SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2007 – Page 4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 4:3

4:3a

Then: The word Then in the Berean Standard Bible translates the Hebrew conjunction w-. Here it introduces another event which will happen for the LORD’s people on the day when he comes. Many English versions translate it as “and” or “then” or omit it. Others use a time phrase. For example:

On the day when I act, you will overcome the wicked. (Good News Translation)

Use the option that is most natural in your language for this context.

you will trample the wicked: The Hebrew phrase which the Berean Standard Bible translates as you will trample the wicked literally means that the righteous people will walk on those who are wicked. They will press or crush them with their feet. This is a symbol which may refer to two different customs of that time:

(a) When people made wine, they walked on the grapes, crushing them with their feet in a “winepress.” In the Bible, this process is used as a symbol for God’s judgement. For example: “the winepress of the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:19).

(b) When people conquered their enemies, they often made the enemies lie down so that they could put their feet on the enemies’ necks. That was a symbol of complete victory.

In this verse the expression symbolizes that the LORD will give the righteous people complete victory over the wicked. There are several options for translation:

• Translate literally. For example:

you will trample those who are evil. (Contemporary English Version)

• Translate the meaning of the symbol directly. For example:

you will overcome the wicked. (Good News Translation)

• Use a simile. For example:

you will triumph over the wicked, as though you were walking on them.

Use an option which is appropriate for your language.

the wicked: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as wicked is the plural form of the same word which was used in 3:18. See the notes on 3:18a and 4:1b. In these verses the LORD referred to the same group of people, that is, those who did evil.

4:3b

for: The Hebrew connector ki which the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces a clause which adds details to explain 4:3a. Here are some ways that English versions have translated it:

you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet… (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Then you will crush the wicked like ashes under your feet… (New Century Version)

Use a natural connection in your language for this context.

they will be ashes under the soles of your feet: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as ashes can mean either “ashes” or “dust:”

(1) It refers to ashes. It adds to the idea of 4:1, which states that evildoers will be completely burnt. Then the righteous will trample on their ashes. In that way they participate symbolically in their punishment.

(2) It refers to dust. It symbolizes the complete humiliation and defeat of the wicked.

(Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

Either option is acceptable, and you should use the one that communicates best in your language.

The Hebrew expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as they will be ashes under the soles of your feet is a metaphor. Here are some translation possibilities:

• Translate literally. For example:

they will be ashes under the soles of your feet. (New International Version)

• Use a simile without stating its meaning. For example:

for they will be like ashes under the soles of your feet. (NET Bible)

• Translate the meaning of the symbol and then use a simile. For example:

You will triumph over them as completely as though they were ashes under your feet.

Be sure to use an option which will connect naturally with your translation of 4:3a.

under the soles of your feet: This reference to a specific part of the foot makes the word picture more vivid in Hebrew. In some languages it may be more natural to make the reference general. For example:

like ashes under your feet. (New Century Version)

4:3c

on the day I am preparing: This is the same phrase as in 3:17c. Try to translate it in the same way here.

4:3d

says the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 3:1f.

the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 3:1f.

General Comment on 4:3a–d

In some languages it may be more natural to re-order some of the information in this verse. For example:

3c When I come to bring justice, 3a you will trample those who are evil, 3b as though they were ashes under your feet. 3d I, the Lord All-Powerful, have spoken! (Contemporary English Version)

Paragraph 4:4

© 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 4:4

4:4a

The LORD continued to speak here. Since this verse begins a new paragraph, it may be helpful in some languages to repeat the speech clause from 4:3d. Check what you did in the similar situation at 3:6 and do the same here, if it is appropriate.

the law of My servant Moses: This means the law which the LORD gave to Moses to give to the people. This is made explicit in 4:4b. In some languages it may be more natural to make it explicit here.

My servant Moses: Moses is called the LORD’s servant because he consistently obeyed and submitted himself to the LORD. In some languages a word like “servant” may imply wrong meanings. If that is true in your language, try to express the idea of loyalty and obedience in a natural way. For example:

Moses, who faithfully obeyed me
-or-
Moses, my faithful worker.

4:4b

statutes: The Hebrew word hoq which the Berean Standard Bible translates statutes refers to the laws which the LORD gave to the people of Israel.

ordinances: The Hebrew word mišpaṭ which the Berean Standard Bible translates as ordinances refers to the decisions the LORD made when he judged people. He decided what was right to do in particular cases, and those decisions continued to apply for all future cases of that type. This has been translated in various ways by English versions. For example:

precepts (Revised English Bible)

regulations (New Living Translation (2004))

commands (Good News Translation)

all Israel: This refers to all the people of Israel.

Horeb: This is an alternative name for Mount Sinai, where the LORD gave his law to Moses.

General Comment on 4:4b

Although the terms “statutes” and “ordinances” are not always exact synonyms, here they do function as synonyms. They both refer to the laws the LORD gave to Moses. In some languages it may be necessary to translate these two terms with only one expression. For example:

When I gave these commands to him at Mount Sinai, I ordered all the people of Israel ⌊to obey them⌋.

