2
The Degeneracy of the Priesthood
1. A reminder to the priests that they are to blame for the laxity
denounced in Malachi 1:13; Malachi 1:14. They are responsible for the
offering of fit victims, which in some cases it was their duty to
provide.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL CORRUPT YOUR SEED] RV 'I will rebuke the seed for your sake';
but the threat of a curse on the _crops_ does not appear to be
specially applicable to the _priests_. A very slight change in the
Heb. which has been suggested, gives the admirable sense, 'I will cut
off your arm' (cp. 1 Samuel 2:3... [ Continue Reading ]
YE HAVE CAUSED MANY TO STUMBLE] i.e. by giving unjust decisions the
priests have brought many to ruin. With the charge of partiality in
Malachi 2:9 contrast the ideal of Deuteronomy 33:9, where it is
represented as a priest's duty to give his decisions without regard to
his nearest relatives: cp. Ma... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MASTER AND THE SCHOLAR] RV 'him that waketh and him that
answereth.' A very slight change in the Hebrew gives the better
antithesis, 'plaintiff and defendant;' two opposites being frequently
used in Hebrew to denote all. Cp. 'going out and coming in,' etc.
TABERNACLES] better, 'homes.'... [ Continue Reading ]
INSOMUCH THAT HE REGARDETH] better, 'because he regardeth.' The people
are regarded as covering the altar with their tears in the intensity
of their desire for the favours He is withholding.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WIFE OF THY YOUTH] i.e. the wife married in youth. The evil here
denounced is the divorce of an old wife in favour of a younger woman.
THE WIFE OF THY COVENANT] The thought that there is a solemn compact
between husband and wife is stated definitely here only in the OT; but
it is the natural inf... [ Continue Reading ]
PUTTING AWAY] i.e. divorce. COVERETH VIOLENCE WITH HIS GARMENT] The
reference is probably to the illtreatment of the wife; but the Hebrew
is obscure.
17. An address to those who are losing faith, through their inability
to solve the riddle of the prosperity of the ungodly: cp. Psalms 37,
73.... [ Continue Reading ]