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.
Read it in contextThe Polluted Offerings
Start reading at Malachi 1:6 (Malachi 1:6 to Malachi 1:14).
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.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The rebuke exposes dishonoring worship and the priests' failure in their covenant responsibilities.
1:6A 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?
1:7Ye 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.
1:8And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.
1:9And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts.
1:10Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
1:11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
1:12But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.
1:13Ye 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.
1:14But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
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 1:1–1:14): The LORD addresses Israel concerning His love and challenges the priests over dishonoring His name in their offerings. 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 Polluted Offerings. Read Malachi 1:6 through Malachi 1:14 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The rebuke exposes dishonoring worship and the priests' failure in their covenant responsibilities. 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 Polluted Offerings (Malachi 1:6 to Malachi 1:14).
Start reading at Malachi 1:6. 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.
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 1:6, Malachi 1:14, Malachi 3:1, Matthew 11:10, Malachi 4:5, Luke 1:17
Who wrote it, and how we know
MalachiNamed 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.
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 1
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
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.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening dispute answers the people's question concerning the LORD's love by contrasting Israel and Edom.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The rebuke exposes dishonoring worship and the priests' failure in their covenant responsibilities.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Malachi
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
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.
Connection to the wholeThe answer to complaints about justice announces the messenger and purification and calls the people to return in their covenant obligations.
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.