Malachi 2 6

Malachi 2:6 kjv

The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.

Malachi 2:6 nkjv

The law of truth was in his mouth, And injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and equity, And turned many away from iniquity.

Malachi 2:6 niv

True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin.

Malachi 2:6 esv

True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.

Malachi 2:6 nlt

They passed on to the people the truth of the instructions they received from me. They did not lie or cheat; they walked with me, living good and righteous lives, and they turned many from lives of sin.

Malachi 2 verses

Malachi 2 6 Meaning

The verse emphasizes the covenant faithfulness of God to His people, particularly through their priests, and highlights that the law given to Levi was intended for life and peace. It also acknowledges God’s jealousy regarding the disrespect shown to His covenant, which led to spiritual decay among the priests and the people. This divine jealousy stems from a deep love and a desire for righteous covenant relationship, not from insecurity.

Malachi 2 6 Context

Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament, written after the Babylonian exile. The people have returned to Jerusalem but are experiencing hardship and spiritual apathy. They question God’s love and fairness. Malachi’s prophecy addresses the unfaithfulness of the people and, specifically, the priests who have corrupted their role and the covenant. Chapter 2 focuses on the sin of the priests in turning away from God’s commands and causing the people to stumble. Verse 6 specifically speaks about the nature of the law and the priests’ supposed adherence to it, contrasting it with their actual behavior and the consequence of their actions.

Malachi 2 6 Word Analysis

• וְלַהֲתֵף (ve’laha’tef) - "And that it should be..." / "and to uphold..."
  • This Hebrew word conveys the idea of seizing, snatching, or firmly holding. In this context, it suggests the intention or essence of the covenant and the law for Levi was meant to be a strong grasp, a powerful safeguard.
• תוֹרַת (torat) - "law of..." / "teaching of..."
  • From Torah, which means instruction, teaching, or law. It refers not just to the Pentateuch, but to God’s divine guidance and commandments.
• אֱמֶת (emet) - "truth."
  • Implies sincerity, faithfulness, reliability. The law of God is rooted in truth and demands a truthful response.
• וְעַוְלָה (ve’avla) - "and iniquity" / "and wrongdoing."
  • Avlah denotes crookedness, injustice, perversity, or error.
• לֹא־נִמְצָאָה (lo nimtza’h) - "was not found."
  • Indicates the absence of wrongdoing. The ideal state, which the priests were supposed to uphold and embody.
• בְּשְׂפָתָיו (bisphatayv) - "on his lips" / "from his lips."
  • Refers to speech, communication. The mouth is seen as the source of both instruction and ethical conduct.
• בְּשָׁלֹום (beshalom) - "in peace."
  • Shalom signifies completeness, wholeness, welfare, prosperity, and harmony. In the covenant relationship, peace is the outcome of obedience and faithfulness.
• וַיַּצִּדֵק (vayatzidek) - "and he made right" / "and he justified."
  • From the root tsadeq, meaning to be righteous, to be just. This implies making something right, or vindicating someone/something. Here, it speaks to how Levi's covenant secured righteousness.
• רַבִּים (rabbim) - "many."
  • Indicating a broad effect or benefit.
• הֲשׁוֹבֵב (hashovvev) - "turning back" / "causing to turn back."
  • Suggests the active process of restoring or causing a return from sin or error.
• מֵעָוֶל (me’avel) - "from iniquity."
  • A departure from wrongdoing or sin.

Group of Words Analysis:

• "the law of truth was in his mouth" - This phrase emphasizes the integrity of the teaching the Levitical priests were meant to impart. It wasn't just about following rules, but about adhering to the essence of God's truthful character and commandments.
• "and iniquity was not found on his lips" - This points to the need for consistency between profession and practice. Their speech, their pronouncements, their teaching should have been free from sin, deceit, or crookedness.
• "he turned many back from iniquity" - This describes the positive outcome of true priestly ministry. By upholding truth and living righteously, they would guide others away from sin.
• "in peace and kept him" / "and he walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back from iniquity." - The parallel structure in some translations shows the holistic outcome: peace (shalom) signifies covenant well-being and upright living leading to communal restoration. God's intention was for Levi to maintain this relationship, which would then bless the people.

Malachi 2 6 Bonus Section

The concept of God's "jealousy" (as seen in the preceding and succeeding verses) is not an emotion rooted in insecurity but in God's passionate love for His covenant people and His fierce commitment to His own holiness. He "jealously" guards the covenant relationship because He knows its importance for their well-being and His own glory. This verse, particularly the phrase "the law of truth," connects directly to the New Testament understanding of Jesus Christ as the embodiment of truth and grace, fulfilling the Law given through Moses. As John 1:17 states, "For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." Jesus, our great High Priest, perfectly lived out the ideal described here. He spoke the truth without iniquity on His lips and by His sacrificial death and resurrection, has turned many back from iniquity, ushering in the ultimate covenant of peace (Hebrews 12:24, Hebrews 8:8-12).

Malachi 2 6 Commentary

This verse begins by affirming the divine intention for the Levitical covenant: that it was established to uphold the law of truth and to ensure righteousness (he made right many). The priest's role was to be a conduit of God's accurate, truthful instruction and to live in such a way (iniquity was not found on his lips) that they guided the people toward peace and faithfulness. This ministry had the potential to powerfully turn people away from sin (turning back many from iniquity). However, the subsequent context of Malachi reveals that this ideal was far from being realized by the priests of Malachi’s day. They had become corrupt, leading people astray, despising God’s name and His commands, particularly through their unholy sacrifices and lax attitudes. The verse serves as a stark reminder of the high calling of God’s ministers and the severe consequences of their failure, as it evokes God's "jealousy" over His covenant and the spiritual state of His people. The "peace" spoken of is not merely absence of conflict, but the blessed state of covenant fellowship that results from obedience to God’s truthful law.