SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2007 – Page 6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 1:13

1:13a

You also say: Notice that the Berean Standard Bible and the Hebrew have placed this speech clause at the beginning of 1:13a. In other languages it may be necessary to place it at the end of the verse.

Oh, what a nuisance: Here the LORD described the attitude of the priests towards the sacrificial system he had given them. They thought of it as a burden and they were bored with it.

1:13b

And you turn up your nose at it: There is a textual problem with this part of the verse. There are two possibilities:

(1) Follow the Hebrew texts that can be translated as “sniff at it.”

(2) Follow the Hebrew texts that can be translated as “sniff at me.”

It is recommended that you follow option (1).

turn up your nose at: That is, degrade or treat contemptuously. In some languages there may be a suitable idiom to express this idea.

it: This refers to the altar (the LORD’s table) and the sacrificial system.

1:13c

says the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 1:6e.

the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 1:4d and 1:6e. Translate this term in the same way here.

1:13d

offerings that are stolen: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as offerings that are stolen can have several meanings. The two most common possibilities here are:

(1) It refers to animals which someone stole or seized by force. This is the most common meaning of the Hebrew word. For example:

you bring a stolen animal. (Good News Translation)

(2) It refers to animals which had been attacked and injured. God did not accept injured or mutilated animals as sacrifices (Exodus 22:31). For example:

you bring injured…animals. (New International Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1).

1:13e

lame, or sick: These were categories of animals which were not allowed as sacrifices. See the note on 1:8c.

1:13f

Should I accept these from your hands?: This is a rhetorical question. It is an emphatic way to say that such offerings were unacceptable to the LORD. If your language would not use a rhetorical question to express this meaning, you may use a statement. For example:

You bring them as gifts, but I won’t accept them from you. (New Century Version)

from your hands: The Hebrew expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as from your hands means “from you.” The same Hebrew expression was used in 1:9b and 1:10e.

1:13g

asks 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 1:14

1:14a

But cursed is the deceiver: “Cursing” is the opposite of blessing. The LORD will not only refuse to bless a man who is cursed, but may also take away good things that are in that man’s life. Since the LORD spoke these words, this is a definite statement of what he will do (“I will curse…”), not just a wish.

1:14b

his flock: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as flock refers to the groups of sheep and goats.

1:14d

a defective animal: This refers to an animal which is blemished somehow. This includes animals that were blind, lame or sick. In fact, it includes all the types of defects that the author has mentioned.

the Lord: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Lord here is ʾadonay, not God’s personal name Yahweh. It means “master, lord.” See the first occurrence of this word in 1:12b.

General Comment on 1:14d

Again, the LORD spoke of himself as though he was talking about someone else. If that is confusing in your language, it may be necessary to indicate that the LORD referred to himself. For example:

by sacrificing a defective animal to me ! (New Jerusalem Bible)

1:14e

For: The Hebrew word ki which the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the reason that the LORD will not accept blemished animals as sacrifices. Most English versions translate it as “for” or “because.” Some versions omit it. Use what would be natural in your language in this context to state the LORD’s reason for cursing such a person.

1:14f

says the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 1:6e.

the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 1:4d and 1:6e. Translate this term in the same way here.

1:14g

My name: In the Hebrew Bible, the phrase “the LORD’s name” or My 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 prefers to use “me” instead of My name to make this clear.

feared: The Hebrew verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as feared can also be translated “respected, honored.”

the nations: The Hebrew word goyim which the Berean Standard Bible translates as nations was the word which the Jews used to refer to the Gentiles, the people of all the other nations. It was also used in this way in 1:11a.

