Malachi 1:13 Study 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.

◄ Malachi 1:13 ►

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.

Study Bible

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.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Malachi
The 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. The Israelites
The people of God who are being rebuked for their improper worship practices.

4. The Priests
Religious leaders responsible for offering sacrifices, who are being criticized for their negligence and disrespect.

5. The Temple
The place where sacrifices and offerings are made, central to the worship practices of the Israelites.

Teaching Points

Reverence in Worship
God deserves our best, not our leftovers. Our attitude in worship should reflect His holiness and worthiness.

Integrity in Offerings
Just as the Israelites were rebuked for offering blemished sacrifices, we should examine the quality and sincerity of what we offer to God, whether it be time, resources, or talents.

Heart of Worship
True worship is not just about external actions but the condition of our hearts. We must ensure our worship is genuine and heartfelt.

Accountability of Leaders
Religious leaders are held to a high standard. They must lead by example in offering sincere worship and guiding others to do the same.

God's Unchanging Standards
God's expectations for holiness and sincerity in worship remain consistent. We must strive to meet these standards in our lives today.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the attitude of the Israelites in Malachi 1:13 reflect in our modern-day worship practices?

2. What are some ways we might be offering "blemished sacrifices" in our lives today, and how can we correct this?

3. How do the requirements for offerings in Leviticus 22:20-22 inform our understanding of God's standards for worship?

4. In what ways can church leaders today ensure they are not leading others into the same errors as the priests in Malachi's time?

5. How can we cultivate a heart of genuine worship, as encouraged in Hebrews 13:15-16, in our daily lives?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 22:20-22
This passage outlines the requirements for offerings, emphasizing that they must be without defect. It connects to Malachi 1:13 by highlighting the Israelites' failure to adhere to these standards.

Isaiah 1:11-15
God expresses His disdain for insincere worship and offerings, similar to His rebuke in Malachi.

Matthew 15:8-9
Jesus quotes Isaiah, addressing the issue of honoring God with lips while hearts are far from Him, paralleling the insincere worship in Malachi.

Hebrews 13:15-16
Encourages believers to offer sacrifices of praise and good deeds, contrasting with the unacceptable offerings in Malachi.

Sermons

Religion a Weariness	R. Tuck	Malachi 1:13
A Sordid Religion	Homilist	Malachi 1:10-14
Wrong Worship	Homilist	Malachi 1:10-14
Wrong Worship	D. Thomas	Malachi 1:10-14
Hypocrisy in Public Worship	J. Clayton.	Malachi 1:13-14
Vain Oblations	L. O. Thomson.	Malachi 1:13-14

People

Esau, Jacob, Malachi

Places

Edom, Jerusalem

Topics

Accept, Almighty, Animals, Armies, Beasts, Behold, Breath, Bring, Contemptuously, Crippled, Cut, Damaged, Disdainfully, Diseased, Hands, Hosts, Ill, Injured, Lame, Oblation, Offer, Offering, Pleasing, Plunder, Present, Puffed, Receive, Robbery, Sacrifices, Says, Sick, Sniff, Sniffed, Snuffed, Thus, Tiresome, Torn, Violence, Weariness

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Malachi 1:13

5162 lameness
5171 nose

Malachi 1:6-13

5800 blasphemy

Malachi 1:6-14

     5810   complacency
     5943   self-deception
     8783   neglect

Malachi 1:12-13

5818 contempt

Malachi 1:12-14

5253 cheating

Malachi 1:13-14

     4605   animals, religious role
     5278   cripples
     6118   blemish
     7435   sacrifice, in OT
     8201   blamelessness

Library

Blemished Offerings
'Offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of Hosts.'--MALACHI i. 8. A word of explanation may indicate my purpose in selecting this, I am afraid, unfamiliar text. The Prophet has been vehemently rebuking a characteristic mean practice of the priests, who were offering maimed and diseased animals in sacrifice. They were probably dishonest as well as mean, because the worshippers would bring sound beasts, and the priests, for their own profit, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Dialogue with God
'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? 7. Ye offer polluted bread upon Mine altar. And ye say, Wherein have we polluted Thee?'--MALACHI i. 6, 7. A charactistic of this latest of the prophets is the vivacious dialogue of which our text affords one example. God speaks and the people question …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"Whereby we Cry, Abba, Father. "
Rom. viii. 15.--"Whereby we cry, Abba, Father." All that know any thing of religion, must needs know and confess that there is no exercise either more suitable to him that professeth it, or more needful for him, than to give himself to the exercise of prayer. But that which is confessed by all, and as to the outward performance gone about by many, I fear is yet a mystery sealed up from us, as the true and living nature of it. There is much of it expressed here in few words, "whereby we cry, Abba, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Counter-Reformation
For more than thirty years the new religious movement continued to spread with alarming rapidity. Nation after nation either fell away from the centre of unity or wavered as to the attitude that should be adopted towards the conflicting claims of Rome, Wittenberg, and Geneva, till at last it seemed not unlikely that Catholicism was to be confined within the territorial boundaries of Italy, Spain, and Portugal. That the world was well prepared for such an outburst has been shown already,[1] but it …
Rev. James MacCaffrey—History of the Catholic Church, Renaissance to French Revolution

