What is the purpose of Malachi?
The Book of Malachi was written to correct the lax religious and social behaviour of the Israelites – particularly the priests – in post-exilic Jerusalem.
What happened to Malachi?
Malachi is banished from the Cheyenne Reservation by Henry Standing Bear and Jacob Nighthorse and is forced to sign The Red Pony back over to it's previous owner.
What is the summary of the Book of Malachi?
The book of Malachi sums up what the whole Hebrew Bible has been pointing to—God's people cannot be faithful to the covenant. They've failed again and again. And while God will deal with their sin, he will not abandon them. He promises to redeem a remnant and send a Messiah to fulfill his covenant promises.
What happened to Israel after Malachi?
Exile and Bondage: The Price of Disobedience Jerusalem finally fell in 587 B.C., and the exiled Jews were forced out of their destroyed homeland (see Psalm 137:1). A few people remained in and around Jerusalem—including the Samaritans, who eventually intermarried with non-Israelites (see Jeremiah 40:7, 11–12).
When was Malachi alive?
Opinions vary as to the prophet's exact date, but nearly all scholars agree that Malachi prophesied during the Persian period, and after the reconstruction and dedication of the Second Temple in 516 BC. More specifically, Malachi probably lived and labored during the times of Ezra and Nehemiah.
What does the name Malachi mean in the Bible?
Malachi is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "messenger of God." It is a biblical name associated with the religious prophet and author of the Book of Malachi in the Old Testament. Malachi is also a variant of Malachy and shares its name with the first Irishman to be canonized in the Roman Catholic Church.
What is the meaning of the name Malachi?
Malachi is a Hebrew name for a prophet in the Old Testament of the Bible. It means "messenger of God" and may not have been a proper name at all – just a word for a prophet. In the Bible, Malachi wrote about the coming of a messiah. The name is particularly popular in English-, Gaelic-, and Hebrew-speaking countries.
What is the context of Malachi 3?
Malachi prophesied concerning the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Lord commanded the Jews to return to Him by paying their tithes and offerings. He assured the righteous that their efforts to serve Him would be rewarded and that when He returned to earth, they would be His.
Why was Malachi the prophet sent?
Malachi the prophet was sent to assure his people that God still loved them, but He demanded honor, respect and faithfulness from them. God gave the people a warning that judgment would come to purge them of their sins unless they repented.
What prophecies did Malachi make?
Malachi’s prophecies of God’s judgment were accompanied by appeals for the people to be faithful and obedient: “Return to Me, and I will return to you” (Malachi 3:7). God does not change in His desire for humankind to seek Him while He may be found (Malachi 3:6; Isaiah 55:6-7).
What is the book of Malachi?
Malachi the prophet delivered a message to the ancient people of God. For our day, his book includes a prophecy of warning and of another messenger to come. God said, “Return to Me, and I will return to you” (Malachi 3:7). The book of Malachi is placed as the last book of the Prophets section, which also makes it the last book in ...
What does Malachi 3:1 mean?
Malachi 3:1 states, “Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant.”. This passage predicts the coming of John the Baptist (“My messenger”) and Jesus Christ (“the Messenger of the covenant”).
What were the spiritual and moral shortcomings of the priests and common people alike?
Malachi revealed the spiritual and moral shortcomings of the priests and common people alike. Tithing was being neglected ( Malachi 3:7-10 ); divorce had become commonplace; and there were mixed marriages with pagan peoples. These were serious problems (Malachi 2:10-16).
What were the moral and spiritual laxities of Malachi?
Moral and spiritual laxity, pride, indifference, permissiveness and skepticism were growing. Only by a nationwide, heartfelt repentance would the blessings of God be restored again. Malachi pleaded with his countrymen to humble themselves in prayer. Only by a nationwide, heartfelt repentance would the blessings of God be restored again.
What is Malachi's promise?
