Malachi 2:9 kjv
Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.
Malachi 2:9 nkjv
"Therefore I also have made you contemptible and base Before all the people, Because you have not kept My ways But have shown partiality in the law."
Malachi 2:9 niv
"So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law."
Malachi 2:9 esv
and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction."
Malachi 2:9 nlt
"So I have made you despised and humiliated in the eyes of all the people. For you have not obeyed me but have shown favoritism in the way you carry out my instructions."
Malachi 2 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Malachi 2:9 | "Therefore I have also made you contemptible and vile before all the people..." | Malachi 2:9 (Own context) |
| 1 Samuel 2:30 | "...But now the LORD says, 'Far be it from Me! For those who honor Me I will honor..." | 1 Samuel 2:30 (Honor principle) |
| Psalm 22:6 | "But I am a worm and not a man, A reproach of men and despised by the people." | Psalm 22:6 (Despised theme) |
| Isaiah 49:7 | "Thus says the LORD, The Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One, To Him whom man despises..." | Isaiah 49:7 (Despised by man) |
| Jeremiah 6:15 | "Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed..." | Jeremiah 6:15 (Shamelessness) |
| Ezekiel 22:26 | "Her priests have violated My law and defiled My holy things; they have put no difference between the holy and the unholy..." | Ezekiel 22:26 (Priestly failure) |
| Amos 8:4-6 | "Hear this, you who swallow the needy, And make the poor of the land fail..." | Amos 8:4-6 (Oppression) |
| Romans 2:24 | "For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you..." | Romans 2:24 (Name dishonored) |
| 1 Corinthians 6:18 | "Flee sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body..." | 1 Corinthians 6:18 (Sin) |
| Titus 1:7 | "For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for gain..." | Titus 1:7 (Leadership standard) |
| 1 Peter 5:3 | "...nor as being lords in the herd, but being examples to the flock;" | 1 Peter 5:3 (Shepherding role) |
| Revelation 2:14 | "But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam..." | Revelation 2:14 (False doctrine) |
| Matthew 5:19 | "Whoever therefore breaks one of these least commandments and teaches men so shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven..." | Matthew 5:19 (Breaking commands) |
| John 15:18 | "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." | John 15:18 (Persecution) |
| Philippians 1:27 | "...that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." | Philippians 1:27 (Unity) |
| Hebrews 13:17 | "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch for your souls, as those who must give an account..." | Hebrews 13:17 (Submission to leaders) |
| Jeremiah 23:11 | "For both prophet and priest are profane; Yes, I have seen evil in My house," says the LORD." | Jeremiah 23:11 (Profanity in religious leaders) |
| Ezekiel 20:23 | "Also I raised My hand in the wilderness to scatter them among the nations and disperse them through the countries..." | Ezekiel 20:23 (Scattering due to disobedience) |
| Nehemiah 9:37 | "And they yield a revenue because of it, on our lands and on our produce, over and above those who were there before us." | Nehemiah 9:37 (Sustenance) |
| Proverbs 3:9-10 | "Honor the LORD with your wealth, And with the firstfruits of all your produce..." | Proverbs 3:9-10 (Honoring with offerings) |
Malachi 2 verses
Malachi 2 9 Meaning
This verse addresses the priests directly, stating that because they did not honor the LORD of Hosts or respect the covenant established with them, they have fallen into disgrace. The consequences of their dishonor and disregard for the covenant are public shame and contempt from all the people.
Malachi 2 9 Context
Malachi 2:9 is part of a strong rebuke directed at the priests of Israel during the post-exilic period. The preceding verses (Malachi 2:1-9) detail their corrupt practices, including offering defiled sacrifices and neglecting the covenant of Levi. They are accused of not truly honoring God's name or upholding their responsibilities as spiritual leaders. The people are also shown to be dealing treacherously with one another and with God, leading to a breakdown of trust and faithfulness. This verse serves as a direct consequence of the priests' failures, emphasizing that their contemptible state before the people stems from their own dishonor towards God and His covenant.
Malachi 2 9 Word analysis
- ve-shammáti (וְשַׁמֹּותִי) - "and I have made desolate," "and I have made a desolation," "and I have made contemptible." It signifies bringing something to ruin, making it empty, or causing it to be despised. The Septuagint translates it with words related to shame and dishonor.
- u-me’attí (וּמְאָסְתִּי) - "and I have despised," "and I have regarded as refuse." This intensifies the idea of rejection and finding something worthless.
- bet-kol-am (בִּבְנֵי עַמֶּךָ) - "before all your people," "among all the children of your people." This indicates the public nature of their shame. The reference is to the entirety of the community.
- ki-atah (כִּי־אַתָּה) - "because you." This conjunction links the cause (priests' actions) with the effect (their contemptible state).
- mekarev (מְקֹרֵר) - "have not been," "did not continue," "did not become." This implies a failure to adhere or to consistently act in a certain way.
- kared (כָּבֵד) - "honored," "esteemed," "valued." It refers to treating something or someone with respect and deference due to their worth or position.
- lar-Yĕhovah tsebā’ôth (לַיהוָה צְבָאֹות) - "the LORD of Hosts." This is a crucial divine title emphasizing God's supreme authority, power, and His command over heavenly armies, underscoring the gravity of disrespecting Him.
- u-leshām’ar (וּלְשַׁמָּר) - "and have not respected," "and have not kept," "and have not guarded." Related to guarding or keeping a covenant, or showing reverence.
- eḏ-tōw (אֶת־עֵדוּתֹו) - "His covenant," "His testimony." In this context, it refers specifically to the covenant made with the Levitical priesthood.
- eṯ-habbĕrit (אֶת־הַבְּרִית) - "the covenant." Referring back to the everlasting covenant God made with the tribe of Levi, particularly concerning their priestly duties.
Word group analysis:
- "have made you contemptible and vile before all your people": This phrase highlights a loss of respect and a descent into disgrace, impacting their social and religious standing within the community due to their unfaithfulness.
- "because you have not honored the LORD of Hosts, nor respected the covenant of Levi": This is the root cause of their disgrace. Their failure to uphold God's honor and the sacred covenant associated with the priesthood of Levi is explicitly stated as the reason for their fallen status.
Malachi 2 9 Bonus section
The covenant of Levi (mentioned indirectly through "the covenant of Levi" implied in the broader context of the priests' duties) was established in Numbers 3 and Deuteronomy 18. This covenant set apart the Levites for God's service, and Aaron and his descendants for the priesthood. The covenant detailed their responsibilities and God’s blessings upon their faithfulness. The priests' failure here was a betrayal of this specific, sacred agreement. The contempt they faced from the people mirrors how spiritual apostasy often leads to a loss of credibility and respect in society. This also prefigures New Testament teachings on the responsibilities and conduct expected of spiritual leaders, like elders and pastors, who are called to be blameless and to honor God's name.
Malachi 2 9 Commentary
The priests were entrusted with a sacred duty and a divine covenant. Their role was to mediate between God and the people, to teach God's law, and to offer sacrifices. However, they had grown complacent and corrupt, offering blemished sacrifices and failing to live by the principles of the covenant they represented. This dishonor extended not only to God but also to the sanctity of their office. As a result, God declares that they have become objects of contempt in the eyes of the very people they were meant to serve. This reflects a profound loss of integrity and authority, where their actions have demoted them from revered spiritual leaders to despised figures. True honor comes from honoring God, and His rejection leads to public shame.
- When leaders neglect their covenant responsibilities, their spiritual influence wanes, and the people lose respect for them.
- God's honor is paramount; any disrespect shown to Him will eventually result in disgrace for the offender, especially those in leadership positions.