SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2007 – Page 3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 3:13

3:13a

Your words against Me have been harsh: The Hebrew expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as have been harsh has the basic meaning of “to be strong.” In this verse it applies to Your words, and refers to words that are “terrible/severe.” English versions express this idea in different ways. For example:

You have said harsh things against me. (New International Version)
-or-
You have said terrible things about me. (Good News Translation)
-or-
You have criticised me sharply. (NET Bible)

Express this meaning in a natural way in your language.

3:13b

says the LORD: See the note on 1:2b.

© 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.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 3:14

3:14b

It is futile to serve God: That is, it is pointless/useless to serve God. This is a return to the topic which had caused God to be upset with the people (see 2:17).

to serve God: Here to serve means “to worship, to behave in a proper way towards God.”

3:14c

keeping His requirements: That is, obeying his commandments.

3:14d

walking mournfully: That is, the people were “behaving as those who are truly sorry for the sins they have committed.” This implied that they had truly repented and were obeying the LORD once more. It contrasts with 3:15a, which mentions “the arrogant” people.

General Comment on 3:14c–d

In 3:14c–d the people asked a rhetorical question. The question emphasizes the idea in 3:14b and adds further details. If you would not use a question in that way in your language, it may be better to use a statement. For example:

14a You have said, 14b “It is useless to serve God. 14c It did no good to obey his laws 14d and to show the Lord All-Powerful that we were sorry for what we did.” (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 3:15

3:15a

So now: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as So now introduces a conclusion. One way to make this connection clearer would be to translate something like this: “Therefore we have concluded that…”

we call the arrogant blessed: The Hebrew verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as call…blessed is the same one used in 3:12a. See the note on 3:12a. You may be able to translate it here also in a similar way. For example:

As we see it, proud people are the ones who are happy. (Good News Translation)

This statement implied that God was acting unfairly. In the people’s opinion, he was actually blessing arrogant people even more than he blessed the people who were humbly repentant (3:14).

we call: That is, we think/count/consider.

3:15b–c

Not only…even: The Hebrew expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Not only…even is gam…gam in Hebrew. The first gam makes the first statement emphatic. The second gam makes the following statement even more emphatic than the first one. Some English versions simply join the two statements with “and” or with a combination like “not only…but” (Revised Standard Version). Others use emphatic words like “indeed,” “even,” or “in fact.” For example:

Not only are evildoers encouraged, they even test God and get away with it. (God’s Word)
-or-

Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape. (New International Version)

Use an option which is natural in your language.

3:15c

they even test God: That means that these people acted wickedly to test God. The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as test is the same word that was translated “test” in 3:10c. There God asked them to test whether he would bless them or not. Here they tested God’s patience, to see if he would punish them or not.

escape: That is, escape punishment. No matter how badly they behaved, God did not seem to punish them as they deserved.

Paragraph 3:16–18

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 3:16

3:16a

At that time: In this context, the Hebrew word ʾaz which the Berean Standard Bible translates as At that time most probably indicates that this verse contrasts with the previous paragraph. In contrast to the people referred to in 3:14–15, this verse refers to people who feared the LORD.

those who feared the LORD: This refers to the people who were faithful to the LORD and respected him. See the note on 1:6c–d.

Scholars differ about exactly who these people were:

(1) They were people who accepted Malachi’s warnings and then spoke respectfully about the LORD.

(2) They were people who already respected the LORD before Malachi’s warning. The verse refers to their reaction when other people accused the LORD.

The Hebrew text allow either interpretation, and English versions are also ambiguous. If possible, you should try to translate so that either view could be understood. If that is not possible in your language, it is recommended that you follow option (1).

spoke with one another: We do not know what these people said to each other. It must have been something which pleased the LORD because he responded favorably to their words (3:16b).

3:16b

This verse part begins with the Hebrew conjunction w-. It introduces the LORD’s response to those who feared him. Most English versions translate it as “and.” Use what is natural in your language in this context to introduce the LORD’s response.

listened and heard them: The Hebrew words which the Berean Standard Bible translates as listened and heard mean almost the same thing in this context. The author used both verbs here to emphasize the action, that is, to mean something like “listened very carefully.” There are at least two possibilities for translation:

• Use two similar verbs. For example:

the Lord paid attention and listened. (God’s Word)

• Use one verb, and emphasize it in some way.

the LORD listened very carefully.