In the closing words of his message, Malachi shares God’s promise: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse [utter destruction]” (Malachi 4:5-6).
What do we know about Malachi?
What we do know about Malachi is the time during which he lived. The book that bears his name makes several historical and cultural references that can be traced to a specific time period in biblical history, even if not to a specific year. For instance: 1 The practice of making sacrifices in the Temple at Jerusalem had been reinstated ( Malachi 1:7-10, 3:8 ). 2 The Jews of Jerusalem at that time were living under a Persian governor ( Malachi 1:8 ). 3 Intermarriage with non-Jews was commonplace, even though it had been explicitly forbidden by Mosaic Law ( Malachi 2:10-12 ). 4 Religious observance by temple priests was lax at best, with standards far below what God had required ( Malachi 1:7 ). 5 The practice of tithing into the temple treasury was routinely neglected ( Malachi 3:8-10 ).
What has kept Malachi relevant throughout the Christian era?
What has kept Malachi relevant throughout the Christian era is this simple statement he made in Malachi 3:1: “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me…”
How many times is Malachi mentioned in the Bible?
In the entire Bible, the prophet Malachi is mentioned by name only once: in the first line of the slim Old Testament book that bears his name ( Malachi 1:1 ). In spite of this, his words are either quoted directly, or alluded to, at least 15 times in our New Testament.
What does the name Malachi mean?
What’s interesting is that the name “Malachi” likely isn’t really a name as we might assume it to be. Malachi is a Hebrew term that means “my messenger,” which is an oddly self-referential designation for one who claims to speak an oracle of God.
Why was Malachi anonymous?
Regardless of whether Malachi was the prophet’s personal name or not, he may as well have been anonymous because the man himself is still mostly a mystery to us.
What is the message of Malachi?
There are two broad messages covered in the book of Malachi: 1. Israel must remember and observe Old Testament law, and. 2. Israel must remember and take hope in the coming Messiah.
When did Malachi preach?
From these clues and the similarity of themes in the books of Nehemiah and Ezra, it’s commonly accepted that this preaching of Malachi occurred in Jerusalem sometime around 450 B.C. This was after Hebrew exiles had been allowed to return home from captivity in Babylon, and about 65 years (a generation or so) after the temple had been rebuilt in Jerusalem. As such, it’s actually possible that Malachi knew Nehemiah and/or Ezra because he lived in Jerusalem during the same period they did. One Aramaic translation of the book of Malachi even suggests that Ezra could have been the anonymous author of this book of prophesy. But I digress.
Who is Malachi in the Bible?
Malachi, Malachias, Malache or Mal'achi ( / ˈmæləkaɪ / ( listen); Hebrew: מַלְאָכִי, Modern: Malaḵi, Tiberian: Malʾāḵī, "Messenger", see malakh) was the traditional writer of the Book of Malachi, the last book of the Neviim (Prophets) section in the Hebrew Bible. According to the 1897 Easton's Bible Dictionary, ...
When did Malachi prophesy?
Opinions vary as to the prophet's exact date, but nearly all scholars agree that Malachi prophesied during the Persian period, and after the reconstruction and dedication of the second temple in 516 BC (compare Malachi 1:10; Malachi 3:1, Malachi 3:10 ). The prophet speaks of the "people's governor" (Hebrew "pechah", Malachi 1:8 ), as do Haggai and Nehemiah ( Haggai 1:1; Nehemiah 5:14; Nehemiah 12:26 ). The social conditions portrayed appear to be those of the period of the Restoration. More specifically, Malachi probably lived and labored during the times of Ezra and Nehemiah. The abuses which Malachi mentions in his writings correspond so exactly with those which Nehemiah found on his second visit to Jerusalem in 432 BC ( Nehemiah 13:7) that it seems reasonably certain that he prophesied concurrently with Nehemiah or shortly after.
What is Malachi's name in the Bible?
