Malachi 3 5

Malachi 3:5 kjv

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 3:5 nkjv

And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien? Because they do not fear Me," Says the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 3:5 niv

"So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.

Malachi 3:5 esv

"Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 3:5 nlt

"At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

Malachi 3 verses

Malachi 3 5 Meaning

This verse serves as a pronouncement of God's judgment, declaring His readiness to act as a swift witness against those who oppress, pervert justice, and exploit laborers, while failing to honor Him.

Malachi 3 5 Context

Malachi prophesied during a period when the returned exiles from Babylon were re-establishing their lives in Jerusalem. Despite the rebuilding of the Temple and the return to their land, the people were facing spiritual and moral decline. There was widespread disillusionment, a lack of respect for God's covenant, and a resurgence of social injustices, including the mistreatment of the poor and the failure to tithe and offer sacrifices properly. Chapter 3, specifically, addresses the priests and the people for their corrupted worship and their disregard for God's laws. This verse emerges as God's direct response to their flawed practices and their questioning of His justice ("Where is the God of justice?").

Malachi 3 5 Word Analysis

• ואַגַּשְׁתִּי (wə’aggāšətî)

  • "and I will draw near" or "and I will approach"
  • Root: נָגַשׁ (nāgaš) - to approach, draw near, come near.
  • Significance: Indicates God's personal and direct involvement; not distant but actively coming to deal with the situation.

• אֲלֵיכֶם (’ălêḵêm)

  • "to you" (plural masculine)
  • Significance: Addresses the community directly, holding them corporately responsible.

• לְמִשְׁפָּט (ləmišpāṭ)

  • "for judgment"
  • Root: שָׁפַט (šāpaṭ) - to judge, to govern, to decide.
  • Significance: Sets the purpose of God's drawing near – not for fellowship but for a judicial proceeding, to rectify wrong.

• וְהָיִיתִי (wəhāyîtî)

  • "and I will be"
  • Significance: Introduces God's role as an active agent in the coming judgment.

• עֵד (ʿēḏ)

  • "a witness"
  • Root: עָדַד (ʿāḏaḏ) - to be a witness.
  • Significance: God will testify against them; His knowledge and perspective are authoritative.

• בָּעֵדִים (bāʿēḏîm)

  • "against witnesses" (plural form used with "witness," signifying strength or intensity). Alternatively interpreted as "swift witness."
  • Root: עֵד (ʿēḏ) - witness.
  • Significance: Reinforces the certainty of their condemnation, as God Himself is the witness, and perhaps implies He will bring forth other witnesses or be a formidable, unassailable witness.

• בַּמְנַאֲפִים (bamməna’ăpîm)

  • "against sorcerers"
  • Root: נָאַף (nā’ap̄) - to commit adultery; but in niphal participle form, "sorcerer," "enchanter," associated with deceptive practices, often linked to idolatry.
  • Significance: Highlights sins involving deceit, spiritual adultery (idolatry), or corrupting influences.

• וּבַמְקַסְּרִים (ūməkasseṟîm)

  • "and against adulterers"
  • Root: קָצַר (qāṣar) - to reap; but the verb in piel here (קִסֵּר qisseṟ) is linked to נָאַף (nā’ap̄) by form and association in ancient Aramaic/Syriac contexts, implying adultery. Another understanding suggests roots related to "shortening" or "cutting off" as punishment.
  • Significance: Addresses sexual immorality and covenant betrayal.

• וּבַנִּשְׁבָּעִים (ūṉišbāʿîm)

  • "and against those who swear falsely"
  • Root: שָׁבַע (šāḇaʿ) - to swear, to make an oath.
  • Significance: Denounces dishonesty and breaches of solemn vows.

• לְשֶׁקֶר (ləšeqeṟ)

  • "falsely" or "in a lie."
  • Root: שֶׁקֶר (šeqeṟ) - falsehood, lie, deception.
  • Significance: Modifies "swear," emphasizing the insincerity and deception in their oaths, particularly concerning wages.

• וּבְעֹשֵׁק (ūṉəʿōšēq)

  • "and against the oppressor"
  • Root: עָשַׁק (ʿāšáq) - to oppress, to defraud, to wrong.
  • Significance: Targets those who unjustly burden or exploit others.

• שָׂכִיר (śāḵîr)

  • "the hired laborer" or "the wage earner."
  • Root: שָׂכַר (śāḵar) - to hire, to work for wages.
  • Significance: Specific category of vulnerable people being exploited.

• בְּחֶבְלִי (bəḥeḇlî)

  • "his wages" or "his hire." The noun חֶבֶל (ḥeḇel) can mean "rope," "cord," "pain," but in contexts related to wages, it signifies "pay" or "reward for work."
  • Significance: Directly refers to the wages owed to workers.

• בְּאֹתֹת (bə’ōtōṯ)

  • "his hire." Again, another term for payment or wages.
  • Root: אוֹת (’ōṯ) - sign, mark; here possibly signifying a definite allotment or portion of payment.
  • Significance: Reinforces the idea of earned compensation that is being withheld.

• וְאֵין (wə’êîn)

  • "and there is no"
  • Significance: Indicates absence, lack of justice or relief for the oppressed.

• פּוֹחֵד (pōḥêḏ)

  • "fears"
  • Root: פָּחַד (pāḥaḏ) - to be afraid, to fear, to tremble.
  • Significance: The oppressors do not fear God, their ultimate judge, nor the consequences of their actions.

• אָמַר (’āmar)

  • "says"
  • Significance: The culmination of their actions leads to a specific statement attributed to them in the previous verse.

• יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת (Yəhwâ ṣəḇā’ōṯ)

  • "the LORD of Hosts"
  • Significance: God's title as the supreme commander of heavenly armies underscores His power and authority to execute judgment.

Malachi 3 5 Bonus Section

The severity of withholding wages is emphasized by the plural forms used for wages ("his wages" and "his hire") possibly suggesting the totality of what is owed. The term "Lord of Hosts" highlights that this is not a mere human decree but an assertion of divine authority and power, mobilizing the cosmic armies to support His justice. This passage demonstrates God’s deep concern for the vulnerable and oppressed, making economic justice a critical aspect of His covenantal expectations. The verse serves as a stark warning to all who engage in systemic or individual acts of oppression and exploitation, reminding them that God sees all and will hold them accountable. It also provides assurance to the oppressed that their cries do not go unheard.

Malachi 3 5 Commentary

This verse reveals God's imminent judgment, specifically targeting those who have shown a blatant disregard for justice and His authority. The declaration "I will draw near to you for judgment" signifies God’s direct involvement in penalizing the wicked. He presents Himself as an accurate and severe witness against the corrupt (sorcerers, adulterers, false swearers) and particularly against those who unjustly withhold wages from their hired laborers. This act of oppressing the poor and exploiting their honest labor is not a minor sin but a grave offense in God’s eyes, prompting His swift intervention. The fear that is missing from the oppressors ("the LORD of Hosts declares") is the reverential awe of God, which, if present, would restrain them from such exploitative and unrighteous actions. The Lord of Hosts asserts His power and intent to correct these wrongs decisively.