FocusRemembrance, judgment, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe final dispute contrasts those who fear the LORD with the wicked and closes with the call to remember the law and the promise concerning Elijah.
interpretation Malachi 4:5
KJVBehold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
Read it in context
The Day of the LORD
Start reading at Malachi 4:1 (Malachi 4:1 to Malachi 4:6).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The final dispute contrasts those who fear the LORD with the wicked and closes with the call to remember the law and the promise concerning Elijah.
- 4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
- 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
- 4:3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
- 4:4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
- 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
- 4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Malachi is the name traditionally given to the prophet. The Hebrew expression can also mean my messenger, so whether it is a personal name or designation is debated. Biblical references: Malachi 1:1. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Malachi 3:1–4:6): The people are challenged about justice, giving, and their words against God. Those who fear the LORD are distinguished from the wicked, and Israel is called to remember Moses' law. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israel's restored community, including priests and people whose worship, covenant conduct, and faithfulness are challenged. Biblical references: Malachi 1:1; Malachi 1:6; Malachi 2:1; Malachi 3:7. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Day of the LORD. Read Malachi 4:1 through Malachi 4:6 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The final dispute contrasts those who fear the LORD with the wicked and closes with the call to remember the law and the promise concerning Elijah. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The text reflects a functioning temple and refers to a governor, but it does not supply a royal year in its opening. A precise date is an inference from that setting. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The address is to Israel, with priests, temple offerings, households, and covenant life in view. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Day of the LORD (Malachi 4:1 to Malachi 4:6). Start reading at Malachi 4:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The Gospels connect the promised messenger with John the Baptist's preparatory ministry. Read that connection with Malachi's concern for purification and covenant faithfulness. See Malachi 3:1, Matthew 11:10, Malachi 4:5, Luke 1:17. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Honor God in worship and deal faithfully with others. Commands and rebukes concerning priests, offerings, and tithes need their covenant setting stated before a modern application is drawn. interpretation
Cited: Malachi 4:1, Malachi 4:6, Malachi 3:1, Matthew 11:10, Malachi 4:5, Luke 1:17
Who wrote it, and how we know
Malachi
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens as the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.
Malachi 1:1
Early traditionTradition names Malachi.
What is debatedThe name means my messenger, so a few have argued it is a title rather than a name.
Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment
The notes distinguish explicit fulfillment statements from other explicit New Testament applications. They do not assume every detail of the surrounding prophecy has already been fulfilled.
John in the spirit and power of Elijah
NT explicitly applies this passage
- Old Testament: Malachi 4:5–6 (current passage)
- New Testament: Luke 1:13–17
- New Testament: Matthew 11:11–15
- New Testament: Matthew 17:10–13
Luke describes John’s mission in the spirit and power of Elijah. Matthew records Jesus’ application of the Elijah expectation to John. This identifies the prophetic role, not reincarnation or a denial of John’s own testimony in John 1:21.
Related passages
- I will Mal 3:1 Isa 40:3 Matt 11:13-14 Matt 17:10-13 Matt 27:47-49 Mark 9:11-13 Luke 1:17 Luke 7:26-28
- great Mal 4:1 Joel 2:31 Acts 2:19-20 Rev 6:17
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Malachi 4
Malachi addresses Israel through disputations concerning the LORD's love, worship, relationships, justice, and covenant faithfulness. Its named audience and temple setting remain important when applying its rebukes. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Malachi 1:1 Malachi 2:1 Malachi 3:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Malachi
Malachi addresses Israel through disputations concerning the LORD's love, worship, relationships, justice, and covenant faithfulness. Its named audience and temple setting remain important when applying its rebukes.
Malachi 1:1 Malachi 2:1 Malachi 3:1
The LORD's love questioned
Malachi 1:1–5FocusIsrael and Edom
Connection to the wholeThe opening dispute answers the people's question concerning the LORD's love by contrasting Israel and Edom.
interpretation The priests' worship rebuked
Malachi 1:6–2:9FocusHonor, offerings, and covenant service
Connection to the wholeThe rebuke exposes dishonoring worship and the priests' failure in their covenant responsibilities.
interpretation Faithlessness in relationships
Malachi 2:10–16FocusCovenant dealings with one another
Connection to the wholeThe address turns to communal and marital faithlessness, retaining the covenant frame of the dispute.
interpretation The coming messenger and the call to return
Malachi 2:17–3:12FocusPurification, justice, and obedience
Connection to the wholeThe answer to complaints about justice announces the messenger and purification and calls the people to return in their covenant obligations.
interpretation FocusRemembrance, judgment, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe final dispute contrasts those who fear the LORD with the wicked and closes with the call to remember the law and the promise concerning Elijah.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.