Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the LORD Almighty. “It is you priests who show contempt for my name. “But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’ New Living Translation The LORD of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name! “But you ask, ‘How have we ever shown contempt for your name?’ English Standard Version “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ Berean Standard Bible “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ Berean Literal Bible “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. And if I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am the Master, where is the fear due Me?” Says YHWH of Hosts to you⁺, O priests despising My name. “And you⁺ say, ‘In what have we despised Your name?’ King James Bible A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? New King James Version “A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’ New American Standard Bible “‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the LORD of armies to you, the priests who despise My name! But you say, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ NASB 1995 “’A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ NASB 1977 “ ‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is My respect?’ says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, ‘How have we despised Thy name?’ Legacy Standard Bible “‘A son honors his father, and a slave his master. Then if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is the fear of Me?’ says Yahweh of hosts to you, O priests who despise My name. But you say, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ Amplified Bible “‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am a Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is the [reverent] fear and respect due Me?’ says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise My name. But you say, ‘How and in what way have we despised Your name?’ Berean Annotated Bible “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me? says the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts to you⁺ priests who despise My name. “But you⁺ ask, ‘How have we despised Your name? Christian Standard Bible “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of me? says the LORD of Armies to you priests, who despise my name.” Yet you ask, “How have we despised your name? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me? says Yahweh of Hosts to you priests, who despise My name.” Yet you ask: “How have we despised Your name?"” American Standard Version A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honor? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith Jehovah of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Contemporary English Version I, the LORD All-Powerful, have something to say to you priests. Children respect their fathers, and servants respect their masters. I am your father and your master, so why don't you respect me? You priests have insulted me, and now you ask, "How did we insult you?" English Revised Version A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? GOD'S WORD® Translation "This is what the LORD of Armies says: A son honors his father, and a servant honors his master. So if I am a father, where is my honor? If I am a master, where is my respect? You priests despise my name. "But you ask, 'How have we despised your name?' Good News Translation The LORD Almighty says to the priests, "Children honor their parents, and servants honor their masters. I am your father--why don't you honor me? I am your master--why don't you respect me? You despise me, and yet you ask, 'How have we despised you?' International Standard Version "A son honors his father and a servant his master. So if I'm a father, where is my honor? And if I'm a master, where is my respect?" says the LORD of the Heavenly Armies to you priests who are despising my name. "But you ask, 'How have we despised your name?' NET Bible "A son naturally honors his father and a slave respects his master. If I am your father, where is my honor? If I am your master, where is my respect? The LORD who rules over all asks you this, you priests who make light of my name! But you reply, 'How have we made light of your name?' New Heart English Bible "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, then where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me? says the LORD of hosts to you, priests, who despise my name. You say, 'How have we despised your name?' Webster's Bible Translation A son honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is my honor? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, In what have we despised thy name? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ World English Bible “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, then where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says Yahweh of Armies to you priests who despise my name. “You say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionA son honors a father, and a servant his master. And if I [am] a father, where [is] My glory? And if I [am] a master, where [is] My fear? Said YHWH of Hosts to you, "" O priests, despising My Name! And you have said, In what have we despised Your Name? Berean Literal Bible “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. And if I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am the Master, where is the fear due Me?” Says YHWH of Hosts to you⁺, O priests despising My name. “And you⁺ say, ‘In what have we despised Your name?’ Young's Literal Translation A son honoureth a father, and a servant his master. And if I am a father, where is Mine honour? And if I am a master, where is My fear? Said Jehovah of Hosts to you, O priests, despising My name! And ye have said: 'In what have we despised Thy name?' Smith's Literal Translation A son will honor the father, and the servant his lord; and if I a father, where mine honor? and if I their lord, where my fear? said Jehovah of armies to you, O priests despising my name. And ye said, In what did we despise thy name? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe son honoureth the father, and the servant his master: if then I be a father, where is my honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts. Catholic Public Domain Version The son honors the father, and the servant his master. If, therefore, I am Father, where is my honor? And if I am Master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. And you have said, “In what way, have we despised your name?” New American Bible A son honors his father, and a servant fears his master; If, then, I am a father, where is the honor due to me? And if I am a master, where is the fear due to me? So says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who disdain my name. But you ask, “How have we disdained your name?” New Revised Standard Version A son honors his father, and servants their master. If then I am a father, where is the honor due me? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. You say, “How have we despised your name?