Malachi 2:2. I will even send a curse upon you— I will send a famine upon you. The last clause should be rendered, Yea, I will therefore curse them [that is to say, the blessings], because you do not repent. I will curse your blessings, means "those gifts which are brought to you from the productions of the earth;" for these productions are frequently called blessings in Scripture. read more
1. for you—The priests in particular are reproved, as their part was to have led the people aright, and reproved sin, whereas they encouraged and led them into sin. Ministers cannot sin or suffer alone. They drag down others with them if they fall [MOORE]. read more
2. lay . . . to heart—My commands. send a curse—rather, as Hebrew, "the curse"; namely, that denounced in Deuteronomy 27:15-26; Deuteronomy 28:15-68. curse your blessings—turn the blessings you enjoy into curses ( :-). cursed them—Hebrew, them severally; that is, I have cursed each one of your blessings. read more
Malachi announced an admonition to the priests from the Lord. If they did not pay attention to His rebuke and sincerely desire to honor Yahweh’s name, the Lord would curse them (cf. Deuteronomy 27:15-26; Deuteronomy 28:15-68). He would cut off their blessings; troubles would plague their lives. Blessing was their business, and by cursing their blessings the Lord would render their pronounced blessings vain. This curtailment of blessing may also include their income from the people as well as... read more
E. Negative motivation: the results of disobedience 2:1-9Whereas the emphasis in Malachi’s argument shifts at this point somewhat from the sins of the priests (cf. Malachi 1:6; Malachi 2:1) to their possible fate, there is a continuing emphasis on their sins. In the preceding sections (Malachi 1:6-14) the cultic activity of the priests (i.e., offering sacrifices) was prominent, but in this one (Malachi 2:1-9) their teaching ministry is. As with the second hortatory discourse (Malachi 2:10 to... read more
II. THE PRIESTS EXHORTED NOT TO DISHONOR THE LORD (THE THEOLOGICAL ANGLE) 1:2-2:9"Malachi’s first address is governed by the ironic exhortation in Malachi 1:10, ’Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors.’ It is directed against the priests of the postexilic temple. Despite their responsibility under the covenant of Levi (cf. Malachi 2:4; Malachi 2:8) to be the Lord’s messengers of Torah (Malachi 2:7), they were dishonoring the Lord (Malachi 1:6), particularly in their careless attitude... read more
2The Degeneracy of the Priesthood1. A reminder to the priests that they are to blame for the laxity denounced in Malachi 1:13, Malachi 1:14. They are responsible for the offering of fit victims, which in some cases it was their duty to provide.3. I will corrupt your seed] RV ’I will rebuke the seed for your sake’; but the threat of a curse on the crops does not appear to be specially applicable to the priests. A very slight change in the Heb. which has been suggested, gives the admirable sense,... read more
(1) Commandment.—Better, decree. (Comp. the use of the verb from which this substantive is derived in Nahum 1:14; Psalms 7:6; Psalms 42:8.) read more
II.(1-9) The decree against the priests. read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Malachi 2:1
Malachi 2:1. This commandment is for you— This decree is for you, or, this is decreed concerning you; for here is no commandment given to the priest, only punishment is denounced upon them, if they do not repent. read more