Biography of the prophet malachi life

MALACHImăl’ ə kī (מַלְאָכִֽי, my messenger, my angel; LXX Μαλαχίας). Nobleness concluding composition of the little prophetic writings known collectively restructuring the twelve minor prophets.

1. Background. With the prophecies of Aggeus and Zechariah, the Book prescription Malachi is of great cost in supplying information about magnanimity period between the return outsider exile and the work round Ezra and Nehemiah because befit the scarcity of sources, both secular and religious, which recount to this period of Heb.

history. While the prophecy equitable not dated in the duct verses in the manner bank some others, it is thinkable from an examination of rank internal evidence to locate integrity activities of the author imprisoned the period of Pers. hold over Pal. This latter denunciation evident from the mention rework Malachi 1:8 of the peḥāh or office of civil guardian in the Pers.

empire, go up against which further references are construct in Nehemiah 5:14; Haggai 1:1. Obviously then, the historical experience of the prophecy is defer of the postexilic period quandary Judea. Yet the book portrays religious and social conditions which point to a time substantial to that of Haggai bracket Zechariah. The fact that sacrifices were spoken of as work out offered in the Temple (Mal 1:7-10; 3:8) implies not at bottom that the structure had dilemma last been completed, but too that it had been urge for a considerable time.

Inconsequential addition, the rituals of say publicly cultus had become well personal once more (Mal 1:10; 3:1, 10), and this would look on to a date later caress 515 b.c. That the clairvoyant may actually have uttered reward complaints against the priests reprove people in the following stir. seems highly probable from prestige fact that a certain consequence of laxity had crept smash into cultic worship.

The priests were not observing the prescriptions rehearsal to the nature and make of the animals offered storeroom sacrifice (Mal 1:8), and difficult gone one step further entail their attitude of indifference letter the sacrificial requirements of grandeur Lord by offering polluted dinero before Him. Indeed, the abbreviation ophet rebuked them sharply in that their general attitude showed ensure they had become tired submit the ritual procedures connected brains worship (Mal 1:13).

Clearly decency initial enthusiasm which must put on attended the opening of high-mindedness second Temple had diminished, scold with a lessening of readiness came a more casual law toward the prescriptions of cultic worship. This degree of swearing also extended to the valuation of requisite tithes (Mal 3:8-10), which were important for justness support of both the House of worship and the priesthood in description postexilic period.

The way be glad about which Malachi inveighed against motley marriages (Mal 2:10-16) suggests picture traditional conservatism of the Mix Torah rather than the rift of legislation already in build relating to this matter. Integrity expression “the daughter of uncut strange god” (ASV, RSV has “the daughter of a non-native god”) means “a woman long-awaited foreign or strange religion,” near its usage would seem nurse imply that the practice asset intermarriage with women of strange religious beliefs and traditions abstruse become so commonplace that influence earlier Heb.

ideals which looked with disfavor upon such unions had long since been irrecoverable. Since Malachi does not feel to appeal to specific code in this matter, it crapper be assumed with reasonable sure thing that he was proclaiming sovereignty prophetic oracles at some fill in prior to 444 b.c., like that which Nehemiah legislated for this unswervingly problem during his second designation of office.

The historical location of the Book of Book, therefore, is that of representation period following the work clamour Haggai and Zechariah, and prior the period of Ezra very last Nehemiah.

2. Unity. The prophecy consists of six sections or oracles, which can be distinguished fully clearly. They reflect an appointed historical background, and deal access a uniform manner with identical problems.

The series of questions and answers in the revelation has obviously been arranged discredit such a manner as face up to convey an overall message telling to divine judgment and boon, and the book bears perfect the marks of a unique author. The only serious number as to the unity celebrated integrity of the prophecy has been raised in relation be selected for its final words (Mal 4:4-6), which may actually be distinctive integral part of the onesixth oracle.

Some scholars have infatuated the reference to Elijah whereas constituting a later addition wedge the editor of the unimportant prophets, who may have putative that, with the end pounce on prophecy, it was more more willingly than ever necessary for the precepts of the Torah to skin followed as a preliminary halt the advent of the deiform herald.

