Bible Commentary

Malachi 1:13

The Pulpit Commentary on Malachi 1:13

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

What a weariness is it! The reference is to the table of the Lord. Despising the altar, and performing their duties without heart or faith, the priests found the services an intolerable burden. Vulgate, ecce de labore, which seems to be an excuse of the people, urging that they offer such things as their toil and poverty allow.

Septuagint, ταῦτα ἐκ κακοπαθείας ἐστί, which has much the same meaning. The present Hebrew text is represented by the Authorized Version. Ye have snuffed at it; i.e. at the altar. The phrase expresses contempt.

"It" has been supposed to be a "scribes' correction" for "me." The Septuagint and Syriac give, "I snorted at them." That which was torn; rather, that which was taken by violence—that which was stolen or unjustly taken.

Septuagint, ἁρπάγματα: Ecclesiasticus 34:18 (31:21), "He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous ( μεμωκημένη)" Lame... sick (see Le 22:19-25). Thus ye brought an (bring the) offering (minchah).

Subject to analogous defects is even your meat offering, the accessory to other sacrifices, and therefore it is unacceptable.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Malachi 1:1-14EXPOSITION Verse 1:1-2:9 Part I. REPROOF OF THE PRIESTS FOR NEGLECT OF DIVINE SERVICE.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Malachi 1:6-14We may each charge upon ourselves what is here charged upon the priests. Our relation to God, as our Father and Master, strongly obliges us to fear and honour him. But they were so scornful that they derided reproof. Si…Matthew HenrycommentaryGod's Remonstrance with the Priests; Judgment of Wicked Priests. (b. c. 400.)GOD'S REMONSTRANCE WITH THE PRIESTS; JUDGMENT OF WICKED PRIESTS. (B. C. 400.) The prophet is here, by a special commission, calling the priests to account, though they were themselves appointed judges, to call the peopl…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Malachi 1:6-14§ 3. Israel had shown no gratitude for all these proofs of God's love, and the very priests had been the chief offenders by offering defective sacrifices, and profaning the temple worship.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Malachi 1:10-14Wrong worship. "Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for naught?" etc. The subject of these words is wrong worship, and they suggest the following remarks. I. THAT WRONG WORSHIP IS WORSE THAN NO WORSHIP…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Malachi 1:13Religion a weariness. "Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it!" It is clearly a bad sign when the people find the worship of God to be a weariness; but it is a much worse sign when the ministers of religion both f…Joseph S. Exell and contributors