General Comment on 1:14a–g

In some languages it may be helpful to re-order this verse. Good News Translation provides one model for this:

14a A curse on the cheater 14d who sacrifices a worthless animal to me, 14b when he has in his flock a good [male] animal 14c that he promised to give me! 14e For I am a great king, 14g and people of all nations fear me, 14f [says the Lord Almighty]. (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 1:1

This is the burden of the word of the LORD: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as burden is the word maśśaʾ. In Scripture, it usually refers to prophetic messages or warnings of judgement. It signifies that what follows is important because it is a direct word from God, which the prophet had a strong obligation to announce.

LORD: The word LORD represents the Hebrew Yahweh, the personal name of God. In the Hebrew text, this is a proper name, not a title or general noun. See the discussion of Yahweh, the LORD in the “Key biblical terms in the book of Malachi” section of the Introduction.

to Israel through Malachi: The word Malachi means “my messenger,” but it is almost certainly used here as the personal name of the prophet. See the discussion of The author in the Introduction.

The writer introduced himself in the third person, as if he were speaking about someone else. The writers of the New Testament letters did this also. Most English versions keep the third person forms. However, if this would be confusing for your readers, you could reword it as the Contemporary English Version has done:

I am Malachi. And this is the message that the Lord gave me for Israel. (Contemporary English Version)

Israel: This refers to the people who were the descendants of Israel (also known as Jacob). Jacob/Israel was the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:2

2:2b

take it to heart: The Hebrew expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as take it to heart is a figure of speech. In this context it means to understand that the command is an important matter and to sincerely resolve to obey it.

2:2c

honor: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as honor is kabod. A form of this word was used in 1:6c, in the rhetorical question, “where is My honor ?” In some languages it may be possible to use a similar expression to translate this idea in both verses.

My name: Here the phrase My name means the same thing as “me.” See the notes on 1:6f and 1:14g.

2:2d

says the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 1:6e.

Notice that Good News Translation placed this phrase at the beginning of the paragraph to make it clear who was speaking and to whom:

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

the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 1:4d and 1:6e. Translate this term in the same way here.

2:2e

I will send a curse among you: Although the Hebrew uses the article “the” here, it does not imply that there has been a particular previously mentioned curse. Instead, the definite article implies “a very great curse.”

In Hebrew culture, once a curse was spoken, it was certain to take place. See also the discussion of curse in 1:14a.

send: In some languages it may not be natural to say, “I will send a curse.” Other ways to express this are, “I will speak a curse” or “I will cause a curse to be ⌊on you⌋.”

2:2f

your blessings: Scholars differ about what the phrase your blessings refers to in this verse. There are at least two main views:

(1) It refers to the special privileges which the priests had. They served the LORD in the temple. Because of the work that they did there, they received the gifts which the other tribes of Israel gave to the LORD. The LORD was warning the priests that he would take away their privileges. For example:

I will put a curse on the things you receive for your support. (Good News Translation)

(2) It refers to the blessings that the priests pronounced for the people to ask the LORD to favor them. The LORD was warning the priests that he would no longer use their words to bless the people. Instead, he would use the words of the blessings to harm the people. For example:

Otherwise, when you give a blessing, I will turn it into a curse. (Contemporary English Version)

Most English versions are ambiguous, and both interpretations are possible. If you must choose between them in your translation, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

2:2h

because: The Hebrew word ki which the Berean Standard Bible translates as because introduces the reason that the LORD had already cursed the priests’ blessings. Most English versions have because here. See the notes on 1:11a and 1:14e, where this same Hebrew word was used. Use what would be natural in your language for this context.

you are not taking it to heart: See the note on 2:2b.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:3

2:3a

In this verse the LORD gave a vivid description of one way he would “curse their blessings,” as he mentioned in 2:2. Unlike most verses in Hebrew, this one does not begin with a connector. However in some languages it may be helpful to use a transition phrase. For example:

Because of you I will rebuke your descendants. (New International Version)

Behold: The Hebrew word hinneh which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Behold is difficult to translate. Many English versions leave it untranslated because it has no equivalent in English.