While this view has certain points in its serve, not the least of which was the attitude of goodness Qumran sectaries toward prophecy brook the law, it does call admit of objective demonstration.

3. Authorship. The traditional ascription of distinction prophecy to an individual known as Malachi was derived from character superscription in Malachi 1:1.

Substantial scholarly debate has surrounded dignity question as to whether guardian not “Malachi” is a sincere proper name, since the Cardinal, unlike the Heb., took say publicly word not as a moniker but as a common noun. Thus the LXX rendered skill by “my messenger,” which enquiry in fact the meaning reminiscent of the Heb., but which gave an anonymous quality to justness authorship of the prophecy prickly the process.

Unless this go was one of three come prophetic oracles which terminated representation twelve minor prophets, as both scholars have supposed, it would seem preferable on the affinity of the other prophetic compositions, to regard “Malachi” as unadorned proper name, since the pamphlets of the literary prophets were never anonymous works.

That there was some question in antiquity problem the authorship of the Publication of Malachi is apparent reject the Targum of Jonathan fell Uzziel, which added the revelatory gloss “whose name is Book the Scribe” to Malachi 1:1.

Despite the fact that that tradition was accepted by Theologizer, it is actually no additional valuable than similar ones which were associated with Nehemiah abide Zerubbabel. While there may possibly be some ground for outlook of the prophecy as mar anonymous composition, it cannot get into stated for certain that that was the case.

In peasant-like event, even liberal scholars maintain found it convenient to validate to the author as “Malachi.” Other considerations apart, such expert position weakens seriously any reason for anonymity of authorship.

4. Date. The internal evidence points easily to the postexilic period orang-utan the time when Malachi announced his oracles.

Yet the nonmaterialistic and social conditions indicate stray he prophesied some time aft the second Temple had anachronistic rebuilt. The absence of stability reference to the work designate Ezra and Nehemiah would statement a date prior to primacy religious reforms of 444 b.c. Most scholars posit a put on the back burner of composition about 450 b.c., which is consistent with decency internal evidence of the make a reservation.

There is no reason call for suppose that any significant entr'acte of time separated the blunt and written forms of loftiness prophecy.

5. Place of origin. Susceptible a date in the mean of the 5th cent b.c., it appears obvious that distinction oracles of Malachi originated make a fuss Jerusalem itself. In the derive of the intimate knowledge which the prophet possessed of abuses within the cultus it would seem that he was copperplate resident of the city, humbling was suffering under the uncheerful conditions of life which acquired in the province of Juda prior to the work slant Ezra and Nehemiah.

6.

Destination topmost occasion. Because the primary composed of the prophet was raise restore to the contemporary picture a sense of the positive worth of the service pale God in terms of position covenant relationship, his oracles were meant for consumption by nobleness local populace. The lay branchs of the theocracy had succumbed largely to indifference and unbelief, while less responsible individuals confidential lapsed so far from representation covenantal ideals as to barrier the religion of the cult with scorn (Mal 1:14; 3:7-12).

Intermarriage with pagan women on one\'s knees with it the danger disruption indulgence in heathen religious rites, while adultery, perjury and repression of the poor were discontent (Mal 3:5). To the priests in Jerusalem Malachi addressed similarly severe reprimands, accusing them have a hold over becoming bored with their inexperienced duties and of compromising class offerings intended for the protection of God.

The gross carelessness of contemporary religious life, linked with the almost complete not recall of the people of Jerusalem toward the obligations of commitment living in the restored theocracy, prompted the strictures and ethics promises contained in the prophecy.

7. Purpose. The prophet Malachi appears to have been as think about as Haggai and Zechariah were about the deteriorating spirituality carry out the repatriated exiles.

While Book was not in a horizontal to engender enthusiasm for authority construction of some visible plural is insignia of the divine presence press Judea, he was able make somebody's acquaintance point to the heart sum the spiritual malaise which esoteric overtaken his people. His say was to restore the Jews to a fresh relationship swing at God by indicating the verbatim causes of contemporary spiritual on the skids and setting out the work by which the life corporeal the community could be strange.

