Malachi-chapter-2

Malachi-2

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of Thy Law!

Tehillim - Psalm 119:18..

(JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have shamefully disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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“Malachi Chapter 2”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Foreword:

Here is Malachi Chapter 2, verses 1 through to 17, providing a ‘word by word’ section, with my commentary. It is without a doubt a powerful chapter!

Introduction:

In this chapter, the Prophet Malachi delivers a “Massa” a heavy burden or oracle. He speaks first to the Kohanim (the Priests), reminding them that their lips are meant to guard knowledge and keep the blessed Name of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim (which they did not!). He then turns to the people, rebuking those who have been unfaithful to their wives and to the Covenant of their fathers, reminding us all that we have one Father and one Creator אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim.

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Let us now read Malachi Chapter 2:1-17: (JPD-1917 version of the Tanakh:

1. And now, this commandment is for you, O ye priests.

2. If ye will not hearken, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto My Name, saith צְבָאוֹת-יְהוָה - the LORD of hosts, then will I send the curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; yea, I curse them, because ye do not lay it to heart.

3. Behold, I will rebuke the seed for your hurt, and will spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your sacrifices; and ye shall be taken away unto it.

4. Know then that I have sent this commandment unto you, that My covenant might be with Levi, saith צְבָאוֹת-יְהוָה - the LORD of hosts.

5. My covenant was with him of life and peace, and I gave them to him, and of fear, and he feared Me, and was afraid of My Name.

6. The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and did turn many away from iniquity.

7. For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of צְבָאוֹת-יְהוָה - the LORD of hosts.

8. But ye are turned aside out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble in the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith צְבָאוֹת-יְהוָה - the LORD of hosts.

9 Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept My ways, but have had respect of persons in the law.

10. Have we not all one father? Hath not one אֱלֹהִים - Elohim created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, profaning the covenant of our fathers?

11. Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of יְהוָה - the LORD which He loveth, and hath married the daughter of a strange deity.

12. May יְהוָה - the LORD cut off to the man that doeth this, him that calleth and him that answereth out of the tents of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto צְבָאוֹת-יְהוָה - the LORD of hosts.

13. And this further ye do: ye cover the altar of יְהוָה - the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with sighing, insomuch that He regardeth not the offering any more, neither receiveth it with good will at your hand.

14. Yet ye say: ‘Wherefore?’ Because יְהוָה - the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, though she is thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

15. And not one hath done so who had exuberance of spirit! For what seeketh the one? a seed given of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

16. For I hate putting away, saith יְהוָה - the LORD, the אֱלֹהִים of Israel, and him that covereth his garment with violence, saith צְבָאוֹת-יְהוָה - the LORD of hosts; therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

17. Ye have wearied יְהוָה - the LORD with your words. Yet ye say: ‘Wherein have we wearied Him?’ In that ye say: ‘Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of יְהוָה - the LORD, and He delighteth in them; or where is the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of justice?’

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Let us now view the ‘verse by verse’ with its commentary:

Verse 1: “And now, O priests, this commandment is for you”.

Explanation: Malachi begins by addressing the religious leaders directly. The “commandment” here is a warning: leadership carries the highest level of accountability before Heaven.

Verse 2: “If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honour to My Name, says the Lord of Hosts, I will send a curse upon you...”

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim seeks the heart, not just the ritual. If the Priests treat their holy work as a mere routine without sincerity, the very blessings they recite will not take root.

Verse 3: “Behold, I will rebuke your seed, and spread dung upon your faces...”

Explanation: This is strong language used to show that a leader who dishonors אֱלֹהִים - Elohim becomes dishonored in the eyes of the people as they have removed His blessed Name. Their influence will be diminished because they lost their spiritual integrity.

Verse 4: “And you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant might be with Levi...”

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים desires to maintain the “Covenant of Levi” the standard of the tribe that stood for truth when others fell away.

Verse 5: “My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared Me...”

Explanation: This defines the ideal state of a servant of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim a life of Shalom (Peace) built upon a foundation of Revere (Awe).

Verse 6: “The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips; he walked with Me in peace and equity...”

Explanation: This is the high calling of a Rabbi and Priest (but both sadly failed): to ensure that every word spoken is truthful and that their personal walk is a straight path.

Verse 7: “For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהִים - the LORD of Hosts”.

Explanation: The community looks to the scholar for clarity. The leader is a “Malach” (a messenger), a bridge between the Divine and the mundane.

Verse 8: “But you are departed out of the way; you have caused many to stumble at the law...”

Explanation: When a leader fails, it is not a private matter; it causes others to lose their faith. This is the “stumbling block”, which Malachi clearly warns against!

Verse 9: “Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people...”

Explanation: True respect cannot be demanded by title; it is granted by אֱלֹהִים based on the leader’s faithfulness to the Truth, yet they failed!

Verse 10: “Have we not all one Father? Has not one אֱלֹהִים - Elohim created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother?”

Explanation: Malachi pivots to the people. He reminds us of our common origin to show that mistreating another person is a sin against our Creator!

Verse 11: “Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem...”

Explanation: This refers to the people abandoning their spiritual heritage and their loyalties for the sake of foreign influences.

Verse 12: “יְהוָה - the LORD will cut off the man that does this...”

Explanation: There are spiritual consequences for those who knowingly lead others away from the Covenant.

Verse 13: “And this have you done again, covering the altar of יְהוָה - the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out...”

Explanation: The people wonder why their prayers aren’t answered. Malachi explains that religious rituals cannot mask the pain caused to others in private life.

Verse 14: “Yet you say, ‘Wherefore?’ Because יְהוָה - the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously..."

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים- Elohim acts as the witness to the marriage covenant. Faithfulness at home is a prerequisite for a relationship with the Divine.

Verse 15: “And did not He make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed”.

Explanation: This highlights the sanctity of the union. It is meant to create a home of “Ruach” (Spirit) where the next generation can grow in holiness.

Verse 16: “For יְהוָה - the LORD, the אֱלֹהִים- Elohim of Israel, says that He hates putting away (divorce)... therefore take heed to your spirit, that you deal not treacherously”.

Explanation: While divorce is permitted in Law, it is a source of grief in Heaven. The “spirit” must be guarded against coldness and betrayal.

Verse 17: “You have wearied יְהוָה - the LORD with your words. Yet you say, ‘Wherein have we wearied Him?’ When you say, 'Every one that does evil is good in the sight of יְהוָה - the LORD’...”

Explanation: The chapter ends by rebuking cynicism of the rabbis and priests. We weary the Divine when we claim that justice does not exist or that evil is rewarded.

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My Closing Message:

Malachi's message is one of “Integrity” and “Oneness”. He reminds us that because we have “One Father”, every act of kindness we perform and every word of truth we speak resonates in the Heavens! Even in those who are under a trial, their dedication to these 17 vital verses will shows wisdom and knowledge, just as the prophet Malachi commanded by אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה –Elohim!

Key Thematic Table: Malachi chapter 2, verses 10-16:

The Transgression	The Divine Response	The Spiritual Lesson
Brotherly Treachery (v. 10).	“Profaning the Covenant”.	We share “One Father”; ethics are communal.
Foreign Unions (v. 11).	It is an “Abomination”.	Spiritual intimacy requires shared values.
Marital Treachery (v. 14).	אֱלֹהִים is the “Witness”.	Marriage is a Divine Covenant, not a secular deal.
Violence/Divorce (v. 16).	“I hate putting away”.	The spirit must be guarded to prevent cruelty.

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Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down the page!

This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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