Malachi 1:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Malachi 1:6-14

The prophet is here, by a special commission, calling the priests to account, though they were themselves appointed judges, to call the people to an account. Let the rulers in the house of God know that there is one above them, who will reckon with them for their mal-administrations. Thus saith the Lord of hosts to you, O priests! Mal. 1:6. God will have a saying to unfaithful ministers; and it concerns those who speak from God to his people to hear and heed what he says to them, that they may... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Malachi 1:7

Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar ,.... Which some understand of the shewbread, mention being afterwards made of a "table", as Jerom; who observes that it was made of wheat, which the priests themselves sowed, reaped, ground, and baked, and so could take what they would out of it: as for their sowing it, it does not seem likely that they should be employed in such service, whatever may be said for their reaping; since the sheaf of the first fruits was reaped by persons deputed from the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Malachi 1:7

Ye offer polluted bread - The priests, probably to ingratiate themselves with the people, took the refuse beasts, etc., and offered them to God; and thus the sacrificial ordinances were rendered contemptible. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Malachi 1:7

Verse 7 It was indeed the office of the priests to place bread daily on the table; but whence could bread be obtained except some were offered? Now nothing was lost to the priests, when they daily set bread before God, for they presently received it; and thus they preferred, as it was more to their advantage, to offer bread well approved, made of fine flour: but as I have said, their own convenience interposed, for they thought that they could not prevail with the people — “If we irritate these... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 1:6-9

The profession and the practice of religion. "A 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?" etc. The subject of these words is the profession and the practice of religion; and they suggest two thoughts. I. THE PROFESSION AND THE PRACTICE SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 1:6-14

§ 3. Israel had shown no gratitude for all these proofs of God's love, and the very priests had been the chief offenders by offering defective sacrifices, and profaning the temple worship. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 1:7

Ye offer polluted bread ( food ) upon mine altar. The prophet answers the priests simply by detailing some of their practices. The "bread" ( lechem ) is not the shewbread, which was not offered on the altar, but the flesh of the offered victims (see Le Malachi 3:11 , Malachi 3:16 ; 21:6; 22:25). This was "polluted" in that it was not offered in due accordance with the ceremonial Law, as is further explained in the next verse. Wherein have we polluted thee? They did not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 1:7

Polluted bread; or, priestly sins. What was consumed upon the altar was regarded as God's portion, and may, in a figure, be called "the bread of God." "The offerings of the Lord made by fire, and the bread of God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy" (Le 21:6). By "polluted bread" we are to understand maimed and blemished sacrifices. The Divine reproach is that the priests show how little value they have for the worship of God, since they do not care in how slight and contemptuous... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Malachi 1:7-8

Irreverence-its causes and signs. Notice how in many places Malachi puts the thoughts of sinners into bold and bald words. He interprets their conduct in speech, that they may see the offensiveness of their thoughts and acts. Sins of the heart may sometimes be best exposed by translating them into unsubmissive or even impious prayers. They cannot endure the light when they are paraded in speech under the scrutiny of our fellow men. Still less can they tolerate the brightness that proceeds... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Malachi 1:7

Offering polluted bread upon Mine altar - This, continuing on the words, “despisers of My Name,” , is the answer to their question, “Wherein have we despised Thy Name?” “Bread” might stand, in itself, either for the showbread, or for the מנחה minchāh, meal-offering, which was the necessary accompaniment of sacrifices and sometimes the whole.But here the “polluted bread” cannot be the showbread, since this was not put upon the altar, but upon its own table; and although the altar is, as here,... read more

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