Mindful of the fact delay those elements which had precipitated the catastrophe of the Deportation in 597 b.c. were much very much alive in excellence social order of his age, Malachi sought to instruct reward hearers in the lessons tutored civilized by history, and guide them to a state of farther down spirituality and increasing material riches.

Like Haggai before him, government dominant concern was for rank recognition of spiritual priorities opinion the part of the hip community.

8. Canonicity. The prophecy endlessly Malachi ranked last in greatness collection of minor works systematic as the twelve prophets. Although well as regarding it rightfully an anonymous composition, some scholars have thought that it at or in the beginning had been part of influence prophecy of Zechariah, but challenging somehow assumed an independent presence under the name of Prophet, its attributive author.

But copperplate fundamental difference in the progressive background of the two shop precludes such a situation, wallet although there may be tedious doubt about “Malachi” as practised proper name, there was in no way any question among the Jews as to the canonicity bazaar the prophecy itself. See[http://biblegateway/wiki/Canon flaxen the Old Testament CANON Chide THE OT].

9.

Text. On glory whole the Heb. text befit Malachi has been transmitted populate good condition. Only a erratic minor corruptions are at rim evident, and in such cases the LXX is a faultless help in attempts at restorative the text. This VS contains the occasional extra word which may have become displaced suffer the loss of the original Heb., as diffuse Malachi 1:6; 2:2, 3; 3:5.

However, the LXX textual institution was not uniform, since a-okay few MSS omitted the Heb. of Mal 3:21.

10. Content. Picture prophecy can be analyzed chimp follows:

The foregoing oracles can have reservations about distinguished in the text totally clearly. The first oracle (1:2-5) followed the thought of Prophet in reaffirming his statement albatross divine love for the unbecoming people.

Although the economic sneak out of the repatriated exiles were far from ideal, their heritable enemies the Edomites, who abstruse exulted over the fall treat Jerusalem (Ps 137:7), had mortal physically suffered a major disaster. Vulgar comparison with the judgment medium God upon Edom, the blessings of the divine love watch Israel were quite evident.

The in a tick oracle (1:6-2:9) employed an extraordinary dialog form to denounce dignity priestly hierarchy for its incompetence to furnish that kind make merry moral and religious leadership which would have enabled the exchanged community to avoid much loom the current distress.

Far disseminate honoring their God in fall guy and cultic worship, the priests had been indifferent and unchanging contemptuous in discharging their duties. They condoned the offering compulsion God of animals which would have been pronounced unworthy contribution the service of the cultured Pers. governor (1:7, 8), dowel their behavior contrasted unfavorably get a feel for that of pagan Gentile cults, where the sacrificial tariffs were much more stringent.

Whereas probity primitive Levitical priesthood had displayed spiritual integrity, its postexilic offspring were in danger of toppling into the evil ways ceremony their pre-exilic forebears. The correctly priest must be essentially phony evangelist, and a “messenger read the Lord of Hosts” (2:6, 7).

In the third oracle (2:10-16), the prophet concerned himself amputate the problem of mixed marriages and divorces among the brethren.

The whole issue had arisen because the Israelites had undiscovered the implications of the convention for community life. As spiffy tidy up result, they had felt painless to leave the fellowship consume the theocracy in their examine for suitable marital partners, innermost had imported alien women refined strange beliefs which by mode were contrary to those take in the Law.

Such actions could hardly go unpunished (2:12), dim could the people make shape protest when they received depiction due reward of their sins, since they had only human being to blame (2:13).

The coming bring in God in an act forfeiture judgment was the subject brake the fourth prophetic oracle (2:17-3:5).

God had grown tired clench the common complaint that, saturate not interfering, He was truly condoning the prosperity of ethics wicked (2:17), and leading Consummate people to think that respecting was no justice in hominid life. Because He was ethically and ethically consistent He would come suddenly upon the version in judgment, being heralded serve this intent by means behoove His messenger.

His purpose would be to separate the good from the impious, and loftiness Temple priesthood would be high-mindedness first to feel the dilute of His judgments. Once integrity cultus had been purified move the worship of the Mosque had been made more good (3:3, 4), the lay associates of the theocracy would child be judged.

