb or other element. For example:

those who honored the LORD with reverence and esteem.

Use an option which is natural in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:12

2:12a

In this verse Malachi expressed a strong desire or prayer. He wanted the LORD to punish all Israelite men who married women who worshipped other gods.

As for the man who does this, may the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who is awake and aware: Scholars disagree about the type of punishment that Malachi meant here. The Hebrew text of this verse is hard to understand. There are two main interpretations:

(1) Malachi meant that the LORD should remove all such men from the community of Israel. For example:

As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the Lord cut him off from the tents of Jacob… (New International Version)

(2) Malachi meant that the LORD should not allow such men to have anyone to defend or support them. For example:

May Yahweh deprive such an offender of witness and advocate… (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

the man who does this: This refers to any Israelite man who married a woman who worshipped idols. It includes those who had already done it and those who would do it in the future.

cut off: The expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as cut off is an idiom in Hebrew. Here it means “remove,” that is, the LORD should remove them from the Israelite community. The Hebrew text does not state how he would remove them: whether he would banish them or kill them. You should also leave this ambiguous. Some ways to say this are:

May the Lord remove from the community of Israel those who did this. (Good News Translation)
-or-
May the Lord banish from the dwellings of Jacob any who do this. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
I pray that the Lord will no longer let those who are guilty belong to his people. (Contemporary English Version)

from the tents of Jacob: This is an idiom which refers to all the people of Israel. They were the people who had a covenant relationship with the LORD and who worshipped him. The reference to tents came from the time when the descendants of Jacob/Israel, the people of Israel, lived in tents and wandered in the desert.

everyone who is awake and aware: The Hebrew phrase which the Berean Standard Bible translates as everyone who is awake and aware is difficult to understand. Scholars make two main suggestions about its meaning in this verse:

(1) The two Hebrew words which the Berean Standard Bible translates as awake and aware function together as a Hebrew idiom, which, means “everyone.” From this interpretation comes “whoever they may be.” So the meaning of 2:12a is:

May the LORD drive away those who ⌊marry foreign wives⌋, whoever they may be, so that they may never again be part of Israel.

(2) The two words have separate meanings and represent two groups of people or two different actions. The English versions that follow this view interpret the individual words differently. For example:

…witness and advocate. (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

2:12b

even if he brings an offering to the LORD of Hosts: Scholars differ about how this phrase relates to the previous one. There are at least three views:

(1) This phrase makes it clear that there is no exception to the punishment in 2:12a. Even offering a sacrifice to the LORD would not enable them to escape this punishment. For example:

[May the LORD banish from the dwellings of Jacob any who do this…] even though they bring offerings to the Lord of Hosts. (Revised English Bible)

(2) This phrase expresses part of the punishment that Malachi spoke about in 2:12a. For example:

and never again let them participate in the offerings our nation brings to the Lord Almighty. (Good News Translation)

(3) This phrase goes with the preceding phrase “any to witness or answer.” It lists another group of people or another action. For example:

[any to witness or answer,] or to bring an offering to the Lord of hosts! (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

In English this idea is often expressed by using connectors like “even though” or “and yet.” Express it in a natural way in your language.

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

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 1:5

1:5

English versions differ about whether this verse represents Malachi’s words or the words of the LORD himself. They indicate this by placing their quotation marks in different places:

(1) They are the LORD’s words, continuing from 1:4. For example:

“…you will say, ‘Truly, the Lord ’s great power reaches far beyond our borders!’” (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) They are Malachi’s words. The LORD’s words end in 1:4. For example:

“4h…the people with whom the Lord is angry for ever.” 5a Your own eyes shall see this… (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). It is likely that this verse is a continuation of what the LORD was saying to the people of Israel. This fits with the rest of the chapter, which is a conversation between the LORD and various groups of people. Therefore include these words in the quotation that you started in 1:4, so that you make it clear that the LORD was still speaking.

1:5a

You will see this with your own eyes: This clause emphasizes that the people of Israel would actually see these things happen to the Edomites. Another way to express this emphasis in English is:

You yourselves will see this.

