Malachi 4:1-2a

Malachi 4:1-2a
Ordinary C51

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See,A the dayB is coming,C burningD like an oven,E

Notes on verse 1a

A “see” = hinneh. From hen (lo! Behold! If, though; an expression of surprise). This is to draw attention, show suddenness or surprise, or to emphasize the importance of the coming statement. See! Lo! Behold!
B “day” = yom. Root may mean being hot. This is the day in a literal or figurative sense. It can also mean birth, age, daylight, continually or other references to time.
C “coming” = bo. This is to enter, come in, advance, fulfill, bring offerings, enter to worship, attack. It can also have a sexual connotation.
D “burning” = ba’ar. This is to burn, consume, heat, remove. It can also be to consume by a fire or through eating, being brutish or wasting.
E “oven” = tannur. 15x in OT. From the same as tenuk (ear lobe, pinnacle, extremity); perhaps from the same as anak (plumb line, hook; root may mean to be narrow) OR from ner (properly, to glisten; a lamp, light, burner, candle; light literal or figurative). This is a portable stove, oven, or furnace.

whenF allG the arrogantH and all evildoersI will be stubble;J

Notes on verse 1b

F {untranslated} = hayah. This is to be or become, to happen.
G “all” = kol. From kalal (to complete). This is all or every.
H “arrogant” = zed. 13x in OT. From zud (to cook, boil up, or seethe; figuratively, it can mean to act with arrogance or insolence, to be rebellious). This is arrogant, proud, or presumptuous. It can also refer to an arrogant person.
I “evildoers” = asah + rishah. Literally, “those who do wickedly.” Asah is to make, do, act, appoint, become in many senses. Rishah is 15x in OT. From the same as rasha (morally wrong so it refers to someone who is actively bad as wicked, criminal, an evil person, offender, condemned, or ungodly); perhaps from rasha (to be wicked, guilty, make trouble, do wrong; can also be condemn, guilty, inflict punishment; this verb implies disturbing or violating). This is wickedness, wrong, or fault. It refers particularly to moral fault.
J “be stubble” = qash. 16x in OT. Perhaps from qashah (this is to gather stubble or forage for it, to gather, straw or wood; figuratively, to gather people, assemble). This is dry straw, chaff, stubble.

the day that comes shall burn them up,K says the LordL of hosts,M so that it will leaveN them neither rootO nor branch.P 

Notes on verse 1c

K “burn…up” = lahat. 11x in OT. This is to set on fire, burn, kindle, be ablaze, consume.
L “Lord” = YHVH. Related to {untranslated} in v1. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (see note F above). This is the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton. This pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place.
M “hosts” = tsaba. From tsaba (to wage war, serve, assemble, fight, perform, muster, wait on). This is a large group of persons (used figuratively for a group of things). It implies a campaign literally as with army, war, warfare, battle, company, soldiers. Can also be used figuratively for hardship or for worship.
N “leave” = azab. To loosen, relinquish, permit, forsake, fail, leave destitute.
O “root” = shoresh. Perhaps from sharash (to root into soil or uproot). This is a root, depth, line, heel, bottom. It is  root in a literal or figurative sense.
P “branch” = anaph. 7x in OT. This is a branch or bough – something that covers.

But for you who revereQ my nameR the sunS of righteousnessT shall rise,U

Notes on verse 2a

Q “revere” = yare. From the same as yare (to fear, be afraid, dreadful; also fearful reverence – to fear in a moral sense is to say to revere, respect). This is fearful or morally reverent.
R “name” = shem. May be from sum (to put, place, set). This is name, fame, renown. A name was thought to indicate something essential about a person – something about their individuality. So, this word can also mean honor, authority, or character.
S “sun” = shemesh. This is sun or toward the east. Its root may mean being brilliant. Figuratively, this could be a ray or an arch.
T “righteousness” = tsedaqah. From the same as tsedeq (rightness, righteousness, vindication. It is everything that is just or ethical. That which is right in a natural, moral, or legal sense. It also includes just weights (i.e. true weights). Figuratively, this is justice, righteousness, equity – even prosperity). This is righteousness, justice, righteous acts, and moral virtue.
U “rise” = zarach. 18x in OT. This is to rise, shine, or dawn. It can also be used to describe symptoms of leprosy.

with healingV in its wings.W You shall go outX leapingY like calvesZ from the stall.AA

Notes on verse 2b

V “healing” = marpe. 16x in OT. From raphe (to heal, repair, mend, purify, healer). This is healing, health, composure, soothing, yielding, placidity.
W “wings” = kanpah. This is wing, edge, corner, extremity. It can also be a flap or fold of a garment or the pinnacle of a building.
X “go out” = yatsa. This is to go or come out, bring forth, appear. It is to go out in a literal or figurative sense.
Y “leaping” = push. 4x in OT. This is to frisk about, leap, charge, be scattered, behave in a proud way.
Z “calves” = egel. May be from the same as agol (round, circular – root meaning revolve). This is a male calf as one that frisks about. Often used for one that is almost grown up. This is also the word used for the molten calf in Ex 32.
AA “stall” = marbeq. 4x in OT. May come from a word that means to tie up. This is fatted or stall. It is the word that Rebekah’s name come’s from.


Image credit: “Malachi” by James Tissot.

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