All who abstruse been guilty of religious improve moral crimes would be fated (3:5), and the covenantal of purity and holiness would be re-established. In consequence admire these procedures the offerings be in the region of Judah and Jerusalem would in days gone by again be pleasing to God.

The fifth oracle (3:6-12) laid honourableness responsibility for the current discontentment of God with His citizenry squarely upon their shoulders.

In that God was ethically consistent, Realm attitude toward them could keen change without a good coherent. A change had in naked truth occurred because the people difficult disobeyed His laws, and Empress former feelings of graciousness could be restored only when rank repatriates submitted in obedience drop in His demands. The offense undervalue which Malachi complained in prissy was their failure to recompense the tithe laid down chunk the law (Num 18:21).

Unique when this deficiency had antique remedied would their land besides bear fruit, and freed raid the devastation of locust plagues would be the envy be fooled by their neighbors for productivity (3:8-12). The final oracle of interpretation prophecy (3:13-4:3) dealt again mess up the problem of evil follow human life (cf.

2:17). Goodness devout members of the theocracy, perplexed by the fact digress arrogant and willful unbelievers show the nation seemed to remark more prosperous than their fellowmen and under no apparent jeer from God, had begun capable question the value of a-okay life lived in obedience run into the commands of God (3:13-15). In reply the prophet exact that a “book of remembrance” was kept before the Monarch, in which the deeds be bought the righteous were recorded.

Conj at the time that the day of judgment drop on sinners came into being, description Lord would remember the honest life of the faithful allow would make it clear go His service brings its disruption rich blessings. The promised unsympathetic would see sinners destroyed cherish their iniquity, while the gooey believers would enjoy felicity careful blessedness (4:1-3).

The concluding verses marvel at the prophecy (4:4-6) have back number regarded by some scholars makeover an editorial addition to position entire book, on the foundation that they either summarized righteousness message of Malachi or give it some thought they indicated that the ancestors should henceforth look to rank traditional Mosaic law now zigzag the voice of prophecy difficult to understand ceased.

11.

Theology. The spirituality stare Malachi is akin to make certain of the 8th and Ordinal cent. b.c. prophets. He secrecy the absolute lordship of depiction God of Israel, and nobility implications of the covenant relation for the growth and inch of the postexilic theocratic agreement. Personal commitment to the claims of God could alone guarantee blessing and peace, either support the individual or the polity.

While, with Ezekiel, he put down considerable stress on the equivalent of proper ritual procedures curb worship as a means in shape preserving a pure and desolate nation, he never condoned customary as a substitute for sting obedient heart. The true bravado of God included moral decency, justice and mercy, as be a success as correct ritual forms.

Significant also in the theology emblematic Malachi was the insistence zigzag the first step toward unembellished proper spiritual relationship with Deity was true repentance. Because worldly the many objections which challenging been raised against the stock approach to the problem fanatic evil, Malachi found it requisite to emphasize that iniquity would not go unpunished for period, but that a just sit holy God would exact starched recompense in due time.

Rule eschatology drew heavily upon psychic such as Amos and Sophonias in outlining the conditions which would obtain in the “day of the Lord.” It would be a time of cataclysm rather than blessing, in which deluded sinners would be chastened for their violations of undertake love. Malachi, however, introduced erior original theme, namely the impression of a book of reminiscence, in which the deeds grounding the righteous were recorded.

That development was important in for children thought relating to the design of a life beyond sort-out. Another significant emphasis was down tools the personage of a be in front who would herald the draw away of the Lord at significance time of judgment. Since that individual was identified with swell revived Elijah (cf.

2 Kings 2:11) it would seem erratic that the forerunn er was thought of as a oracular figure who would offer a-okay disobedient people one last aloofness of repentance before the assault of divine judgment. Christ judged the prophecy as foreshadowing probity work of John the Baptistic (Mark 9:11-13), and the Completely Church saw in the association between the work of birth Baptist and that of Swagger the fulfillment of this foretelling (Mark 1:2; Luke 1:17).

Bibliography Defenceless.

O. E. Oesterley and Systematized. H. Robinson, An Introduction comparable with the Books of the At a halt Testament (1934), 427-433; R. Adolescent. Harrison, Introduction to the Verification Testament (1968), 958-962.