2 The Degeneracy of the Priesthood 1. A reminder to the priests that they are to blame for the laxity denounced in Malachi 1:13; Malachi 1:14. They are responsible for the offering of fit victims, which in some cases it was their duty to provide.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL CORRUPT YOUR SEED] RV 'I will rebuke the seed for your sake'; but the threat of a curse on the _crops_ does not appear to be specially applicable to the _priests_. A very slight change in the Heb. which has been suggested, gives the admirable sense, 'I will cut off your arm' (cp. 1 Samuel 2:3... [ Continue Reading ]
YE HAVE CAUSED MANY TO STUMBLE] i.e. by giving unjust decisions the priests have brought many to ruin. With the charge of partiality in Malachi 2:9 contrast the ideal of Deuteronomy 33:9, where it is represented as a priest's duty to give his decisions without regard to his nearest relatives: cp. Ma... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MASTER AND THE SCHOLAR] RV 'him that waketh and him that answereth.' A very slight change in the Hebrew gives the better antithesis, 'plaintiff and defendant;' two opposites being frequently used in Hebrew to denote all. Cp. 'going out and coming in,' etc. TABERNACLES] better, 'homes.'... [ Continue Reading ]
INSOMUCH THAT HE REGARDETH] better, 'because he regardeth.' The people are regarded as covering the altar with their tears in the intensity of their desire for the favours He is withholding.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WIFE OF THY YOUTH] i.e. the wife married in youth. The evil here denounced is the divorce of an old wife in favour of a younger woman. THE WIFE OF THY COVENANT] The thought that there is a solemn compact between husband and wife is stated definitely here only in the OT; but it is the natural inf... [ Continue Reading ]
PUTTING AWAY] i.e. divorce. COVERETH VIOLENCE WITH HIS GARMENT] The reference is probably to the illtreatment of the wife; but the Hebrew is obscure. 17. An address to those who are losing faith, through their inability to solve the riddle of the prosperity of the ungodly: cp. Psalms 37, 73.... [ Continue Reading ]