The usual function of hinneh is to direct the attention of the reader or listener to what follows. Here, the LORD described what would happen immediately. Try to find a way to produce this effect in your translation. For example:

Now, I am going to break… (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I am about to discipline… (NET Bible)

I will rebuke your descendants: That is, I will punish your descendants.

descendants: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as descendants literally means “seed.” Most versions and commentators understand this to refer to the descendants of the priests.

2:3b

I will spread dung on your faces: This is a shocking picture. The LORD was saying that he would rub the faces of the priests in or with the excrement of the animals they sacrificed. This, of course, would make the priests ritually unclean and unable to serve the LORD in his temple and to offer sacrifices there.

dung: The Hebrew word pereš which the Berean Standard Bible translates as dung refers to the excrement that came from the intestines of a sacrificed animal. These were the parts of the animal which were considered unclean and which were to be taken outside the temple and burnt. See Exodus 29:14; Leviticus 4:11, 8:17, 16:27; Numbers 19:5.

2:3c

you will be carried off with it: The Hebrew clause which the Berean Standard Bible translates as you will be carried off with it literally means “and someone/he will carry you off with it.” Here the LORD referred to the custom of taking unacceptable parts of sacrificed animals outside the camp to be thrown away or burned. He implied that the priests were of no value to him and would be carried away with these unacceptable, useless things.

The LORD probably did not mean that he would literally cause the priests to be taken to the dung heap. This was an emphatic way to say that he would remove them from their work just like they removed the excrement and disposed of it. There are two possibilities for translation:

• Use the figure explicitly.

…splatter your faces with the dung of your festival sacrifices, and I will add you to the dung heap. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
…the excrement from your festival sacrifices. You will be discarded with it. (God’s Word)

• Omit the figure in 2:3c and translate the meaning directly. For example:

and I shall banish you from my presence. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
and then be done with you. (Contemporary English Version)

Use the option that communicates best in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:4

2:4a

Then: The word Then in the Berean Standard Bible translates the Hebrew conjunction w-. It connects 2:3 and 2:4. Probably this connection expresses both time and result. “As a result of” the LORD’s punishment of the priests in 2:3, they would know “at that time…” Some English versions also use “so,” which can imply both time and result. Use an option which is natural here in your language.

commandment: This is the same Hebrew word which was translated as “decree” in 2:1. It highlights the theme of serious warning. 2:4 closes this paragraph, but it also introduces the reference to Levi which is expanded in the next paragraph.

2:4b

so that My covenant with Levi may continue: There was hope for these priests if they would repent and obey the LORD. The Scriptures never speak of the LORD breaking his covenant with anyone.

covenant: The word covenant is a theme word in the second chapter of Malachi and indeed through the whole book. See the discussion of this term in the Key biblical terms in the book of Malachi section in the Introduction.

Levi: The priests were all descendants of Jacob’s son Levi. If your readers do not know this, they will not understand the argument here. There are two ways to supply the information:

• Place it in the text as Good News Translation has done:

the priests, the descendants of Levi. (Good News Translation)

• Use a footnote.

Levi himself was not a priest and Scripture does not mention any specific covenant with Levi. However Numbers 25:10–13 speaks of a “covenant of peace” and a “covenant of an everlasting priesthood.” The LORD made this covenant with Phinehas, a descendant of Levi. This verse may refer to that event.

2:4c

says the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 1:6e.

the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 1:4d and 1:6e. Translate this term in the same way here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:5

Paragraph 2:5–7

The Hebrew text uses singular pronouns in 2:5–7 which refer back to Levi. However the reference here is not to Levi himself. It refers to his descendants, the priests of earlier days, who obeyed the LORD. Good News Translation uses the plural form in this paragraph and in the following verses to indicate that the verses refer to more than one person. Similarly, the New Century Version translates this reference to Levi in 2:5 as:

My agreement for priests was with the tribe of Levi. (New Century Version)

You should consider if you should do the same in your translation. Make sure that you are consistent in your use of singular or plural pronouns in this section.

