4:2a

But: This verse makes a contrast between the arrogant evil-doers who were mentioned in 4:1 and those who fear the LORD. In some languages it may be helpful to make that contrast explicit. For example:

But it will be different on that day for you who revere my name.

you who fear My name: See “fear” in the note on 1:6c–d.

My 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 “me” instead of My name.

4:2b

the sun of righteousness will rise: This is a metaphor. Although commentators and English versions differ about the interpretation here, it probably refers to the coming of the Messiah (see 3:1).

This metaphor of the sun rising indicates that, as the Messiah comes, he will bring light and will end darkness. In other words, he will bring goodness and justice and destroy evil.

righteousness: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as righteousness is the word ṣedaqah. It occurs frequently in the Old Testament. It is usually translated either righteousness or “justice.”

In this context it refers to the righteousness that the Messiah will bring when he comes. When he comes, he intends to cause his people to be righteous and to restore justice.

Most English versions translate ṣedaqah here as “righteousness.”

4:2c

with healing in its wings: Scholars do not agree about what this figure of speech means. The wings of the sun probably refer to the sun’s rays. This symbolizes power and protection.

So, in this context, Malachi used this figure of speech to refer to the LORD’s power to heal and protect his people from harm.

healing: The idea of healing here implies more than physical healing. It also implies spiritual healing that brings peace and well-being. In Jeremiah 33:6, the same word is used in a similar way.

In some languages a word like “healing” may refer only to physical healing. If that is true in your language, you may want to use an expression which could include spiritual healing, as well. For example:

restoration

well-being

General Comment on 4:2b–c

This passage uses the sun and its rays as figures of speech. Some ways to express the meaning are:

But for you who revere me, ⌊the one who brings⌋ righteousness will rise ⌊like⌋ the sun to deliver and restore you.
-or-
But for you who revere me, ⌊the one whom I send⌋ will rise to bring justice ⌊like⌋ the sun ⌊rises⌋ with healing in its rays.

4:2d

This verse part begins with the Hebrew conjunction w-. It introduces another event which will happen when 4:2b occurs. English versions translate it as “and” or omit it. Use a connection which is natural in your language.

you: That is, you who fear my name. See the note on 4:2a.

will go out and leap like calves from the stall: This compares the people to calves which jump playfully when their owners release them from confinement. The emphasis is on the people’s joy and freedom. It is not on the place they will leave or go to.

The LORD was implying that on the day when he comes to bring justice/righteousness, he will free his people from all that oppresses them. Some ways to translate this are:

And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and you will skip about like calves released from the stall. (NET Bible)

the stall: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as the stall literally means “tying place.” It refers to the place where calves were kept and fattened. This probably implies that the calves were well fed and healthy. For example:

You will jump around, like well-fed calves. (New Century Version)

However most English versions omit this implication. Instead they focus on the calves’ freedom from the stall or from the place where they have been tied. For example:

You will be as free and happy as calves let out of a stall. (Good News Translation)

Express this freedom in a natural way in your language.

© 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.
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