Because the name Malachi does not occur elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, some scholars doubt whether it is intended to be the personal name of the prophet. The form mal'akhi (literally "my malakh ") signifies "my messenger"; it occurs in Malachi 3:1 (compare to Malachi 2:7 ), but this form would hardly be appropriate as a proper name without some additional syllable such as Yah, whence mal'akhiah, i.e. "messenger of Yah". In the Book of Haggai, Haggai is designated the "messenger of the L ORD " ( Haggai 1:13 ). The non-canonical superscriptions prefixed to the book, in both the Septuagint and the Vulgate, warrant the supposition that Malachi's full name ended with the syllable -yah. The Septuagint translates the last clause of Malachi 1:1, "by the hand of his messenger", and the Targum reads, "by the hand of my angel, whose name is called Ezra the scribe ".
What does the word "mal'akhi" mean in the Bible?
None of the other prophetic books of the Hebrew Bible or the Greek Old Testament are anonymous. The form mal'akhi, signifies "my messenger"; it occurs in Malachi 3:1 (compare to Malachi 2:7 ).
Who was the author of the book of Malachi?
The Jews of his day ascribed the Book of Malachi to Ezra, but if Ezra's name was originally associated with the book, it would hardly have been dropped by the collectors of the prophetic canon who lived only a century or two after Ezra's time. Certain traditions ascribe the book to Zerubbabel and Nehemiah; others to Malachi, whom they designate as a Levite and a member of the Great Assembly. Certain modern scholars, however, on the basis of the similarity of the title (compare Malachi 1:1 to Zechariah 9:1 and Zechariah 12:1) declare it to be anonymous. G.G. Cameron suggests that the termination of the word "Malachi" is adjectival, and equivalent to the Latin angelicus, signifying "one charged with a message or mission" (a missionary). The term would thus be an official title, and the thought would not be unsuitable to one whose message closed the prophetical canon of the Old Testament.
Why is the Temple underfunded in Malachi?
Gunther Plaut, "Malachi describes a priesthood that is forgetful of its duties, a Temple that is underfunded because the people have lost interest in it, and a society in which Jewish men divorce their Jewish wives to marry out of the faith.".
Who was the last prophet to write the Book of Malachi?
The Jews of his day ascribed the Book of Malachi, the last book of prophecy, to Ezra, but if Ezra's name was originally associated with the book, it would hardly have been dropped by the collectors of the prophetic canon who lived only a century or two after Ezra's time.
Why does the prophet defend the justice of God?
With the aid of this unusual discussion technique, the prophet defends the justice of God to a community that had begun to doubt that justice because its eschatological (end of the world) expectations were still unfulfilled. The author calls for fidelity to Yahweh ’s covenant.
What is Gehenna in the Bible?
In some postbiblical Jewish writings, Gehenna, the incineration…. Hebrew Bible. Hebrew Bible, collection of writings that was first compiled and preserved as the sacred books of the Jewish people. It also constitutes a large portion of the Christian Bible. A brief treatment of the Hebrew Bible follows.
What is the book of Malachi?
The Book of Malachi, also called The Prophecy of Malachias, the last of 12 books of the Hebrew Bible ( Old Testament) that bear the names of the Minor Prophets, grouped together as the Twelve in the Jewish canon. The author is unknown; Malachi is merely a transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning “my messenger.”. Read More on This Topic.
What is the last book of the Old Testament?
The Book of Malachi, also called The Prophecy of Malachias, the last of 12 books of the Hebrew Bible ( Old Testament) ...
When was the Book of Malachi written?
The Book of Malachi, the last of the Twelve (Minor) Prophets, was written by an anonymous writer called Malachi, or “my messenger.” Perhaps written from about 500–450 bce, the book is concerned with spiritual degradation, religious perversions, social injustices, and unfaithfulness to the Covenant. Priests…
What does Malachi mean?
What’s in a name? Malachi means “My Messenger”
When was Malachi written?