Use an option which will be natural in your language for this context.

3:16c

a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD: This indicates that a record was written in a book about the people who feared the LORD. The record probably mentioned their names and also may have included their words and deeds which showed their faithfulness to him. Someone wrote this record in the LORD’s presence. Malachi does not tell us who this person was. For example:

In his presence, there was written down in a book a record of those who feared the Lord and respected him. (Good News Translation)

scroll: At the time when Malachi prophesied, books as we know them today did not exist. People wrote on stone tablets, scrolls of leather or other materials. You should choose a general term here which represents a well known substance on which people would keep written records.

regarding those who feared the LORD: The Hebrew word l- which the Berean Standard Bible translates as regarding at this point in the verse can have many meanings. Here the context indicates that the book was written “for the benefit of” those who feared the LORD. The LORD would remember them (and what they had said or done).

those who feared the LORD: See the note on 3:16a.

3:16d

and honored His name: That is, they honored his name, they thought about him with reverence. For example:

those who feared the Lord and respected him. (Good News Translation)

His 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 “him” instead of His name.

General Comment on 3:16c–d

The Hebrew expressions which the Berean Standard Bible translates as “feared the LORD” in 3:16c and “honored His name” in 3:16d mean almost the same thing. In some languages it may be more natural to express this idea in another way. Some possibilities are:

• Express the idea only once. For example:

those who reverenced the LORD.
-or-
those who esteemed the LORD in their thoughts.

• Change the order of the expressions. For example:

those who meditated about the LORD and revered him.

• Use a compound verb, adverb or other element. For example:

those who honored the LORD with reverence and esteem.

Use an option which is natural in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 3:17

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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 3:18

3:18a

So: The word So in the Berean Standard Bible translates the Hebrew conjunction w-. In this context the text probably implies that 3:18 is the result of God’s actions in 3:17. When the LORD spares the people who serve him, people will again understand that there is a difference in the way he treats righteous people and wicked people. This will be an answer to their accusations in 3:14–15.

In some languages it may be helpful to use a time phrase like “When that happens.” Use what is natural in your language for this context.

you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked: That is, you will be able to understand the difference between righteous people and wicked people ⌊in the way I treat them⌋. Good News Translation makes this explicit:

my people will see the difference between what happens to the righteous and to the wicked. (Good News Translation)

again: The Hebrew expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as again used in this context implies that in the past they had realized the difference between the way the LORD treated righteous people and the way he treated wicked people. Now they would understand that difference again.

the righteous: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as the righteous means “(those who) conform to a standard.” In this context, it refers to people who behave according to the LORD’s standards and do what he considers to be right.

the wicked: This refers to people who do evil. It is the opposite of “the righteous.”

3:18b

those who serve God: This verb also occurred in 3:17. Try to translate it in the same way here. See the note on 3:17d.

God: In this verse God is still speaking. However he uses his title to speak about himself. In some languages it may be necessary to add a pronoun like “me” here to make this explicit. For example:

…one who serves me, God.

General Comment on 3:18a–b

The two parts of this verse (3:18a and 3:18b) mean almost the same thing. “those who serve God” (3:18b) is another way to refer to “the righteous” person (3:18a). “those who do not” serve God is another way to refer to “the wicked” person.

In some languages it may be helpful to combine these expressions. For example:

…between those who obey me by doing right and those who reject me by doing wrong. (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 4:1

Section 4:1–6

One day the LORD will come and judge all people

In the Hebrew text these verses are still part of chapter 3 and are numbered 3:19–24. Some English translations follow that Hebrew verse numbering, but in this book, the notes follow the more common English convention. It is recommended that you follow the numbering system of the versions used most in your area.

Paragraph 4:1–3

4:1

Notice that 4:1 uses the same image of refining that was used in 3:1–3.

The LORD is still speaking in 4:1, but the Hebrew text does not make this explicit until 4:1d. In some languages it may be helpful to change this order and begin the verse with this speech clause. For example:

The Lord Almighty says, “The day is coming…” (Good News Translation)

4:1a

For: The Hebrew word ki which the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces a clause which further explains the time when the event in 3:18 would happen. The clause uses figures of speech to explain how people would know the difference between righteous people and wicked ones. Try to find a natural way to express this connection in your translation. In some languages the connection may be implied and may not require a connector in the text.

behold: The Hebrew word hinneh which the Berean Standard Bible translates as behold was also used in 2:3a and 3:1a. In the same way as it was used in those verses, it is used here to draw attention to what follows. In this context it also announces something which was certain to happen soon because it was the LORD who would cause it to happen.

the day is coming: This refers to the day/time when the LORD will come to judge everyone. In other parts of the Bible, this time is called “the day of the LORD.” In this context it may refer to a time period longer than a 24-hour day.