Paragraph 4:5–6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 4:5

4:5a

Behold: As in 2:3a, 3:1a, 3:1e and 4:1a, the Hebrew word hinneh is again used to emphasize that the things the LORD stated next would definitely happen. This meant that the people of Israel needed to immediately change the way they behaved towards him.

Some ways to signal this urgency in English are:

Listen.

Be alert.

Be watchful.

I will send you Elijah the prophet: Although this mentions Elijah, it is actually a prophecy about John the Baptist (see Matthew 11:13–14). He was the messenger whose coming had already been predicted in Malachi 3:1. He would be like Elijah.

Elijah the prophet: Elijah was a well-known prophet in Israel. He lived a long time before Malachi. He never died but was taken up into heaven in a whirlwind. The people of Israel expected that he would return to the earth one day. See 1 Kings chapters 17–19, 1 Kings chapter 21; 2 Kings chapters 1 and 2, especially 2 Kings 2:1–11.

4:5b

the great and awesome Day of the LORD: This is the day which other prophets referred to simply as “the day of the LORD.” For example, see Amos 5:18, 5:20; Joel 1:15, 2:1, 3:14; Isaiah 13:6, 13:9; Zephaniah 1:7.

Elsewhere in Malachi, this same day has been referred to in other ways. For example: “the day of His coming” (3:2), “the day” (4:1), “the day is coming” (4:1), “the day I am preparing” (4:3).

In this verse the LORD himself is speaking. In some languages it may be necessary to use a first person pronoun to indicate this. For example:

the day when I, the LORD, ⌊will judge⌋.

great: This day is described as great because it is uniquely important. It is the day when the LORD will finally judge all people.

awesome: The day is described as awesome because it will cause terror and intense fear in human beings. Other words which could be used in English are “dreadful,” “terrifying,” or “fearsome.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 4:6

4:6a

And: The word And in the Berean Standard Bible translates the Hebrew conjunction w-. Here it introduces what the person who will be like Elijah will do when he comes. Many English versions omit the word. Use what is natural in your language here.

he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children: This means that the one who will be like Elijah will help fathers reconcile with their children. Fathers will have feelings of love for their children again.

4:6b

and the hearts of the children to their fathers: This clause repeats the main idea of 4:6a from the children’s point of view. Some of the information is implied. The full idea is: “and ⌊he will turn⌋ the hearts of children to their fathers ⌊also ⌋. ” In some languages it may be necessary to repeat the implied information here. For example:

He will help fathers reconcile with their children, and ⌊he will also help⌋ children reconcile with their fathers.

4:6c

Otherwise: The Hebrew conjunction which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Otherwise introduces a warning. Here are some other ways to express this in English:

lest I come and smite the land with a curse. (Revised Standard Version)
-or-

so that I will not come and strike the earth with judgment. (NET Bible)
-or-

If not, I will come and reclaim my land by destroying you. (God’s Word)

Use a natural way to express the warning in your language.

strike the land with a curse: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as curse refers to the most severe type of curse among the Hebrews. This is a different Hebrew word than the one that was used in 2:2 and 3:9. This word means that the person or thing which is cursed must be totally destroyed. In this verse, the LORD indicated that if people did not change as described in 4:6a–b, he would totally destroy the land of Israel.

In some languages this meaning must be made explicit. For example:

otherwise I would have to come and destroy your country. (Good News Translation)

strike: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as strike can be translated as “smite,” “destroy,” or “punish.”

the land: This refers to the land of Israel.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:1

Paragraph 2:1–4

The LORD continued to rebuke the priests in this paragraph. He warned them that they would be punished if they did not repent.

Some English versions have a section heading at this point. However the main theme is the same as in the previous chapter. It is recommended that you not create a heading here. However, if a Bible in another language that churches use widely in your area has a heading here, you may need to follow that same format.

2:1

In the Hebrew text, the speaker, “the LORD of hosts,” is not identified until 2:2d. If this would cause difficulty in your translation, you can move the speech clause forward from 2:2d to the beginning of the chapter. Good News Translation does this:

The Lord Almighty says to the priests… (Good News Translation)

And now: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as now is a time word. It is preceded by the conjunction w-, usually translated as “and.” The LORD used this expression to introduce the next things he would say. It emphasizes that these things were important. In some languages, it may not be natural to use a time word to express this meaning. Some other ways to say this are:

Listen, you priests; this command is for you! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I, the Lord All-Powerful, have something else to say to you priests. (Contemporary English Version)

Some English versions omit this phrase. Use what would be natural in your language to present another important topic as part of the same discourse.

decree: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as decree can also be translated “warning” (God’s Word). That is, it refers to a solemn, unchangeable decree/pronouncement. In this context it refers to the warnings which follow in 2:2–9. The same Hebrew word is translated as “commandment” in 2:4a.

O priests: The LORD was still speaking to the priests. In some languages it may be necessary to put this expression at the start of the speech. For example:

Priests, this command is for you. (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 1:2

Section 1:2–5

The LORD loved the people of Israel very much

Paragraph 1:2–5

At the time when Malachi was writing, the people of Israel were discouraged. Some years earlier their enemies, the Babylonians, had defeated them in war and had taken them as slaves to Babylon.

