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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Malachi 1:1-5

The prophecy of this book is entitled, The burden of the word of the Lord (Mal. 1:1), which intimates, 1. That it was of great weight and importance; what the false prophets said was light as the chaff, what the true prophets said was ponderous as the wheat, Jer. 23:38. 2. That it ought to be often repeated to them and by them, as the burden of a song. 3. That there were those to whom it was a burden and a reproach; they were weary of it, and found themselves so aggrieved by it that they were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Malachi 1:4

Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished ,.... Or the Idumeans, as the Targum; the posterity of Esau, who acknowledge themselves greatly reduced by the desolations made in their country, cities, towns, and houses, being plundered of all their valuable things. Kimchi interprets it, if the congregation of Edom should say, though we are become poor and low, and our land is laid waste: but we will return ; being now become rich, as the Targum adds; that is, as Jarchi explains it, with the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Malachi 1:4

They shall build, but I will throw down - We have already seen enough of the wickedness of the Edomites to justify the utmost severity of Divine justice against them. The pulling down predicted here was by Judas Maccabeus; see 1 Maccabees 5:65; and by John Hyrcanus; see Joseph Antiq., lib. 13 c. 9. s. 1. They shall call them, The border of wickedness - A wicked land. Among this people scarcely any trace of good could ever be noted. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Malachi 1:4

Verse 4 And to the same purpose he adds, If Edom shall say, We have been diminished, but we shall return and build houses; but if they build, I will pull down, saith God. He confirms what I have stated, that the posterity of Edom had no hope of restoration, for however they might gather courage and diligently labor in rebuilding their cities, they were not yet to succeed, for God would pull down all their buildings. This difference then was like a living representation, by which the Jews might... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 1:1-5

The sovereignty of God in relation to man's secular condition of life. "The burden of the word of the Lord," etc. Malachi—which means "Messenger" the last of the Hebrew prophets, is a man whose personal history is wrapped in utter obscurity. He is supposed to have lived after Haggai and Zechariah, and to be contemporary with Nehemiah. It is likely that he occupied a relationship to Nehemiah somewhat analogous to that which Haggai and Zechariah sustained to Zerubbabel. The general opinion... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 1:2-5

§ 2. The prophet declares God's special love for Israel read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 1:2-5

The sovereign love of God. Remembering that the scriptural sense of "hate" in this and corresponding passages is to love less in comparison, or to reject when there is a competition of claims, we nevertheless learn from this passage— I. THAT GOD 'S LOVE TO INDIVIDUALS AND TO NATIONS IS A SOVEREIGN LOVE . By this we mean that it is a love which bestows special favours, for reasons which cannot be discovered in those that enjoy them, but in the gracious purpose of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 1:4

Whereas ; rather, if, or although; Vulgate, quod si. If Edom were to attempt to repair its desolation, the Lord would not permit it—a striking contrast to the national restoration of Israel. We are impoverished; or, as the Revised Version, we are beaten; Septuagint, ἡ ἰδουμαία κατέστραπται , "Idumea has been overthrown." Vulgate, destructl sumus. The desolate places; Vulgate, quae destructa sunt, places once in habited and now deserted. Compare the boast of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 1:4-5

Divine judgments by disappointments. The Lord's dealings with Edom are here introduced as contrasting with the Lord's dealings with Israel. And one chief point of contrast is this—Israel's expectations will be realized; but Edom's expectations will be disappointed. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts. They shall build, but I will throw down." There was an exceedingly bitter feeling between Israel and Edom, dating from the time when Edom insultingly refused to allow the passage of Israel through... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Malachi 1:4

Whereas Edom saith - o.We are impoverished - o, ידשׁשׁ.), or, more probably, “we were crushed.” Either gives an adequate sense. Human self-confidence will admit anything, as to the past; nay, will even exaggerate past evil to itself, “Crush us how they may, we will arise and repair our losses.” So Ephraim said of old Isaiah 9:9-10, “in the pride and stoutness of heart, The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn-stones: the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into... read more

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