1:5b

The LORD is great—even beyond the borders of Israel: This means that the greatness of the LORD extends beyond the land of Israel. He is powerful over many nations. The verb or adjective form of the Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as great is also used in 1:11 (twice) and 1:14. All these verses refer to the fact that the power of the LORD is not limited to the people of Israel. His power extends to other nations as well. See also the note on 1:11.

General Comment on 1:5b

In 1:5b, the LORD was quoting what the people themselves would say. In some languages it may not be possible to use direct speech here. One way to use indirect speech instead is:

and you(plur) shall say ⌊that⌋ the LORD is great ⌊even⌋ beyond the border of Israel!

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 3:6

Section 3:6–18

If the people again start to give the LORD what they owe him, he will again bless them

Notice that this section also starts with the “Statement, Question, Response” pattern. However this time the sequence is expanded. The “Statement-Question” part occurs twice before a longer “Response” is given. (Another difference is that the second statement begins with a short question.) The “Statement-Question-Response” pattern marks the beginning of a new section.

3:6 is a transitional verse, as 2:17 was. Again, it is recommended that you take it as the first verse of this new section.

Paragraph 3:6–12

3:6

As this is a new section, it may be helpful in some languages to begin this verse with a speech clause like, “The LORD says.” This will make it clear that the LORD was still speaking, the same as he was doing at the end of the previous section.

3:6a

Because: The Hebrew word ki which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Because introduces the reason for the following statement in 3:6b. Some ways to express the connection in English are:

Since, I, the Lord, do not go back on my promises, you, sons of Jacob, have not perished. (NET Bible)
-or-
I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already completely destroyed. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I am the Lord, and I do not change. And so you, the descendants of Jacob, are not yet completely lost. (Good News Translation)

I, the LORD, do not change: The people of Israel had not kept the LORD’s covenant. And in 2:17–3:5, the LORD warned them that he would judge them. So a reader might expect that the LORD would abandon the people of Israel and destroy them completely. But what the LORD said here was contrary to that expectation. He was reminding the people that he never changes, and therefore, in spite of all their unfaithfulness, he would still keep his covenant with them. So this section, 3:6–18, called the people of Israel to repent and begin to follow him again.

3:6b

you descendants of Jacob: This refers to the people of Israel. It may be helpful to your readers to use a footnote to explain that the expression descendants of Jacob here refers to the people of Israel.

Jacob: The name Jacob, rather than “Israel,” is often used in passages which focus on the weakness of the people of Israel. The name Jacob reminds people of a human being with weaknesses and frailty. “Israel” was the name God gave Jacob when he gave him a special position as the ancestor of the people of Israel.

have not been destroyed: The Hebrew verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as have not been destroyed has the basic meaning of “bring to an end.” Scholars understand it in different ways in this verse:

(1) It means “have not been destroyed” or “have not ceased to exist.” In this context it implies that God had not destroyed the people of Israel because he never changes. This implies that he will remain faithful to the covenant he made with them. For example:

So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. (New International Version)

(2) It means “have not ceased to be sons (descendants) of Jacob.” This interpretation follows the LXX. It probably involves an implied reference to the meaning of the name “Jacob,” that is, “deceiver.” In this context it implies that they have not ceased to be deceivers like their ancestor Jacob. This meaning relates closely to the idea of the following verse. For example:

and you have not ceased to be children of Jacob. (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1).

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:2

2:2b

take it to heart: The Hebrew expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as take it to heart is a figure of speech. In this context it means to understand that the command is an important matter and to sincerely resolve to obey it.

2:2c

honor: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as honor is kabod. A form of this word was used in 1:6c, in the rhetorical question, “where is My honor ?” In some languages it may be possible to use a similar expression to translate this idea in both verses.

My name: Here the phrase My name means the same thing as “me.” See the notes on 1:6f and 1:14g.

2:2d

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

Notice that Good News Translation placed this phrase at the beginning of the paragraph to make it clear who was speaking and to whom:

The Lord Almighty says to the priests… (Good News Translation)

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

2:2e

I will send a curse among you: Although the Hebrew uses the article “the” here, it does not imply that there has been a particular previously mentioned curse. Instead, the definite article implies “a very great curse.”

