Malachi 1:13
New International Version
And you say, ‘What a burden!’ and you sniff at it contemptuously,” says the LORD Almighty. “When you bring injured, lame or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?” says the LORD.

New Living Translation
You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the LORD,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the LORD.

English Standard Version
But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
You also say: ‘Oh, what a nuisance!’ And you turn up your nose at it,” says the LORD of Hosts. “You bring offerings that are stolen, lame, or sick! Should I accept these from your hands?” asks the LORD.

King James Bible
Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.

New King James Version
You also say, ‘Oh, what a weariness!’ And you sneer at it,” Says the LORD of hosts. “And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; Thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?” Says the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
You also say, ‘See, how tiresome it is!’ And you view it as trivial,” says the LORD of armies, “and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I accept it from your hand?” says the LORD.

NASB 1995
“You also say, ‘My, how tiresome it is!’ And you disdainfully sniff at it,” says the LORD of hosts, “and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?” says the LORD.

NASB 1977
“You also say, ‘My, how tiresome it is!’ And you disdainfully sniff at it,” says the LORD of hosts, “and you bring what was taken by robbery, and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?” says the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
You also say, ‘Behold, how tiresome it is!’ And you disdainfully sniff at it,” says Yahweh of hosts, “and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I accept that from your hand?” says Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
You also say, ‘How tiresome this is!’ And you disdainfully sniff at it,” says the LORD of hosts, “and you bring what was taken by robbery, and the lame or the sick [animals]; this you bring as an offering! Should I receive it with pleasure from your hand?” says the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
You also say, ‘Look, what a nuisance! ’ And you scorn it,” says the LORD of Armies. “You bring stolen, lame, or sick animals. You bring this as an offering! Am I to accept that from your hands? ” asks the LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You also say: “Look, what a nuisance!” “And you scorn it,” says the LORD of Hosts. “You bring stolen, lame, or sick animals. You bring this as an offering! Am I to accept that from your hands?” asks the LORD.”

American Standard Version
Ye say also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith Jehovah of hosts; and ye have brought that which was taken by violence, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye bring the offering: should I accept this at your hand? saith Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
You get so disgusted that you even make vulgar signs at me. And for an offering, you bring stolen animals or those that are lame or sick. Should I accept these?

English Revised Version
Ye say also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye have brought that which was taken by violence, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye bring the offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"You say, 'Oh what a nuisance it is,' and you sniff at it in disgust," says the LORD of Armies. "You bring stolen, lame, and sick animals. When you bring such offerings, should I accept them from you?" asks the LORD.

Good News Translation
You say, 'How tired we are of all this!' and you turn up your nose at me. As your offering to me you bring a stolen animal or one that is lame or sick. Do you think I will accept that from you?

International Standard Version
"And you say, 'What a burden!' and sniff contemptuously at it," says the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, "when you present maimed, crippled, and diseased animals, and when you bring the offering. Should I accept this from your hand?" asks the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
You also say: ?Oh, what a nuisance!? And you turn up your nose at it,? says the LORD of Hosts. ?You bring offerings that are stolen, lame, or sick! Should I accept these from your hands?? asks the LORD.

NET Bible
You also say, 'How tiresome it is.' You turn up your nose at it," says the LORD who rules over all, "and instead bring what is stolen, lame, or sick. You bring these things for an offering! Should I accept this from you?" asks the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
You say also, 'Look, what a weariness it is.' and you sniff scornfully at it," says the LORD of hosts; "and you have brought that which was taken by violence, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring the offering. Should I accept this from your hand?" says the LORD of hosts.

Webster's Bible Translation
Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this from your hand? saith the LORD.

World English Bible
You say also, ‘Behold, what a weariness it is!’ And you have sniffed at it”, says Yahweh of Armies; “and you have brought that which was taken by violence, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring the offering. Should I accept this at your hand?” says Yahweh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you have said, Behold, what a weariness, "" And you have puffed at it,” said YHWH of Hosts, "" “And you have brought in plunder, "" And the lame and the sick, "" And you have brought in the present! Do I accept it from your hand?” said YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
And ye have said, 'Lo, what a weariness,' And ye have puffed at it, said Jehovah of Hosts, And ye have brought in plunder, And the lame and the sick, And ye have brought in the present! Do I accept it from your hand? said Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye said, Behold, what a weariness! and ye puffed at it, said Jehovah of armies; and ye brought the spoiled and the lame, and the sick; and ye brought the gift: shall I accept it from your hand? said Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And you have said: Behold of our labour, and you puffed it away, saith the Lord of hosts, and you brought in of rapine the lame, and the sick, and brought in an offering: shall I accept it at your hands, saith the Lord?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you have said, “Behold our labor,” and you have exhaled it away, says the Lord of hosts. And you brought in by plunder the lame, and the sick, and brought it in as a gift. How can I receive this from your hand, says the Lord?

