Malachi 4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Malachi 4

We have here proper instructions given us (very proper to close the canon of the Old Testament with), I. Concerning the state of recompence and retribution that is before us, the misery of the wicked and the happiness of the righteous in that state, Mal. 4:1-3. And this is represented to us under a prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem, and the unbelieving Jews with it, and of the comforts and triumphs of those among them that received the gospel. II. Concerning the state of trial and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Malachi 4:1-3

The great and terrible day of the Lord is here prophesied of. This, like the pillar of cloud and fire, shall have a dark side turned towards the Egyptians that fight against God, and a bright side towards the faithful Israelites that follow him: The day cometh, that is, the Lord cometh, the day of the Lord; and it has reference both to the first and to the second coming of Jesus Christ; the day of both was fixed, and should answer the character here given of it. I. In both Christ is a... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Malachi 4:4-6

This is doubtless intended for a solemn conclusion, not only of this prophecy, but of the canon of the Old Testament, and is a plain information that they were not to expect any more sayings nor writing by divine inspiration, any more of the dictates of the Spirit of prophecy, till the beginning of the gospel of the Messiah, which sets aside the Apocrypha as no part of holy writ, and which therefore the Jews never received. Now that prophecy ceases, and is about to be sealed up, there are two... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Malachi 4

INTRODUCTION TO MALACHI 4 This chapter contains an account of the destruction of the wicked Jews, and the happiness of the righteous by the coming of the Messiah; an exhortation to regard the law of Moses; and a description of John the Baptist and his work. The day of Christ's coming, reaching to Jerusalem's destruction, is compared to a burning oven; the wicked Jews to stubble, whose ruin would be utter and complete, Malachi 4:1 the appearance of Christ is signified by the arising of... read more

John Gill

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

For, behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven ,.... Not the day of judgment, as Kimchi and other interpreters, both Jewish and Christian, think; but the day of Christ's coming in his kingdom and power, to take vengeance on the Jewish nation, which burned like an oven, both figuratively and literally; when the wrath of God, which is compared to fire, came upon that people to the uttermost; and when their city and temple were burnt about their ears, and they were surrounded with fire,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Malachi 4:2

But unto you that fear my name ,.... The few that were of this character among that wicked nation; See Gill on Malachi 3:16 , shall the Sun of righteousness arise ; not the Holy Ghost, who enlightens sinners, convinces of righteousness, and gives joy, peace, and comfort to the saints, but Christ: and thus it is interpreted of him by the ancient Jews, in one of their Midrashes or expositions F1 Shemot Rabba, sect. 31. fol. 134. 2. ; they say, Moses says not they shall be for ever... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Malachi 4:3

And ye shall tread down the wicked ,.... As grapes in the winepress, as Christ did before them, Isaiah 63:2 and they by virtue of him; who makes them more than conquerors through himself, over all their enemies, spiritual and temporal: for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet ; this refers to the burning of them, Malachi 4:1 and may be literally understood of their being burnt with the city and temple; when afterwards, as Grotius observes, the city of Jerusalem being in... read more

John Gill

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

Remember ye the law of Moses my servant ,.... Who was faithful as such in the house of God, in delivering the law to the children of Israel, which was given him; and who are called upon to remember it, its precepts and its penalties, which they were apt to forget: and particularly this exhortation is given now, because no other prophet after Malachi would be sent unto them, this is what they should have and use as their rule and directory; and because that Christ, now prophesied of, would be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Malachi 4:5

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet ,.... Not the Tishbite, as the Septuagint version wrongly inserts instead of prophet; not Elijah in person, who lived in the times of Ahab; but John the Baptist, who was to come in the power and spirit of Elijah, Luke 1:17 between whom there was a great likeness in their temper and disposition; in their manner of clothing, and austere way of living; in their courage and integrity in reproving vice; and in their zeal and usefulness in the cause of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Malachi 4:6

And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children ,.... Or "with" the children, as Kimchi; and Ben Melech observes, that על is put for עם , and so in the next clause: and the heart of the children to their fathers ; or "with" their fathers; that is, both fathers and children: the meaning is, that John the Baptist should be an instrument of converting many of the Jews, both fathers and children, and bringing them to the knowledge and faith of the true Messiah; and reconcile... read more

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