Malachi 1:7-8

7, 8. The insult consists in the presentation upon Jehovah’s altar of gifts and sacrifices which they would not dare to offer to an earthly ruler.

Ye offer The priests. They should have refused to accept improper offerings from the worshipers (Leviticus 22:17-25), and should have instructed them in their duties (Malachi 2:7), but they did not guard the interests of Jehovah.

Bread Or, food. Here in the more specific sense of food of the Deity, that is, sacrifice, which is called bread of God (Leviticus 21:6; Leviticus 21:8; Ezekiel 44:7).

Polluted Or, unclean. The sacrifice is so called because (1) it was offered in a spirit of hypocrisy; (2) the animals presented were blemished and therefore unfit for sacrifice (Malachi 1:8; Malachi 1:12; compare Leviticus 22:17-25). This accusation also is resented.

Wherein have we polluted thee? The idea underlying the question is that to touch or eat anything unclean makes a person unclean (compare Ezekiel 13:19; Haggai 2:13). The question does not follow naturally upon the preceding accusation, which already supplies an answer to it, nor is the succeeding clause a suitable answer. LXX. gives a preferable reading, “Wherewith have we polluted it? ” that is, the bread which the prophet has called polluted. To which the prophet replies, By saying that the table of Jehovah is contemptible. This they have said not in words but by the actions described in Malachi 1:8.

Table As sacrifice is called food, so the altar may be called a table.

Contemptible In the sense that anything is good enough for it.

In 8a the prophet points out how they show their contempt for the altar and for Jehovah.

If Better, R.V., “when.”

Ye offer the blind Therefore unfit for sacrifice (Leviticus 22:22).

Is it not evil? Better, R.V., “it is no evil!” The words are used ironically; according to their own notions it is no evil.

Lame and sick Also unfit for sacrifice (Leviticus 22:20-25; Deuteronomy 15:21). Would they dare to present such gifts to an earthly governor? But if not, how can they justify themselves for presenting them to one greater than he?

Offer R.V., “Present,” as a gift. The sacrifices are gifts presented to Jehovah.

Thy governor At this time probably a Persian, whose favor might be bought; but he would refuse to have anything to do with a present of little or no value, and with the person presenting such gift.