In this verse day is also used as a figure of speech. It refers to what will happen on that day, that is, the way the LORD will judge/punish people.

burning like a furnace: This verse uses a simile to compare the day when the LORD will judge people to a furnace or large oven where people/things could be burned up. On that day the LORD will punish people severely and destroy them like the fire in a furnace burns things and destroys them.

In some languages it may not be natural to compare a day with a furnace. It may be necessary to make the meaning explicit. For example:

The day ⌊when I judge people⌋ will certainly come. ⌊The judgements of⌋ that day will be like fire in an oven…

4:1b

all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble: There is a metaphor here. In 4:1a the day of judgement was compared to a furnace which would burn people/things up. In this part of the verse those who are proud and do evil are compared to stubble.

the arrogant: This is the same word which was used in 3:15a. You should translate it in a similar way here.

evildoer: The Hebrew word used here is very similar in meaning to the one which the Berean Standard Bible translates as “wicked” in 3:18a. It refers to people who do what is evil, that is, what the LORD considers to be wrong. If possible you should use the same term here as you did in 3:18.

stubble: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as stubble refers to the straw which remains after the wheat grains have been removed during the harvest. It burns easily because it is very dry.

General Comment on 4:1b

In some languages it may not be clear how the arrogant and evil people are like stubble. The idea is probably that they will be destroyed very easily and quickly on the day of judgement. It may sometimes be necessary to make the meaning explicit in your translation. For example:

All the people who are arrogant and who do evil will be ⌊destroyed as quickly⌋ as stubble burns up.

4:1c

the day is coming when I will set them ablaze: This sentence continues to use the word day as a figure of speech. It represents the judgements which will happen on that day. In some languages this meaning must be made explicit. For example:

On that day ⌊of judgement⌋ that is coming I will destroy them completely.

set them ablaze: The Hebrew expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as set them ablaze is different from the word which the Berean Standard Bible translated as “burning” in 4:1a. The expression here can be used literally to describe burning something completely, until it is only ashes. Here it is probably used as a figure of speech. It means that the people would be completely destroyed when the LORD judged them.

4:1d

says the LORD of Hosts: The speech clause, says the LORD of Hosts (or “says the LORD”) occurs many times throughout the text. It emphasizes again and again that this is a direct message from the LORD. See the note on 1:2b, 1:6e, 3:5j and 3:7e. See note 1 in “Literary structure and recurring features in Malachi” in the Introduction.

Notice that in the Berean Standard Bible this clause occurs after the speech. This is good English style. You should place it wherever is natural in your language.

the LORD of Hosts: This special title for the LORD occurs twenty-four times in Malachi. See the note on 3:1f. See also the discussion of this term in the Key biblical terms in the book of Malachi section in the Introduction.

4:1e

Not a root or branch will be left to them: This expression again emphasizes complete destruction. It symbolizes this destruction by using a figure of speech. The evil-doers would be like a plant which the LORD would completely destroy, even with all of its roots and branches.

If a literal translation is not clear in your language, there are at least two other possibilities:

• Use a simile. For example:

They will be consumed like a tree—roots and all. (New Living Translation (2004))

• Translate the meaning directly without the figure of speech. For example:

and there will be nothing left of them. (Good News Translation)

Use an option which is clear and natural in your language.

General Comment on 4:1a–e

In this verse the LORD uses a word picture to express what the day of judgement will be like. The picture has at least three parts:

(a) That day (or the punishments on that day) will be like a great fire in a furnace.

(b) Evil people will be destroyed like stubble is destroyed in a fire.

In some languages it may be difficult to use all of these word pictures in this verse. If that is true in your language, you may need to omit some of the details of the word picture. For example, Good News Translation does not mention the “furnace” or “branches and roots.”

The day is coming when all proud and evil people will burn like straw. On that day they will burn up, and there will be nothing left of them.

Express the meaning in a vivid, clear and natural way in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 4:2

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.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2007