New American Bible
You say, “See what a burden this is!” and you exasperate me, says the LORD of hosts; You bring in what is mutilated, or lame, or sick; you bring it as an offering! Will I accept it from your hands? says the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
“What a weariness this is,” you say, and you sniff at me, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you say, This is because we are miserable; and I have sniffed at it, says the LORD of hosts; for you bring offerings that are taken by violence, the lame and the sick; I will not accept them from your hands, says the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you say, “This is from our misery”, and I blew on them, says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts, because you bring a crippled and sick offering from plunder; I do not accept them from your hands, says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Ye say also: 'Behold, what a weariness is it!' And ye have snuffed at it, Saith the LORD of hosts; And ye have brought that which was taken by violence, And the lame, and the sick; Thus ye bring the offering; Should I accept this of your hand? Saith the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And ye said, These services are troublesome: therefore I have utterly rejected them with scorn, saith the Lord Almighty: and ye brought in torn victims, and lame, and sick: if then ye should bring an offering, shall I accept them at your hands? saith the Lord Almighty.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Polluted Offerings
12“But you profane it when you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is contemptible.’ 13You also say: ‘Oh, what a nuisance!’ And you turn up your nose at it,” says the LORD of Hosts. “You bring offerings that are stolen, lame, or sick! Should I accept these from your hands?” asks the LORD. 14“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.…

Cross References
Isaiah 43:22-24
But you have not called on Me, O Jacob, because you have grown weary of Me, O Israel. / You have not brought Me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored Me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, nor wearied you with frankincense. / You have not bought Me sweet cane with your silver, nor satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened Me with your sins; you have wearied Me with your iniquities.

Amos 8:5
asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales.

Ezekiel 22:26
Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.

Matthew 15:8-9
‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”

Isaiah 1:13-14
Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. / I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.

Leviticus 22:20-22
You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. / When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable. / You are not to present to the LORD any animal that is blind, injured, or maimed, or anything with a running sore, a festering rash, or a scab; you must not put any of these on the altar as a food offering to the LORD.

Jeremiah 6:20
What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please Me.”

Mark 7:6-7
Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

1 Samuel 2:29
Why then do you kick at My sacrifice and offering that I have prescribed for My dwelling place? You have honored your sons more than Me by fattening yourselves with the best of all the offerings of My people Israel.’

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Ezekiel 34:18
Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink the clear waters? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?

Hosea 8:13
Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to Me, and though they eat the meat, the LORD does not accept them. Now He will remember their iniquity and punish their sins: They will return to Egypt.

Luke 11:42
Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.

Isaiah 66:3
Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.


Treasury of Scripture

You said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and you have snuffed at it, said the LORD of hosts; and you brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus you brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? said the LORD.

Behold.

1 Samuel 2:29
Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

Isaiah 43:22
But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.

Amos 8:5
Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?

and ye have snuffed at it.

Malachi 1:7,8
Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible…

Leviticus 22:8,19-23
That which dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts, he shall not eat to defile himself therewith: I am the LORD…

Deuteronomy 15:21
And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God.

should I accept.

Malachi 2:13
And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.

Isaiah 1:12
When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

Isaiah 57:6
Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?

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Malachi 1
1. Malachi complains of Israel's unkindness;
2. of their irreverence and profaneness.














You also say
This phrase indicates a continuation of a dialogue between God and the priests of Israel. The Hebrew word for "say" is "אָמַר" (amar), which is often used in the context of a declaration or proclamation. Here, it underscores the ongoing communication and the accusatory tone God uses to address the priests' attitudes and actions. Historically, this reflects a period when the priests were neglecting their duties and responsibilities, showing contempt for the sacred practices they were meant to uphold.

‘Oh, what a nuisance!’
The word "nuisance" translates from the Hebrew "טֹרַח" (torach), which conveys a sense of weariness or burden. This reflects the priests' disdainful attitude towards their service in the temple. Instead of viewing their duties as a privilege and an act of worship, they see them as bothersome. This attitude is a direct affront to God, who desires sincere worship and reverence. The historical context here is crucial, as it shows a time when the spiritual leaders were failing to inspire true devotion among the people.

and you turn up your nose at it
The phrase "turn up your nose" is a vivid expression of disdain and disrespect. In Hebrew, this is "נָפַח" (naphach), which can mean to blow or puff, suggesting an attitude of arrogance or contempt. This imagery highlights the priests' dismissive attitude towards their sacred duties. In the broader scriptural context, such behavior is condemned as it reflects a heart far from God, contrasting with the humility and reverence expected in worship.

says the LORD of Hosts
This title, "LORD of Hosts," is "יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת" (YHWH Tseva'ot) in Hebrew, emphasizing God's sovereignty and command over the heavenly armies. It serves as a reminder of His ultimate authority and power. The use of this title here underscores the seriousness of the priests' offenses, as they are not merely neglecting their duties to a local deity, but to the Almighty God who commands the universe.