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleA son honors his father, and a servant his master; if then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. And if you say, In what have we despised thy name? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated A son honors his father and a Servant his Master; if I am The Father where is it that you are honoring me? And if I am THE LORD, where is it that you are in awe of me, LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts says to you Priests who despise my name? And if you say, ”In what have we despised your name?” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917A son honoureth his father, And a servant his master; If then I be a father, Where is My honour? And if I be a master, Where is My fear? Saith the LORD of hosts Unto you, O priests, that despise My name. And ye say: 'Wherein have we despised Thy name?' Brenton Septuagint Translation A son honours his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honour? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord Almighty. Ye the priests are they that despise my name: yet ye said, Wherein have we despised thy name? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Polluted Offerings6“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ 7By presenting defiled food on My altar. But you ask, ‘How have we defiled You?’ By saying that the table of the LORD is contemptible.… Cross References “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. Ephesians 6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Colossians 3:22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. But if I am a father, where is My honor? 1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained. John 5:23 so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Matthew 6:9 So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” Psalm 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, Romans 3:18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” says the LORD of Hosts Jeremiah 10:16 The Portion of Jacob is not like these, for He is the Maker of all things, and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance—the LORD of Hosts is His name. Isaiah 47:4 Our Redeemer—the LORD of Hosts is His name—is the Holy One of Israel. Psalm 24:10 Who is He, this King of Glory? The LORD of Hosts—He is the King of Glory. Selah to you priests who despise My name. 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.’ Leviticus 22:32 You must not profane My holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy among the Israelites. I am the LORD who sanctifies you, 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. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ Ezekiel 36:20-23 And wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.’ / But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they had gone. / Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: It is not for your sake that I will act, O house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you went. … Treasury of Scripture A son honors his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is my honor? and if I be a master, where is my fear? said the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, that despise my name. And you say, Wherein have we despised your name? son. Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Leviticus 19:3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 5:16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. a servant. 1 Timothy 6:1,2 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed… Titus 2:9,10 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; … 1 Peter 2:17-19 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king… if then. Malachi 2:9 Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law. Exodus 4:22,23 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: … Isaiah 1:2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. and if. Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? John 13:13-17 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am… O priests. Malachi 2:8 But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. 1 Samuel 2:28-30 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel? … Jump to Previous Armies Despise Despised Due Fear Honor Honors Honour Honoureth Hosts Master Priests Respect Servant WhereinJump to Next Armies Despise Despised Due Fear Honor Honors Honour Honoureth Hosts Master Priests Respect Servant WhereinMalachi 1 1. Malachi complains of Israel's unkindness;2. of their irreverence and profaneness. A son honors his father, and a servant his master. This phrase establishes a principle of respect and honor that is expected in familial and societal relationships. In ancient Israel, the family unit was central, and honoring one's parents was a commandment (Exodus 20:12). Similarly, servants were expected to respect their masters, reflecting the social hierarchies of the time. This principle is foundational in understanding the relationship between God and His people, where God is both Father and Master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me? says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ Persons / Places / Events 1. MalachiThe prophet through whom God delivers His message to the Israelites. His name means "my messenger" in Hebrew. 2. The LORD of Hosts A title for God emphasizing His sovereignty and command over the heavenly armies. 3. Priests The religious leaders in Israel responsible for temple worship and sacrifices, who are being directly addressed and rebuked by God in this passage. 4. Israel The nation chosen by God, to whom the message is directed, represented here by the priests. 5. Temple Worship The context in which the priests are failing to honor God, as they are responsible for maintaining the sanctity and reverence of worship practices. Teaching Points Honor and Reverence for GodGod deserves honor and reverence as our Father and Master. Reflect on how you show respect and reverence in your daily life and worship. The Role of Spiritual Leaders Spiritual leaders are held to a high standard of honoring God. Consider how you can support and pray for your leaders to maintain integrity and reverence. Self-Examination of Worship Evaluate your personal worship practices. Are they honoring to God, or have they become routine and insincere? Understanding God's Sovereignty Recognize God's authority as the LORD of Hosts. How does acknowledging His sovereignty impact your obedience and fear of Him? Responding to God's Rebuke When God convicts us of sin, like the priests in Malachi, our response should be repentance and a renewed commitment to honor Him. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Malachi 1:6?2. How does Malachi 1:6 challenge our respect for God's authority today? 3. What does honoring God as "Father" and "Master" mean in our daily lives? 4. How can we avoid offering "contemptible" sacrifices like in Malachi 1:6? 5. Compare Malachi 1:6 with Ephesians 6:1-3 on honoring authority. 6. How can we ensure our worship reflects true reverence for God? 7. Why does Malachi 1:6 emphasize honoring God as a father and master? 