Malachi 2 · Verse 1

Malachi 2:1

And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.
Malachi 2:1, King James Version

Malachi 2:1 in other translations

BSB“And now this decree is for you, O priests:
WEB“Now, you priests, this commandment is for you.
ASVAnd now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.
YLTAnd now, to you is this charge, O priests,
DARBYAnd now, ye priests, this commandment is for you.
BBEAnd now, O you priests, this order is for you.
WebsterAnd now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.

What does Malachi 2:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Mal 2:1-17. Reproof of the Priests for Violating the Covenant; and the People Also for Mixed Marriages and Unfaithfulness.

1. for you--The priests in particular are reproved, as their part was to have led the people aright, and reproved sin, whereas they encouraged and led them into sin. Ministers cannot sin or suffer alone. They drag down others with them if they fall [Moore].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

The priests reproved for their unfaithfulness in their office, for which they are threatened to be deprived of their share of the sacrifice, (the shoulder), and rewarded only with ignominy and ordure, Mal 2:1-3. The degeneracy of the order is then complained of, and they are again threatened, Mal 2:4-9. The rest of the chapter reproves the people for marrying strange and idolatrous women; and multiplying divorces, with all their consequent distress, in order to make way for such illicit alliances, Mal 2:10-17. See Neh 10:30; Neh 13:13, etc.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Malachi 2:1-9
What is here said of the covenant of priesthood, is true of the covenant of grace made with all believers, as spiritual priests. It is a covenant of life and peace; it assures all believers of all happiness, both in this world and in that to come. It is an honour to God's servants to be employed as his messengers. The priest's lips should not keep knowledge from his people, but keep it for them. The people are all concerned to know the will of the Lord. We must not only consult the written word, but desire instruction and advice from God's messengers, in the affairs of our souls. Ministers must exert themselves to the utmost for the conversion of sinners; and even among those called Israelites, there are many to be turned from iniquity. Those ministers, and those only, are likely to turn men from sin, who preach sound doctrine, and live holy lives according to the Scripture. Many departed from this way; thus they misled the people. Such as walk with God in peace and righteousness, and turn others from sin, honour God; he will honour them, while those who despise him shall be lightly esteemed.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Malachi 2:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וְעַתָּ֗הve.'a.Tahand nowH6258
אֲלֵיכֶ֛ם'a.lei.Khem[is] to youH413
הַמִּצְוָ֥הha.mitz.Vahthe commandmentH4687
הַזֹּ֖אתha.Zot<the> thisH2063
הַכֹּהֲנִֽים\׃ha.ko.ha.NimO priestsH3548

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Malachi 2:1

  • Hosea 5:1

    Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.

  • Jeremiah 13:13

    Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David’s throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.

  • Malachi 1:6

    A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

  • Lamentations 4:13

    For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 He sharply reproves the priests for neglecting their covenant;
10 and the people for marrying strange wives;
13 and for putting away their former ones,
17 and for infidelity.

1:6; Jer 13:13; La 4:13; Ho 5:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Malachi 2:1

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

  • Malachi 2:2

    If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

Read all of Malachi 2

Malachi 2:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		AHORA pues, oh sacerdotes, á vosotros es este mandamiento.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et maintenant, sacrificateurs, ce commandement est pour vous.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und nun, ihr Priester, an euch ergeht dieses Gebot!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et nunc ad vos mandatum hoc, o sacerdotes.