You bring offerings that are stolen
The word "stolen" comes from the Hebrew "גָּזַל" (gazal), meaning to rob or take by force. This indicates that the offerings brought by the priests were not only inadequate but also obtained through unjust means. This act of bringing stolen offerings is a direct violation of the law and an insult to God, who requires offerings to be pure and given willingly. Historically, this reflects a period of moral and spiritual decline among the leaders of Israel.

lame or sick
The terms "lame" and "sick" translate from the Hebrew words "פִּסֵּחַ" (pisseach) and "חֹלֶה" (choleh), respectively. These words describe animals that are physically defective and therefore unacceptable for sacrifice according to the Mosaic Law. Offering such animals was a clear violation of God's commandments, which required offerings to be without blemish. This reflects the priests' disregard for God's standards and their failure to honor Him with their best.

should I accept these from your hands?”
This rhetorical question posed by God highlights the absurdity and offensiveness of the priests' actions. The Hebrew word for "accept" is "רָצָה" (ratzah), meaning to be pleased with or to accept favorably. God is making it clear that He cannot and will not accept such offerings. This question serves as a call to self-examination for the priests and, by extension, for all believers, urging them to consider the quality and sincerity of their worship. The historical and scriptural context emphasizes the need for genuine devotion and integrity in one's relationship with God.

(13) Said.--Better, say.

And ye have snuffed at it.--Better, and ye puff at it--that is, treat it with contempt, "pooh-pooh it," as we say. The service of the Temple, which they ought to have regarded as their highest privilege and pleasure, they look on as burdensome and contemptible. For "brought," read bring.

Torn.--The word Gaz-l elsewhere means "stolen" (Deuteronomy 28:31), or "robbed "--i.e., "spoiled" (Deuteronomy 28:29). It is perhaps not impossible that it may here be a later word for trephah, "torn" (comp. the cogn. Arabic ajzal, "galled on the back"), but it is not so used in post-Biblical Jewish writings. On the contrary, Rabbinic tradition uses our word when expressly mentioning that which is stolen as unfit to be offered as a burnt offering--e.g., the Sifr?, (Vayyikr?, Perek 6, Parashta 5, ed. Weis 7b), commenting on the words of Leviticus 1:10, says: " 'From the flock,' and 'from the sheep,' and 'from the goats:' These words are limitations--viz., to exclude the sick (comp. also Malachi 1:8), and the aged, and that which has been dedicated in thought to an idol, and that which is defiled with its own filth; 'its offering' [English Version, his offering, comp. Note on Zechariah 4:2], to exclude that which is stolen." (See also Talmud Babli, Baba Kamma 66b.) The English Version has the same in view in its rendering of Isaiah 61:8, where it has the authority of Talmud Babli, Sukkah 30a, and of Jerome and Luther. Perhaps the reason why people were inclined to offer a stolen animal may be, that it might very likely have a mark on it, which would render it impossible for the thief to offer it for sale, and so realise money on it, for fear of detection; so then he makes a virtue of a necessity, and brings as an offering to God that which he could not otherwise dispose of. . . .

Verse 13. - 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: Ecclus. 34:18 (31:21), "He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous (μεμωκημένη)" Lame... sick (see Leviticus 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You also say:
וַאֲמַרְתֶּם֩ (wa·’ă·mar·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Look,
הִנֵּ֨ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

what a nuisance!’
מַתְּלָאָ֜ה (mat·tə·lā·’āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4972: What a weariness

And you turn up your nose at
וְהִפַּחְתֶּ֣ם (wə·hip·paḥ·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5301: To breathe, blow

it,”
אוֹת֗וֹ (’ō·w·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

says
אָמַר֙ (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts.
צְבָא֔וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

“You bring
וַהֲבֵאתֶ֣ם (wa·hă·ḇê·ṯem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

as an offering
הַמִּנְחָ֑ה (ham·min·ḥāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering

[animals that are] stolen,
גָּז֗וּל (gā·zūl)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 1497: To pluck off, to flay, strip, rob

lame,
הַפִּסֵּ֙חַ֙ (hap·pis·sê·aḥ)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6455: Lame

or sick!
הַ֣חוֹלֶ֔ה (ha·ḥō·w·leh)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2470: To be weak or sick

Should I accept
הַאֶרְצֶ֥ה (ha·’er·ṣeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7521: To be pleased with, to satisfy a, debt

this
אוֹתָ֛הּ (’ō·w·ṯāh)
Direct object marker | third person feminine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

from your hands?”
מִיֶּדְכֶ֖ם (mî·yeḏ·ḵem)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 3027: A hand

asks
אָמַ֥ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Prophets: Malachi 1:13 You say also 'Behold what a weariness (Malachi Mal Ml)
Malachi 1:12
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