Whether the Gifts are Set Down by Isaias in their Order of Dignity?
Objection 1: It would seem that the gifts are not set down by Isaias in their order of dignity. For the principal gift is, seemingly, that which, more than the others, God requires of man. Now God requires of man fear, more than the other gifts: for it is written (Dt. 10:12): "And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but that thou fear the Lord thy God?" and (Malachi 1:6): "If . . . I be a master, where is My fear?" Therefore it seems that fear, which is mentioned last, is not …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether God Can be Feared?
Objection 1: It would seem that God cannot be feared. For the object of fear is a future evil, as stated above ([2457]FS, Q[41], AA[2],3). But God is free of all evil, since He is goodness itself. Therefore God cannot be feared. Objection 2: Further, fear is opposed to hope. Now we hope in God. Therefore we cannot fear Him at the same time. Objection 3: Further, as the Philosopher states (Rhet. ii, 5), "we fear those things whence evil comes to us." But evil comes to us, not from God, but from ourselves, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether a Man May Make Oblations of Whatever He Lawfully Possesses?
Objection 1: It would seem that a man may not make oblations of whatever he lawfully possesses. According to human law [*Dig. xii, v, de Condict. ob. turp. vel iniust. caus. 4] "the whore's is a shameful trade in what she does but not in what she takes," and consequently what she takes she possesses lawfully. Yet it is not lawful for her to make an oblation with her gains, according to Dt. 23:18, "Thou shalt not offer the hire of a strumpet . . . in the house of the Lord thy God." Therefore it is …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether God Reprobates any Man?
Objection 1: It seems that God reprobates no man. For nobody reprobates what he loves. But God loves every man, according to (Wis. 11:25): "Thou lovest all things that are, and Thou hatest none of the things Thou hast made." Therefore God reprobates no man. Objection 2: Further, if God reprobates any man, it would be necessary for reprobation to have the same relation to the reprobates as predestination has to the predestined. But predestination is the cause of the salvation of the predestined. Therefore …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the Lord's Supper.
1. The chief of all the abominations set up in opposition to the Lord's Supper is the Papal Mass. A description of it. 2. Its impiety is five-fold. 1. Its intolerable blasphemy in substituting priests to him the only Priest. Objections of the Papists answered. 3. Impiety of the Mass continued. 2. It overthrows the cross of Christ by setting up an altar. Objections answered. 4. Other objections answered. 5. Impiety of the Mass continued. 3. It banishes the remembrance of Christ's death. It crucifies …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

If any one Shall Teach that the House of God and the Assemblies Held Therein...
If any one shall teach that the house of God and the assemblies held therein are to be despised, let him be anathema. Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon V. Whoso styles the house of God contemptible, let him be anathema. This canon is found in the Corpus Juris Canonici, Gratian's Decretum, Pars I., Dist. xxx., c. x. The commentators find nothing to say upon the canon, and in fact the despising of the worship of God's true church is and always has been so common a sin, that it hardly calls for comment; …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

Excursus on the Word Prospherein .
(Dr. Adolph Harnack: Hist. of Dogma [Eng. Tr.] Vol. I. p. 209.) The idea of the whole transaction of the Supper as a sacrifice, is plainly found in the Didache, (c. 14), in Ignatius, and above all, in Justin (I. 65f.) But even Clement of Rome presupposes it, when (in cc. 40-44) he draws a parallel between bishops and deacons and the Priests and Levites of the Old Testament, describing as the chief function of the former (44.4) prospherein ta dora. This is not the place to enquire whether the first …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

Reverence in Prayer
"Lord, teach us to pray."--Luke xi. 1. "Offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee or accept thy person? saith the Lord of Hosts."--Mal. i. 8. IF we were summoned to dine, or to any other audience, with our sovereign, with what fear and trembling should we prepare ourselves for the ordeal! Our fear at the prospect before us would take away all our pride, and all our pleasure, in the great honour that had come to us. And how careful we should be to prepare ourselves, in every possible …
Alexander Whyte—Lord Teach Us To Pray

An Appendix to the Beatitudes
His commandments are not grievous 1 John 5:3 You have seen what Christ calls for poverty of spirit, pureness of heart, meekness, mercifulness, cheerfulness in suffering persecution, etc. Now that none may hesitate or be troubled at these commands of Christ, I thought good (as a closure to the former discourse) to take off the surmises and prejudices in men's spirits by this sweet, mollifying Scripture, His commandments are not grievous.' The censuring world objects against religion that it is difficult …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for Churches.
Text: Philippians 1, 3-11. 3 I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, 5 for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; 6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Whether those to whom Christ's Birth was Made Known were Suitably Chosen?
Objection 1: It would seem that those to whom Christ's birth was made known were not suitably chosen. For our Lord (Mat. 10:5) commanded His disciples, "Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles," so that He might be made known to the Jews before the Gentiles. Therefore it seems that much less should Christ's birth have been at once revealed to the Gentiles who "came from the east," as stated Mat. 2:1. Objection 2: Further, the revelation of Divine truth should be made especially to the friends of God, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Healing the Centurion's Servant.
(at Capernaum.) ^A Matt. VIII. 1, 5-13; ^C Luke VII. 1-10. ^c 1 After he had ended all his sayings in the ears of the people, ^a 1 And when he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. ^c he entered into Capernaum. [Jesus proceeded from the mountain to Capernaum, which was now his home, or headquarters. The multitudes which are now mentioned for the third time were not wearied by his sermon, and so continued to follow him. Their presence showed the popularity of Jesus, and also …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Letter xvi to Rainald, Abbot of Foigny
To Rainald, Abbot of Foigny Bernard declares to him how little he loves praise; that the yoke of Christ is light; that he declines the name of father, and is content with that of brother. 1. In the first place, do not wonder if titles of honour affright me, when I feel myself so unworthy of the honours themselves; and if it is fitting that you should give them to me, it is not expedient for me to accept them. For if you think that you ought to observe that saying, In honour preferring one another …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

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