2:5a

one of life and peace: That is, a covenant through which Levi’s descendants would receive life and live in peace/security.

peace: The Hebrew word shalom which the Berean Standard Bible translates as peace means much more than the English word “peace.” It can refer to the state of blessing that results from someone living according to the LORD’s will. This peace included feeling well and whole. See also 2:6c.

2:5b

which I gave to him: That is, I did as I had promised him.

which: That is, life and peace.

him: That is, Levi (and his descendants).

2:5c

it called for reverence: Scholars disagree about the way this clause relates to 2:5b. There are at least three views:

(1) It expresses purpose. The LORD gave Levi and his descendants a covenant of life and peace so that they might respect the LORD. For example:

and this is what I gave them, so that they might respect me. (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, Revised Standard Version, New Century Version, NET Bible, God’s Word)

(2) It expresses the covenant’s requirements. In other words, the LORD’s covenant of life and peace gave them the responsibility to revere the LORD and his covenant. For example:

This called for reverence from them. (New Living Translation (2004))

(3) It expresses the type of covenant, just as “life and peace” do. In other words, it was a covenant of reverence towards him, as well as life and peace. For example:

My covenant was with him—a covenant of life and peace, and these were what I gave him—a covenant of respect… (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

reverence: The purpose of the covenant (2:5a) was to cause Levi and his descendants to respect and revere the LORD.

See the note on 1:6c–d. The same Hebrew word is translated as “reverence” here. If possible, use the same expression in both verses.

2:5d

he revered Me: The Hebrew verb which the Berean Standard Bible translates as revered is a different form of the same verb which was used in 2:5c. This repetition of the verb emphasizes it. In some languages it may be necessary to change the second expression in some way to make it natural. For example:

and of reverence, which he showed Me. (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

2:5e

stood in awe of My name: That is, he respected/feared me greatly. Here again, the subject of the verb is singular, but it refers to both Levi and his descendants.

My name: In the Hebrew Bible, the phrase “the LORD’s name” or My 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 uses “me” instead of My name to make this clear.

General Comment on 2:5d–e

These two verse parts are parallel and have similar meanings:

he revered Me,

and stood in awe of My name.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:6

2:6

his: In this verse the Hebrew forms which the Berean Standard Bible translates as his continue to refer to Levi and his descendants, especially to those who were priests.

2:6a

True instruction: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates here as instruction refers to what the priests taught the people about God’s law. This was one of their responsibilities.

True: The priests taught the people God’s law in an accurate way. They told the truth about what was written in the law.

in his mouth: In Hebrew the expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as in his mouth is a poetic way to refer to the words/teachings of the priests. For example:

They taught the true teachings. (New Century Version)

2:6b

nothing false was found on his lips: That is, he never said/spoke anything evil or untrue.

on his lips: The Hebrew expression which the Berean Standard Bible translates as on his lips is similar to the phrase “in his mouth” in 2:6a. It is another poetic way to refer to the words of Levi and his descendants.

General Comment on 2:6a–b

These two verse parts are parallel. Notice the use of positive and negative terms: true instruction and nothing false (speech).

True instruction was in his mouth,

and nothing false was found on his lips.

2:6c

He walked with Me: This is a figure of speech in Hebrew. “To walk with someone” in this figurative sense means “to live in harmony with someone,” “to live in close fellowship.”

peace: See the note on 2:5a.

uprightness: The Hebrew word which the Berean Standard Bible translates as uprightness can also mean “integrity, loyalty, honesty.”

One way to express this without using a noun is to say, “they always did what was right.”

2:6d

he turned many from iniquity: This is a figure of speech. The early descendants of Levi obeyed the LORD and accurately explained his laws to the people. This caused many people to change the way they behaved—they stopped sinning and began to obey the LORD.

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2007

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 1:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 1:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 1:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Malachi 2:6

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

American Bible Society