In Hebrew culture, once a curse was spoken, it was certain to take place. See also the discussion of curse in 1:14a.

send: In some languages it may not be natural to say, “I will send a curse.” Other ways to express this are, “I will speak a curse” or “I will cause a curse to be ⌊on you⌋.”

2:2f

your blessings: Scholars differ about what the phrase your blessings refers to in this verse. There are at least two main views:

(1) It refers to the special privileges which the priests had. They served the LORD in the temple. Because of the work that they did there, they received the gifts which the other tribes of Israel gave to the LORD. The LORD was warning the priests that he would take away their privileges. For example:

I will put a curse on the things you receive for your support. (Good News Translation)

(2) It refers to the blessings that the priests pronounced for the people to ask the LORD to favor them. The LORD was warning the priests that he would no longer use their words to bless the people. Instead, he would use the words of the blessings to harm the people. For example:

Otherwise, when you give a blessing, I will turn it into a curse. (Contemporary English Version)

Most English versions are ambiguous, and both interpretations are possible. If you must choose between them in your translation, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

2:2h

because: The Hebrew word ki which the Berean Standard Bible translates as because introduces the reason that the LORD had already cursed the priests’ blessings. Most English versions have because here. See the notes on 1:11a and 1:14e, where this same Hebrew word was used. Use what would be natural in your language for this context.

you are not taking it to heart: See the note on 2:2b.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 3:17

3:17a

They will be Mine: This indicates that the people who feared the LORD would belong to him in a special sense as his people. This may be difficult to express in some languages. It may seem obvious that everyone and everything already belongs to the LORD. This is true in the sense that he has control over them. However the meaning in this verse is that the LORD will give these people a special relationship with himself.

They: This refers to the people who feared the LORD and who have just been mentioned in 3:16.

3:17b

says the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 3:1f.

the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 3:1f.

3:17c

on the day when I prepare My treasured possession: There are different interpretations of this verse part. The two major views are:

(1) The Hebrew verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as prepare has a general meaning. What the LORD will do on the day is not mentioned specifically here. For example:

On the day when I act, they will be my own special treasure. (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) The Hebrew verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as prepare relates specifically to the expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as My treasured possession. For example:

in the day when I make up my treasured possession. (New International Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The Hebrew word translated prepare is a general word. However, in this context it refers to the day when the LORD will act as judge to punish or reward people.

My treasured possession: This expression reflects the words of the covenant which the LORD made with the people of Israel at Sinai. In that covenant he chose them to be his own people, to belong to him (Exodus 19:5). The expression used here (My treasured possession) implies that they were special to him and that he would especially value them.

In some languages, it may not be natural to speak of people as a possession in this way. Some other possibilities for translation are:

• Use a simile. For example:

They will be like a treasure to me.
-or-
They will be as precious to me as a king’s most treasured possession.

• Omit the reference to a possession.

they will be my very own. (Good News Translation)
-or-
they will be my own special treasure. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
You people are precious to me. (Contemporary English Version)

Use an option which will be natural in your language.

General Comment on 3:17a–c

In some languages it may be more natural to re-order some of the information in 3:17a–c. For example:

17b Yahweh Sabaot says, 17c “On that day when I will come and judge people, I will take these people ⌊who respected me⌋ to belong to me in a special way 17a and they will be my very own.”
-or-

17b The Lord All-Powerful says, 17a “They belong to me; 17c on that day they will be my very own.” (New Century Version)

3:17d

I will spare them: The Hebrew verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as spare indicates that the LORD would have mercy on these people and spare them from judgement. That is, he would not punish them. Most English versions use the word spare, but some versions use the idea of “mercy,” “compassion,” or “protection.” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures) Here are examples of translation possibilities:

I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. (New International Version)
-or-
As a parent shows mercy to his child who serves him, I will show mercy to my people. (New Century Version)

who serves him: This refers to a person who loyally obeys the LORD and submits to his will. Use a natural expression in your language for obeying or submitting to someone in authority. This same expression is also used in 3:18b.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2007

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 3:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 3:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 1:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 3:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 3:17

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