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Malachi


Mal´uh-ki

The book of, the last book of the OT and one of the twelve Minor Prophets. Malachi delivers a harsh critique of the behaviors and attitudes of the priests and the people. The exact context for this oracle cannot be determined with certainty, but it seems to be related to the postexilic oracles that come at the end of the book of Zechariah (Zech 9-14).

Outline of Contents

Malachi

I. Superscription, identifying the work as an “oracle” and the origin of the message as “my messenger” (Mal 1:1)

II. Introductory oracle, contrasting the fortunes of Jacob-Israel with those of Edom-Esau (Mal 1:2-5)

III. Condemnation of the priests for corrupting worship and not properly teaching the Torah and covenant prescriptions to the people (Mal 1:6-2:9)

IV. Critique of the covenant faithlessness of Judah, who “married the daughter of a foreign god.” The prophet exhorts the people to remain faithful to one another; if they do so, they will bear godly offspring (Mal 2:10-16)

V. Complaint that Israel has wearied God, and an announcement that God will soon come in judgment (Mal 2:17-3:5)

VI. Prophetic appeal for repentance, and an argument against the people’s false testing of God by withholding tithes (Mal 3:6-12)

VII. Rebuke directed at those who spoke against God and God’s faithlessness, and a promise that the God-fearers shall be remembered for righteousness, while the evildoers shall be destroyed (Mal 3:13-4:3)

VIII. Appeal to remember the Torah of Moses before the day of judgment, a day to be preceded by the advent of Elijah and his acts of restoration (Mal 4:4-6)

  • Powell, Mark Allan, ed. HarperCollins Bible Dictionary. Abridged Edition. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2009.