Malachi 3 17

Malachi 3:17 kjv

And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

Malachi 3:17 nkjv

"They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him."

Malachi 3:17 niv

"On the day when I act," says the LORD Almighty, "they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him.

Malachi 3:17 esv

"They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.

Malachi 3:17 nlt

"They will be my people," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. "On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.

Malachi 3 verses

Malachi 3 17 Meaning

Malachi 3:17 conveys God's unwavering promise to His faithful people amidst societal unfaithfulness. It declares that those who truly revere and serve the Lord are His cherished, distinct, and highly valued possessions. On a predetermined future "Day of the Lord," God will publicly acknowledge and gather them. Furthermore, He promises to exercise profound compassion and protection over them, akin to a loving father sparing his obedient and dutiful son, setting them apart from the judgment that will fall upon the wicked. This verse directly counters the cynical belief that serving God is futile, asserting divine justice and ultimate reward for the righteous.

Malachi 3 17 Context

Malachi 3:17 stands as a divine response within a prophetic dialogue in the book of Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, set in the post-exilic period (circa 5th century BC). The returning exiles, facing hardship and disillusionment, had become cynical about God's justice and promises. They questioned God's love, offerings, tithing, and most pointedly, asserted, "It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered" (Mal 3:14-15). This represents a direct polemic against the prevailing apathy and fatalism, suggesting that righteous living was unprofitable while wickedness prospered.

In response, Malachi 3:16 describes those "who feared the LORD" speaking to one another, and God hearing and remembering them in a "book of remembrance." Verse 17 then follows, articulating God's definitive distinction between the faithful and the unfaithful, reassuring those who were truly devoted to Him that their service was not in vain. It emphasizes that a "day" is coming when this distinction will be clear, a theme central to the "Day of the Lord" motif that culminates in Malachi 4, where the righteous will be spared while the wicked are destroyed. The immediate chapter context includes a promise of a divine messenger to prepare the way (Mal 3:1) and an accusation against the people for not tithing (Mal 3:7-12), followed by their cynical complaints and God's powerful assurances.

Malachi 3 17 Word analysis

• And they shall be mine:
  • Hebrew: v'hayu li (וְהָיוּ לִי) – "and they shall be to Me." This signifies belonging and ownership. It emphasizes a special, intimate possession by God, not just a general relationship.
  • Significance: This declaration establishes divine sovereignty and claim over those who fear Him. It's a statement of ultimate belonging, countering the perception that God doesn't care or acknowledge their service.
• saith the Lord of hosts:
  • Hebrew: ne'um Yahweh Tz'va'ot (נְאֻם יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת) – A standard prophetic formula meaning "the utterance of the LORD of Armies."
  • Significance: This phrase adds supreme authority and certainty to the preceding statement. "Lord of hosts" (or "Lord of Armies") underscores God's omnipotence and power over all heavenly and earthly forces, assuring that His promise will be perfectly fulfilled.
• in that day:
  • Hebrew: bay-yom asher (בַּיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר) – Literally "in the day which."
  • Significance: This points to a specific, decisive future moment, a recurring prophetic theme often referred to as "the Day of the Lord." This day will involve divine intervention, judgment for the wicked, and vindication/salvation for the righteous. It contrasts with the present apparent prosperity of the wicked (Mal 3:15).
• when I make up my jewels:
  • KJV "jewels" translates the Hebrew segullah (סְגֻלָּה), which means "special possession," "treasured possession," "peculiar treasure." Other translations use "my special possession" (NIV, NASB, ESV).
  • Significance: The rendering "jewels" captures the value and preciousness implied by segullah. It refers to something set apart, guarded, and highly prized. It’s not just any property but a uniquely esteemed treasure. This emphasizes God's personal selection and the intrinsic worth He places on His faithful people, separating them from the general populace. It aligns with Malachi 3:16 where God records them in a book of remembrance.
• and I will spare them:
  • Hebrew: v'achmol aleihem (וְאָחְמֹל עֲלֵיהֶם) – "and I will pity them," "have compassion on them," or "show mercy to them."
  • Significance: This denotes God's protective and merciful action, specifically implying exemption or preservation from the judgment or destruction appointed for the wicked "in that day" (Mal 4:1-3). It highlights divine grace and selective compassion for His own.
• as a man spares his own son that serveth him:
  • Simile analysis: This powerful analogy clarifies the depth of God's compassion and protective care. A father's love for his child, especially one who is obedient and dutiful, is natural and profound.
  • "his own son": Emphasizes intimacy, belonging, and familial affection, connecting back to God's people being "mine."
  • "that serveth him": This crucial qualifier reinforces the link to the preceding complaints in Malachi 3:14-15 about the vanity of service. God clarifies that the "sparing" is specifically for those who, unlike the cynical, faithfully served Him. This counters the accusation that their devotion goes unnoticed or unrewarded. It distinguishes genuine faithful obedience from mere ritual or lip service.
  • Significance: This illustrates God's just recompense, assuring that faithful service is recognized and rewarded with paternal compassion and protection, directly refuting the complaints of the unfaithful who felt their service was unprofitable.

Malachi 3 17 Bonus section

The strong connection between Malachi 3:16 and 3:17 is essential. Verse 16 highlights God's act of remembering and documenting "those who feared the LORD and that thought upon his name" in a "book of remembrance." Verse 17 then reveals why they are remembered: they are God's "special possession" (segullah), and this remembrance guarantees their preservation on the coming "Day." Thus, the book of remembrance is not just a record, but an assurance of divine identification and protection for the loyal. The ultimate point of Malachi 3:17 is God's ultimate justice and discernment, proving that no act of faith or service goes unnoticed or unrewarded in His eyes, countering all cynicism and doubt from the people.

Malachi 3 17 Commentary

Malachi 3:17 delivers a profound declaration of God's unfailing justice and love, directly addressing the spiritual weariness and cynical questions prevalent in the post-exilic community. It begins with an assertion of divine ownership: "And they shall be mine," indicating God's deep affection and special claim on those who truly revere and remember Him (as noted in the preceding verse 3:16). This relationship is not passive; these individuals are not merely part of a larger group, but His unique, "jewels" or "special possession"—something cherished, valuable, and set apart from the common. This sets up a powerful contrast with the unfaithful who questioned the profitability of service.

The timing, "in that day," refers to the future "Day of the Lord," a day of ultimate divine distinction where God's true nature as both a judge and a redeemer will be fully manifest. While the wicked will face severe consequences (as detailed in Malachi 4:1), God promises to "spare" His faithful ones. The vivid simile "as a man spares his own son that serveth him" encapsulates God's compassionate and protective nature. It portrays a father's profound love, pity, and willingness to protect and provide for a son who is not only beloved but also obedient and dutiful. This reassures those who have been diligently serving God in a challenging environment that their efforts are not futile, but recognized, appreciated, and will culminate in divine preservation and honor. The verse serves as both a comfort and a validation for the righteous, ensuring them that God sees, remembers, and will definitively distinguish them in His final righteous judgment.

Examples:

• Perseverance: It encourages believers to persevere in faith and obedience, knowing their service is noted and treasured by God.
• Assurance: Provides assurance that God will protect His own when judgment falls upon the wicked.
• Motivation: Motivates a heart of sincere service, not out of fear, but from a knowledge that God values true devotion.