Malachi 1:13 - Exposition

What a weariness is it! The reference is to the table of the Lord. Despising the altar, and performing their duties without heart or faith, the priests found the services an intolerable burden. Vulgate, ecce de labore , which seems to be an excuse of the people, urging that they offer such things as their toil and poverty allow. Septuagint, ταῦτα ἐκ κακοπαθείας ἐστί , which has much the same meaning. The present Hebrew text is represented by the Authorized Version. Ye have snuffed at it; i.e. at the altar. The phrase expresses contempt. "It" has been supposed to be a "scribes' correction" for "me." The Septuagint and Syriac give, "I snorted at them." That which was torn; rather, that which was taken by violence —that which was stolen or unjustly taken. Septuagint, ἁρπάγματα : Ecclesiasticus 34:18 (31:21), "He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous ( μεμωκημένη )" Lame... sick (see Le 22:19-25). Thus ye brought an ( bring the ) offering ( minchah ). Subject to analogous defects is even your meat offering, the accessory to other sacrifices, and therefore it is unacceptable.