After some time the people of Israel had been released and were now living again in their own land, but life was very difficult. Perhaps they felt that the LORD had failed to bless them as a nation. They questioned whether the LORD really loved them. The LORD answered this accusation by pointing out that he had chosen to love them more than other nations. He told them that he had shown this love when he chose their ancestor Jacob and entered into a covenant relationship with him and his descendants (Genesis 28:13–15, 35:9–12, 46:3–4).

1:2a

I have loved you: This is the first of the LORD’s statements of fact.

have loved: The tense of the verb “love” used here in Hebrew is not limited to present time. It can include past time as well as a present. Good News Translation makes this clear with:

I have always loved you. (Good News Translation)

1:2b

says the LORD: The speech clause, says the LORD (or “says the LORD of Hosts”), occurs many times throughout the text. This emphasizes repeatedly that this is a direct message from the LORD. 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 your speech clause wherever it would naturally occur in your language.

1:2c

But you ask: This phrase introduces the first of the objections made by the people of Israel. Most English versions keep the second person pronoun you. This emphasizes the personal relationship which the LORD had with his people.

How have You loved us?: This question expresses surprise and disbelief.

1:2d

Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?: This is a rhetorical question. The LORD was speaking again. By using the question form, the LORD emphasized a fact that the people knew well. Esau and Jacob were children of the same father and the same mother. (In fact, they were twins. See Genesis 25:21–26.)

declares the LORD: See the note on 1:2b. Notice that in the Berean Standard Bible this speech clause again occurs after the question. This is good English style. You should place it wherever it would naturally occur in your language.

1:2e–3a

loved…hated: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as hated needs to be understood in contrast to the word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as loved. In this context loved means “chosen,” “favored” (as in Deuteronomy 7:7–8; Jeremiah 31:3; Hosea 11:1), while hated is the opposite: “not chosen,” “rejected” or “set aside.” Jacob had been chosen to be the ancestor of the LORD’s special people. By choosing Jacob, the LORD, therefore, was not choosing Jacob’s twin brother, Esau.

In some languages it may be best to use words like “choose” and “reject.” For example:

yet I have accepted Jacob and have rejected Esau. (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
yet I chose Jacob, and rejected Esau. (NET Bible)

Jacob…Esau: This verse is not referring only to the individuals, Jacob and Esau, but also to their descendants. Jacob was the ancestor of the nation of Israel, and Esau was the ancestor of a different nation. In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit. For example:

2 Esau and Jacob were brothers, but I have loved Jacob and his descendants, 3 and have hated Esau and his descendants. (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 1:2e–3a

In some languages it may be helpful to reverse the order of 1:2e and 1:3a. For example:

3a but it was not Esau whom I chose ⌊to be the ancestor of my people.⌋ 2e ⌊Instead,⌋ I chose Jacob ⌊and his descendants⌋.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 1:3

1:3b

made…a wasteland: The Hebrew expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as made…a wasteland literally means “made a waste.” This means that the LORD made the land barren and deserted. Some ways to say this are:

I turned Esau’s hill country into a barren desert. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I turned Esau’s mountains into a deserted wasteland. (NET Bible)

his mountains: Esau had already been dead many years before Malachi received this prophecy. The expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as his mountains refers to the hilly region where Esau’s descendants lived.

1:3c

inheritance: This refers to the land of Edom, that is, the land where Esau and his descendants had formerly lived. The LORD had given them that land, but later he had taken it from them because of what they had done to the people of Israel.

desert jackals: The desert jackals mentioned here are wild animals of the dog family (similar to wolves). They usually hunt in packs and often make a sad-sounding cry at night. In the Bible they are almost always associated with scenes of desolation. If jackals are unknown in your area, possible substitutes might be: wolves, hyenas, or just “wild animals.”

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 1:4

1:4a

Edom: This refers to the Edomites, the descendants of Edom. Edom was another name used to refer to Esau (Genesis 25:30, 36:1). In some languages a footnote might be helpful to explain this.

may say: The text does not tell us to whom the Edomites were speaking. It is possible that they were speaking to each other. However it is recommended that you do not specify this unless it is necessary to do so in your language.

1:4b

We have been devastated: That is, our towns have been devastated/destroyed.

1:4c

the ruins: This refers to what remained of Edom’s towns after their enemies had destroyed them.

1:4d

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

says: The text does not specify to whom the LORD was speaking here. However it is clear that he was continuing to speak to Israel about Edom. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this explicit.

1:4g

They will be called the Land of Wickedness: This is one way in which people described Edom.

the Land of Wickedness: This is a figure of speech. It is the people who lived in the region who were wicked, not the land itself.

1:4h

a people with whom the LORD is indignant forever: This is the second way in which people described Edom:

a people: This refers to the Edomites.

with whom the LORD is indignant forever: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as is indignant refers both to anger and the action that shows that anger. One way to say this would be:

towards whom the LORD shows his anger forever.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2007