A specific curse addresses the priests: if they refuse to give glory to the LORD's name, He will curse their blessings and spread dung upon their faces, for they have corrupted the covenant of Levi which was meant to be life, peace, and faithful teaching that turned many from iniquity. The oracle broadens to Judah's treachery in marrying the daughters of foreign gods while divorcing the wives of their youth—covenant companions whom the LORD hates seeing put away. The chapter closes with the wearying complaint that those doing evil are good in the LORD's sight, prompting the question 'Where is the God of judgment?'
Read Malachi Chapter 2 Summary
Original
Characters in This Chapter
Places in This Chapter
Position in Book
God's Love QuestionedChapters 1:1-5
God affirms His love for Israel despite their doubts.
Corrupt WorshipChapters 1:6-2:9
Priests offering defective sacrifices; unfaithful to their calling.
Marriage FaithlessnessChapters 2:10-16
God hates divorce; marrying foreign women breaks covenant.
Coming JudgmentChapters 2:17-4:6
The messenger, refining fire, tithing, and Elijah's return.
Bible Bites
The prophet whose name means his job
Malachi means 'my messenger' in Hebrew, perfectly fitting his role as God's final Old Testament prophet. As the last book before 400 years of prophetic silence, Malachi closes with a promise that Elijah will return before the great day of the LORD.
Malachi 1:1