Article Index

Names of the Book

MOLTEN IRON- Photo by Richard Hamm

English:  Malachi
Hebrew:  מלאכי
Transliterated:  Mal'akhi
Other names:   

 

whoWho

Wrote the book:  Malachi
Are the key people:  Malachi, the Levitical priests
Is it written to:  The people of Judah living in Jerusalem

 

whatWhat

The priests and their sin (Malachi 1:1-2:9)
The masses and their sin (Malachi 2:10-3:15)
The few who remain faithful (Malachi 3:16-4:6)

 

whenWhen

Was it written:  c 430 BCE
Did the events occur:  c 430 BCE - future
Was it canonized:  c 499-100 BCE
(see the Timeline of the Tanakh)

 

whereWhere

Was it written:  Jerusalem
Did the events occur:  Jerusalem

 

whyWhy

Malachi was written to inform us that: 
G-d's love for us is great.
The priests of Malachi's day were corrupt and sinful.
Many people in Malachi's day were sinful.
G-d's love leads Him to send the Messiah for us.

 

whyIntroduction

The book of Malachi concludes the historical and prophetic message of the latter prophets of Israel. Although the nation had briefly turned back to G-d during the time of Zechariah, Judah had once again strayed after the messianic age they anticipated had not materialized. Widespread divorce between husbands and wives reflected the growing divorce in the hearts of nation between themselves and G-d. Malachi calls for a revival within the nation especially focusing on the priesthood (which had grown corrupt) and the widespread injustice and growing coldness towards G-d. Malachi's appeal to choose G-d's path of righteousness, even when we don't feel like it, reflects the Lord's heart of faithfulness and His desire for His people to remain faithful to Him.

 

 

Torah Portion

unknown

 

 

or view this week's triennial cycle reading.

Today is

Yom Sh'lishi, 9 Adar II, 5784

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

 

Learn more about this date in history.