Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version You ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. New Living Translation You cry out, “Why doesn’t the LORD accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows. English Standard Version But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Berean Standard Bible Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Berean Literal Bible And you⁺ say, “For what?” Because that YHWH is a witness between you and between the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously, and she is your companion and the wife of your covenant. King James Bible Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. New King James Version Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant. New American Standard Bible Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your marriage companion and your wife by covenant. NASB 1995 “Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. NASB 1977 “Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Legacy Standard Bible But you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because Yahweh has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Amplified Bible But you say, “Why [does He reject it]?” Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously. Yet she is your marriage companion and the wife of your covenant [made by your vows]. Berean Annotated Bible Yet you⁺ ask, “Why? It is because the LORD {YHWH} has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Christian Standard Bible And you ask, “Why? ” Because even though the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, you have acted treacherously against her. She was your marriage partner and your wife by covenant. Holman Christian Standard Bible Yet you ask, “For what reason?” Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have acted treacherously against her, though she was your marriage partner and your wife by covenant. American Standard Version Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because Jehovah hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, though she is thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. Contemporary English Version And why isn't God pleased? It's because he knows that each of you men has been unfaithful to the wife you married when you were young. You promised that she would be your partner, but now you have broken that promise. English Revised Version Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, though she is thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. GOD'S WORD® Translation But you ask, "Why [aren't our offerings accepted]?" It is because the LORD is a witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been unfaithful. Yet, she is your companion, the wife of your marriage vows. Good News Translation You ask why he no longer accepts them. It is because he knows you have broken your promise to the wife you married when you were young. She was your partner, and you have broken your promise to her, although you promised before God that you would be faithful to her. International Standard Version Yet you ask, 'For what reason?' Because the LORD acts as a witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you were unfaithful to her, your partner, the wife of your covenant. NET Bible Yet you ask, "Why?" The LORD is testifying against you on behalf of the wife you married when you were young, to whom you have become unfaithful even though she is your companion and wife by law. New Heart English Bible Yet you say, 'Why?' Because the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion, and the wife of your covenant. Webster's Bible Translation Yet ye say, Why? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. World English Bible Yet you say, ‘Why?’ Because Yahweh has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and the wife of your covenant. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd you have said, “Why?” Because YHWH has testified between you "" And the wife of your youth, "" That you have dealt treacherously against her, "" And she [is] your companion, and your covenant-wife. Berean Literal Bible And you⁺ say, “For what?” Because that YHWH is a witness between you and between the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously, and she is your companion and the wife of your covenant. Young's Literal Translation And ye have said, 'Wherefore?' Because Jehovah hath testified between thee And the wife of thy youth, That thou hast dealt treacherously against her, And she thy companion, and thy covenant-wife. Smith's Literal Translation And ye said, For what? For that Jehovah testified between thee and between the wife of thy youth, which thou didst deal faithlessly against her, and she thy companion and the wife of thy covenant. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd you have said: For what cause? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee, and the wife of thy youth, whom thou hast despised: yet she was thy partner, and the wife of thy covenant. Catholic Public Domain Version And you have said, “What is the reason for this?” It is because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, whom you have despised. Yet she was your partner, and the wife of your covenant. New American Bible And you say, “Why?”— Because the LORD is witness between you and the wife of your youth With whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion, your covenanted wife. New Revised Standard Version You ask, “Why does he not?” Because the LORD was a witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd if you say, For what reason? Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously though she is your companion and the wife of your covenant. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And if you say: “Why?”, it is because LORD JEHOVAH was witness between you and the wife of your youth that you have been treacherous to her, and she is your companion and the wife of your covenant OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Yet ye say: 'Wherefore?' Because the LORD hath been witness Between thee and the wife of thy youth, Against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, Though she is thy companion, And the wife of thy covenant. Brenton Septuagint Translation Yet ye said, Wherefore? Because the Lord has borne witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, whom thou has forsaken, and yet she was thy partner, and the wife of thy covenant. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Judah's Unfaithfulness…13And this is another thing you do: You cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and groaning, because He no longer regards your offerings or receives them gladly from your hands. 14Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.… Cross References Yet you ask, “Why?” Judges 6:13 “Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonders of which our fathers told us, saying, ‘Has not the LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of Midian.” Isaiah 58:3 “Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers. Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? It is because the LORD has been a witness Genesis 31:50 If you mistreat my daughters or take other wives, although no one is with us, remember that God is a witness between you and me.” Joshua 22:27 Rather, let it be a witness between us and you and the generations to come, that we will worship the LORD in His presence with our burnt offerings, sacrifices, and peace offerings.’ Then in the future, your descendants cannot say to ours, ‘You have no share in the LORD!’ 1 Samuel 12:5 Samuel said to them, “The LORD is a witness against you, and His anointed is a witness today, that you have not found anything in my hand.” “He is a witness,” they replied. between you and the wife of your youth, Proverbs 5:18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth: Isaiah 54:6 For the LORD has called you back, like a wife deserted and wounded in spirit, like the rejected wife of one’s youth,” says your God. Ecclesiastes 9:9 Enjoy life with your beloved wife all the days of the fleeting life that God has given you under the sun—all your fleeting days. For this is your portion in life and in your labor under the sun. against whom you have broken faith, Ezekiel 16:59 For this is what the Lord GOD says: I will deal with you according to your deeds, since you have despised the oath by breaking the covenant. Jeremiah 3:20 But as a woman may betray her husband, so you have betrayed Me, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. Hosea 6:7 But they, like Adam, have transgressed the covenant; there they were unfaithful to Me. though she is your companion Proverbs 2:17 who abandons the partner of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God. Genesis 2:18 The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. / For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! and your wife by covenant. Ezekiel 16:8 Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD. Treasury of Scripture Yet you say, Why? Because the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously: yet is she your companion, and the wife of your covenant. Wherefore. Malachi 1:6,7 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? … Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Proverbs 30:20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness. the Lord. Malachi 3:5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. Genesis 31:50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee. Judges 11:10 And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words. the wife. Malachi 2:15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. Proverbs 5:18,19 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth… Ecclesiastes 9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. thy companion. Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Proverbs 2:17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. Song of Solomon 1:15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. Jump to Previous Acting Broken Companion Covenant Dealt Early Faith Faithless Marriage Partner Reason Treacherously Wherefore Wife Witness YouthJump to Next Acting Broken Companion Covenant Dealt Early Faith Faithless Marriage Partner Reason Treacherously Wherefore Wife Witness YouthMalachi 2 1. He sharply reproves the priests for neglecting their covenant;10. and the people for marrying strange wives; 13. and for putting away their former ones, 17. and for infidelity. Yet you ask, “Why?” This phrase reflects the people's confusion and lack of understanding regarding God's displeasure with them. It indicates a spiritual blindness or unwillingness to see their own faults. This rhetorical question is common in prophetic literature, where God often addresses the people's ignorance or denial of their sins (e.g., Isaiah 58:3). It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth against whom you have broken faith though she is your companion and your wife by covenant Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who acts as a witness to the faithfulness of His people. 2. The Israelites The original audience of Malachi's prophecy, who were being rebuked for their unfaithfulness in marriage. 3. The Wife of Your Youth Refers to the spouse whom the Israelite men married in their younger years, highlighting the covenantal nature of marriage. 4. Malachi The prophet delivering God's message to the Israelites, calling them to account for their actions. 5. Covenant A solemn agreement or promise, in this context, the marriage covenant between a husband and wife. Teaching Points The Sanctity of MarriageMarriage is a sacred covenant witnessed by God, and breaking it is a serious offense. God as a Witness Recognize that God observes our commitments and holds us accountable for our faithfulness. Faithfulness in Relationships Uphold integrity and loyalty in all relationships, especially in marriage, as a reflection of our faithfulness to God. The Impact of Unfaithfulness Understand that breaking faith in marriage affects not only the individuals involved but also their relationship with God. Restoration and Repentance Seek God's forgiveness and strive for restoration in broken relationships, aligning with His desire for reconciliation. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Malachi 2:14?2. How does Malachi 2:14 emphasize the importance of faithfulness in marriage? 3. What does "the wife of your youth" signify in Malachi 2:14? 4. How can we apply the covenant concept in Malachi 2:14 to modern marriages? 5. What scriptural connections exist between Malachi 2:14 and Ephesians 5:25-33? 6. How does understanding Malachi 2:14 impact our view of marital commitment today? 7. Why does Malachi 2:14 emphasize the importance of faithfulness in marriage? 8. How does Malachi 2:14 address the issue of broken covenants? 9. What historical context influenced the message of Malachi 2:14? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Malachi 2? 