Malachi 3:8 kjv
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Malachi 3:8 nkjv
"Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings.
Malachi 3:8 niv
"Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?' "In tithes and offerings.
Malachi 3:8 esv
Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions.
Malachi 3:8 nlt
"Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! "But you ask, 'What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?' "You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.
Malachi 3 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Malachi 3:8 | Will man rob God? Yet you rob me. In tithes and contributions. | Tithe and offering requirement |
| Malachi 3:9 | You are cursed with a curse, for you rob me, even this whole nation. | Consequences of withholding |
| Malachi 3:10 | Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse... and test me in this. | Divine invitation to test |
| Malachi 3:11 | I will rebuke the devourer for you... | God's protective provision |
| Deuteronomy 28:15-19 | Curses for disobedience | Covenant curses |
| Leviticus 27:30-32 | All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD's. | Tithe ownership |
| 2 Corinthians 9:6 | Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. | Principle of sowing and reaping |
| Proverbs 11:24 | One gives freely, yet grows more. | Generosity and prosperity |
| Haggai 1:9 | You looked for much, but see it came to little. | Scarcity due to neglect |
| Nehemiah 13:10-14 | Nehemiah restored proper support for Levites and Temple | Historical example of reform |
| Numbers 18:21-24 | Tithes given to Levites for their service | Tithe's purpose |
| Luke 11:42 | Woe to you Pharisees! You give a tenth of mint and rue and every kind of herb, but neglect justice and the love of God. | Religious obligation vs. heart |
| Matthew 23:23 | Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. | Focus on external vs. internal |
| Genesis 14:18-20 | Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek | Early precedent of tithing |
| Hebrews 7:1-10 | Melchizedek as a priestly figure greater than Levi | New Testament interpretation |
| Malachi 1:6-14 | Rejection of blemished offerings | Defective worship |
| Psalm 50:10-12 | All the animals of the forest are mine | God's absolute ownership |
| Acts 4:34-35 | Early believers shared all they had | Radical community sharing |
| Romans 12:1 | Present your bodies as a living sacrifice | Spiritual worship |
| 1 Corinthians 16:2 | On the first day of the week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up... | Pattern of regular giving |
Malachi 3 verses
Malachi 3 8 Meaning
Humanity robS God by withholding tithes and offerings. This withholding incurs curses. Restoration comes through bringing the full tithe to God's storehouse, enabling His blessing and provision to overflow.
Malachi 3 8 Context
Malachi prophesies to the people of Judah after their return from Babylonian exile. The nation faces spiritual apathy and economic hardship. The priests have become negligent, offering inferior sacrifices and disrespecting God's name. The people have turned from God's covenant, evident in their failure to uphold their responsibilities, including the mandatory tithes and offerings designated for the Temple and the Levites. This chapter directly addresses their disobedience and its consequences, calling them back to faithfulness and obedience.
Malachi 3 8 Word Analysis
- will (הַ֚יִתְּנוּ): Hiphil perfect, 3rd person masculine plural of (יתן) – to give. It’s an interrogative statement, essentially asking, "Can a man give?" implying the answer is yes, he can.
- man (אָדָם): (Adam) – human being, mankind, Adam. Refers to individuals in general, making the question universal.
- rob (יִגְזְל): Hiphil imperfect, 3rd person masculine singular of (גזל) – to snatch away, to plunder, to rob. It's an action of violent seizure or withholding.
- God (אֵל): (El) – God, a general term for deity, used here emphatically by the prophet to point to the Almighty Creator.
- Yet (כִּי): (Ki) – but, for, because. Introduces the contrasting reality of the people’s actions.
- you (אַתֶּם): (Atem) – plural pronoun "you." Directly addresses the community.
- rob (תִּגְזְל): Hiphil imperfect, 2nd person plural of (גזל) – to rob. Asserts that they (the community) are indeed the ones robbing God.
- me (אֹתִי): (Oti) – direct object pronoun "me." Emphasizes that the robbery is specifically against God Himself.
- in (בְּ): (Be) – in, at, with. Indicates the sphere or area where the robbery occurs.
- tithes (מַעְשֵׂר): (Ma'aser) – tithe, tenth part. A tenth of agricultural produce and livestock traditionally set aside for God’s service, specifically the Levites and the Temple.
- and (וּ): (Vav) – and. Connects tithes to contributions.
- contributions (בִּ֨מְנִגְבxbet): (Bimnegevbet) – from minsegbeb, meaning riches, spoil, offerings. Often understood as portions or revenues that belonged to God. The precise grammatical derivation of this word is debated, but its context points to offerings or possessions rightfully belonging to God that were withheld.
Malachi 3 8 Bonus Section
The concept of tithing, as indicated by "tithes and contributions," is rooted in the Old Testament Law, not introduced by Malachi. It was an established practice, a tenth of produce and increase, to support the Levitical priesthood and the Temple ministry (Numbers 18:21-26). The "storehouse" mentioned later in the chapter (verse 10) refers to designated places where these tithes were to be brought. The specific Hebrew term "minsegbeb" (contributions/riches) underscores that it wasn't just a fixed percentage but also that which was rightfully God's through rightful possession and blessing that they held back. This failure was so pervasive that Malachi states, "even this whole nation." It implies a widespread dereliction of duty, affecting individuals and the community as a whole, leading to curses and hindering the expected blessings of the covenant. This sets the stage for God's gracious invitation to repentance and restoration through renewed faithfulness.
Malachi 3 8 Commentary
The core accusation in this verse is spiritual theft. The prophet, speaking for God, confronts the people of Israel, who, despite being the covenant people, are failing in a fundamental act of worship and obedience: giving God what is His due. The use of the question "Will man rob God?" highlights the audacious nature of their behavior; it's almost unthinkable that humans would dare to rob the Creator of all things. Yet, God states, "Yet you rob me." This is not about petty theft but about the systemic withholding of the tithes and contributions mandated by God’s law. This failure has profound consequences, affecting both their relationship with God and their material prosperity. The act of robbing God is presented as a direct defiance of His sovereignty and a disregard for the sacred covenant, ultimately bringing a curse upon them.