The year is around 430 BC. The book of Malachi was written at a time of great frustration and disillusionment. Felt both by the Lord and the People of Israel.
What is the book of Malachi called?
The book of Malachi is written in quite a unique way called ‘didactic’ also known as ‘disputation’, ‘assertion –objection—rebuttal ‘ . The Lord through Malachi first makes an assertion to the people, an objection is then raised by the hearers, and finally a rebuttal or refutation is made by the speaker.
What was the challenge of the promised land?
The people on their return to the ‘Promised land’ were set a great challenge, to re-build a ruined country.
Where there is no vision, the people perish?
Proverbs 29:18 says ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.’
Who wrote the book of Malachi?
The writing of the book is therefore widely attributed to Ezra. To get a fuller picture of this period it is recommended that the books of Ezra and Nehemiah be read in full.
Who persuaded the people to repent?
Through the mouth of Malachi The Lord persuades at least some of the people to repentance and they even put their name in a book of remembrance (3;16)
What did Malachi tell the people of Judah?
Malachi then goes on to reveal to the people of Judah that God will judge his people before he deals with other nations. Malachi also explains to the people of Judah that they rob God when they don’t give him the proper tithes and offerings.
Why is Malachi considered a minor prophet?
Malachi is considered a minor prophet simply because there wasn’t a lot of information about his life printed in the Tanakh or the Bible. After the Israelites had been finally able to return home, they managed to rebuild the temple and to resettle Jerusalem.
What does Malachi say about the prophets?
Malachi closes out his prophetic messages in chapter 4 of the book by revealing to the people of Judah that God will ultimately deal harshly with the wicked, and the righteous will be spared judgment. He then says that the prophet Elijah will come back and preach before the coming Day of Judgment from the Lord.
What does Malachi 2:1 – 9 mean?
Malachi 2: 1 – 9 Malachi reveals how the people do not faithfully teach the law. Malachi 2: 10 – 16 Malachi expresses how God is against their intermarriages to foreign women and how he hates them divorcing their wives. Malachi 3: 6 – 12 Malachi exposes how some of the Jewish people were trying to rob God by not paying tithing correctly.
When did Malachi appear in the Bible?
Malachi, Bible Prophet. The life of the Jewish prophet Malachi is shrouded in mystery and silence. Malachi prophesied sometime between 445 BC and 425 B.C to the people of Jerusalem which is where he appears on the Bible Timeline Poster. There isn’t any known reliable source outside Tanakh or the Bible that explains his background ...
Who was the last prophet to preach before the coming day of judgment?
He then says that the prophet Elijah will come back and preach before the coming Day of Judgment from the Lord. In the Torah and the Bible Malachi is considered the last prophet that God used to warn the people about their sins. Christians believe that the period between Malachi and Jesus Christ was used to prepare the world for his arrival.
What was the first joy of the people when they first arrived home?
At first there was great joy and enthusiasm when they first arrived home but they soon became discouraged. The people were glad to be back in their homeland once again, but they wanted to be free from Persian rule and to have a great kingdom like they did in the days of kings David and Solomon.
What is the purpose of Malachi?
Purpose of Writing: The Book of Malachi is an oracle: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi (1:1) . This was God’s warning through Malachi to tell the people to turn back to God. As the final book of the Old Testament closes, the pronouncement of God’s justice and the promise of His restoration through the coming Messiah is ringing in ...
Who wrote the words of the Lord to God's chosen people who had gone astray?
Brief Summary: Malachi wrote the words of the Lord to God’s chosen people who had gone astray, especially the priests who had turned from the Lord. Priests were not treating the sacrifices they were to make to God seriously.
Does God want divorce broken?
He will repay those who disregard Him. As for God hating divorce (2:16), God takes the covenant of marriage seriously and He does not want it broken. We are to stay true to the spouse of our youth for a lifetime. God sees our hearts, so He knows what our intentions are; nothing can be hidden from Him.