11. How to handle attraction to someone else when married? 12. What is a covenant marriage? 13. Malachi 2:14 – If God is a witness to marriage, why do so many believers experience divorce despite this warning? 14. What constitutes the essence of marriage? What Does Malachi 2:14 Mean Yet you ask, “Why?”The people are puzzled that their worship feels futile. • Malachi has just said, “The LORD no longer accepts your offering” (Malachi 2:13). • God’s silence is never random; it invites heart-searching (Psalm 139:23-24; Isaiah 59:1-2). • When outward religion masks inward rebellion, the result is unanswered prayer (Psalm 66:18; 1 Samuel 15:22). It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth • Marriage vows were spoken before family and community, but most importantly before God Himself (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). • “Witness” means He heard every promise and still oversees the relationship (Hebrews 4:13). • The phrase “wife of your youth” calls husbands to remember the tenderness and joy that marked the early days (Proverbs 5:18; Song of Songs 4:10-11). against whom you have broken faith • God labels marital unfaithfulness as treachery—an act of betrayal, not a minor lapse (Exodus 20:14; Hosea 6:7). • Divorce for selfish reasons or ongoing infidelity shatters trust and violates God’s stated hatred of such disloyalty (Malachi 2:16). • By treating marriage casually, the men were treating God casually, for He was the guarantor of their vows (Jeremiah 3:20). though she is your companion • “Companion” highlights friendship, shared life, and mutual help (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). • God designed marriage to be more than physical union; it is emotional and spiritual partnership (1 Peter 3:7). • Neglecting this companionship injures both spouses and undermines the picture of Christ and the church that marriage is meant to portray (Ephesians 5:25-32). and your wife by covenant • A covenant is a sacred, binding agreement witnessed and upheld by God (Proverbs 2:17). • Covenants carry blessings for faithfulness and consequences for violation (Psalm 89:34). • Jesus repeats the covenantal nature of marriage: “What God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew 19:6). • When the covenant is honored, it becomes a platform for godly offspring and enduring testimony (Malachi 2:15). summary Malachi 2:14 confronts men who wondered why God seemed distant. The answer: they had broken covenant with the wives God gave them. Marriage is witnessed by the LORD, forged in covenant, and meant for lifelong companionship. Betraying that bond is betrayal against both spouse and God, cutting off divine favor until repentance and restoration occur. Honor the covenant, cherish the companion, and enjoy the uninterrupted fellowship of the God who stands as faithful Witness. (14) Again with supercilious surprise they ask, "Wherefore?"Witness.--Comp. Genesis 31:49-50 : "The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee." If people would seriously consider the meaning of this verse of Genesis, they would not be so fond of putting MIZPAH on their rings, for it denotes a strong suspicion as to the fidelity of the other party. Verse 14. - Yet ye say, Wherefore? Here is the usual sceptical objection, as in Malachi 1:6, 7. The people will not acknowledge their guiltiness, and ask, "Why is God displeased with us? why are our offerings not acceptable?" The prophet replies, Because the Lord hath been witness, etc. The sin is now disclosed. Their marriages had been made before God; he who first instituted matrimony (Genesis 2:24) was a witness of the contract and gave it his sanction (comp. Genesis 31:50). The wife of thy youth. Whom thou didst marry when thine affections were pure and fresh, and for whom thy love was strong and simple (Proverbs 5:18). Against whom thou hast dealt treacherously; Septuagint, "whom thou hast deserted." This wife of thine thou hast betrayed, breaking faith with her by repudiating her. The wife of thy covenant. With whom thou didst make a solemn vow and covenant, to violate which is a monstrous crime. We have very little information respecting the religious ceremonies connected with a Jewish wedding. The previous espousal was a formal proceeding, conducted by friends and parents, and confirmed by oaths. The actual marriage seems to have been accompanied by certain solemn promises and blessings (see Proverbs 2:17; Ezekiel 16:8; Genesis 24:60; Ruth 4:11, 12; Tobit 7:13; Smith, 'Dict. of Bible').Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Yet you ask,וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם (wa·’ă·mar·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say “Why?” עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against It is because עַ֡ל (‘al) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the LORD יְהוָה֩ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel has been a witness הֵעִ֨יד (hê·‘îḏ) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5749: To duplicate, repeat, to protest, testify, to encompass, restore between you בֵּינְךָ֜ (bê·nə·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's 996: An interval, space between and וּבֵ֣ין ׀ (ū·ḇên) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 996: An interval, space between the wife אֵ֣שֶׁת (’ê·šeṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female of your youth, נְעוּרֶ֗יךָ (nə·‘ū·re·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5271: Youth, the state, the persons against whom אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that you אַתָּה֙ (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you have broken faith, בָּגַ֣דְתָּה (bā·ḡaḏ·tāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 898: To cover, to act covertly, to pillage though she is וְהִ֥יא (wə·hî) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are your companion חֲבֶרְתְּךָ֖ (ḥă·ḇer·tə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 2278: A consort and your wife וְאֵ֥שֶׁת (wə·’ê·šeṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female by covenant. בְּרִיתֶֽךָ׃ (bə·rî·ṯe·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1285: A covenant Links Malachi 2:14 NIVMalachi 2:14 NLT Malachi 2:14 ESV Malachi 2:14 NASB Malachi 2:14 KJV Malachi 2:14 BibleApps.com Malachi 2:14 Biblia Paralela Malachi 2:14 Chinese Bible Malachi 2:14 French Bible Malachi 2:14 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Malachi 2:14 Yet you say 'Why?' Because Yahweh has (Malachi Mal Ml) |
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