Malachi study section
Malachi word studies
A handful of Hebrew words carry the theology of Malachi. Tap the speaker next to any word to hear it pronounced.
Key words
אָהַב (ahav) — “To Love”
Usage: Malachi 1:2
Meaning: To love, have affection for, choose in covenant love. “I have loved you, says the LORD.”
Theological Significance: God’s declared love for Jacob is His electing, covenant love, the foundation of the whole book. It is fully revealed in Christ, in whom God loved and chose His people “before the foundation of the world” (Malachi 1:2; Romans 9:13; Ephesians 1:4).
כָּבוֹד (kavod) — “Honor, Glory”
Usage: Malachi 1:6
Meaning: Honor, weight, glory, respect. “A son honors his father... If then I am a father, where is my honor?”
Theological Significance: God rightly requires honor from His people, which the priests withheld by their contemptuous worship. True honor of God is fulfilled in Christ, who perfectly glorified the Father and teaches us to hallow His name (Malachi 1:6; John 17:4).
בְּרִית (berith) — “Covenant”
Usage: Malachi 2:4-5, 10, 14; 3:1
Meaning: Covenant, binding agreement, solemn bond. Malachi speaks of the covenant with Levi, of marriage, and of the messenger of the covenant.
Theological Significance: Malachi’s concern for covenant faithfulness — in priesthood, marriage, and worship — points to Christ, “the messenger of the covenant” and mediator of the new covenant in His blood (Malachi 3:1; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15).
מַעֲשֵׂר (maaser) — “Tithe”
Usage: Malachi 3:8, 10
Meaning: A tithe, a tenth part given to God. “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse.”
Theological Significance: Withholding the tithe is called “robbing God,” while faithful giving opens the windows of heaven. It teaches the heart of glad, trusting generosity that the New Testament commends in those redeemed by Christ’s own self-giving (Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:7-8).
צְדָקָה (tsedaqah) — “Righteousness”
Usage: Malachi 4:2
Meaning: Righteousness, right standing and right conduct. “The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.”
Theological Significance: The rising “sun of righteousness” is fulfilled in Christ, the light of the world and our righteousness, who dawns on those who fear God’s name, bringing salvation and healing (Malachi 4:2; Luke 1:78-79; 1 Corinthians 1:30).
My notes
Private to this browser — saved on this device only, never uploaded.