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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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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