8. How does Malachi 1:6 challenge our understanding of respect and reverence for God? 9. What historical context influenced the message in Malachi 1:6? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Malachi 1? 11. How do Malachi 1:6–8’s denunciations of flawed sacrifices align with other Old Testament laws on offerings? 12. How does Malachi address Israel's faithfulness and God's promises? 13. What does the Bible say about God versus Satan? 14. Should men wear hats in church? What Does Malachi 1:6 Mean “A son honors his father, and a servant his master.”God begins with a truth everyone in any culture recognizes: built-in respect flows upward. • Exodus 20:12 reminds children to “Honor your father and your mother.” • Colossians 3:22 calls servants to obey earthly masters. • Jesus’ parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-31) shows duty assumed. If mere human relationships deserve honor, the principle is incontestable. “But if I am a father, where is My honor?” The Lord openly claims His fatherhood over Israel (Deuteronomy 32:6; Isaiah 63:16). Literally, He created and redeemed them, so filial honor is His right. Honoring Him means: • wholehearted obedience (John 14:15) • grateful worship (Psalm 103:1-5) • trusting dependence (Matthew 6:9-10) • bringing worthy offerings (Proverbs 3:9) Failure in any of these slights the Father. “And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” God also stands as absolute Master (Psalm 95:6-7). The “fear” He requires is reverent awe, not cringing terror—yet it is real enough to curb careless worship (Hebrews 12:28-29; Luke 12:5). Genuine fear shows up in: • eager obedience (Luke 6:46) • holy living (2 Corinthians 7:1) • humble submission when corrected (Hebrews 12:5-11) When reverence evaporates, so does meaningful service. “says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name.” The charge lands first on the clergy. Priests were custodians of worship (Leviticus 10:3) yet were bringing blemished sacrifices (Malachi 1:7-8, 13). Their neglect made them enemies of the very name they were appointed to exalt (Malachi 2:1-2). For New-Covenant believers, we are now a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). Spiritual leaders who treat holy things lightly still mislead multitudes. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’” Self-deception sets in quickly (Proverbs 30:12). Instead of repenting, the priests play innocent—echoing Israel’s “Why have we fasted and You have not seen?” (Isaiah 58:3) and Laodicea’s “I am rich… and need nothing” (Revelation 3:17). When confronted by Scripture, the honest heart says, “Search me, O God,” not “What did I do?” summary Malachi 1:6 exposes a shocking disconnect: God is unquestionably Father and Master, yet His own people—especially their leaders—were giving Him neither honor nor fear. The verse presses each of us to restore rightful reverence: obey Him as children, revere Him as servants, and guard His name in every word, choice, and act. (6-14) The prophet's rebuke for the dishonouring of God's name is addressed to the priests as the responsible persons, but applies to the whole nation.(6) A father.--God is distinctly called the Father of Israel in Deuteronomy 32:6; Deuteronomy 32:18. (Comp. Exodus 4:22 : "My son, my firstborn, is Israel.") A master.--Comp. Isaiah 1:3. Mine honour--i.e., the respect due to me. . . . Verses 6-14. ? § 3. Israel had shown no gratitude for all these proofs of God's love, and the very priests had been the chief offenders by offering defective sacrifices, and profaning the temple worship. Verse 6. - A son honoureth his father. The prophet commences with a general principle which every one allows, and argues from that what was the attitude which they ought to assume towards God. A father. God was the Father of Israel by creation, election, preservation, watchful guardianship (see Exodus 4:22; Deuteronomy 32:6; Isaiah 63:16; Isaiah 64:8, etc.). My fear. The fear, respect, reverence, due to me. O priests. He addresses his reproof to the priests, as the representatives of the people, and bound to lead them to obedience and holiness, and to be a pattern to the flock. Wherein have we despised thy Name? The priests have grown so callous, and have so obscured true religion by Pharisaical externalism, that they profess to be utterly unconscious how they have shown contempt of God. The Name of God is God himself and all that has to do with him.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “A sonבֵּ֛ן (bên) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1121: A son honors יְכַבֵּ֥ד (yə·ḵab·bêḏ) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome his father, אָ֖ב (’āḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1: Father and a servant וְעֶ֣בֶד (wə·‘e·ḇeḏ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant his master. אֲדֹנָ֑יו (’ă·ḏō·nāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller But if וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not I אָ֣נִי (’ā·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I am a father, אָ֣ב (’āḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1: Father where אַיֵּ֣ה (’ay·yêh) Interrogative Strong's 346: Where? is My honor? כְבוֹדִ֡י (ḵə·ḇō·w·ḏî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 3519: Weight, splendor, copiousness And if וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not I אָנִי֩ (’ā·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I am a master, אֲדוֹנִ֣ים (’ă·ḏō·w·nîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller where אַיֵּ֨ה (’ay·yêh) Interrogative Strong's 346: Where? is your fear of Me?” מוֹרָאִ֜י (mō·w·rā·’î) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 4172: Fear, a fearful thing, deed says אָמַ֣ר ׀ (’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 צְבָא֗וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ) Noun - common plural Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign to you לָכֶם֙ (lā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew priests הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ (hak·kō·hă·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3548: Priest who despise בּוֹזֵ֣י (bō·w·zê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 959: To disesteem My name. שְׁמִ֔י (šə·mî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 8034: A name Yet you ask, וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֕ם (wa·’ă·mar·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say “How בַּמֶּ֥ה (bam·meh) Preposition-b | Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what have we despised בָזִ֖ינוּ (ḇā·zî·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 959: To disesteem Your name?” שְׁמֶֽךָ׃ (šə·me·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 8034: A name Links Malachi 1:6 NIVMalachi 1:6 NLT Malachi 1:6 ESV Malachi 1:6 NASB Malachi 1:6 KJV Malachi 1:6 BibleApps.com Malachi 1:6 Biblia Paralela Malachi 1:6 Chinese Bible Malachi 1:6 French Bible Malachi 1:6 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Malachi 1:6 A son honors his father (Malachi Mal Ml) |
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