Malachi 2:4

4. When these things come to pass the priests will be convinced that Jehovah has sent the threats just uttered.

This commandment Contained in Malachi 2:2-3 (see on Malachi 2:1).

That my covenant might be with Levi This is undoubtedly the proper translation. All that Jehovah will do or has threatened to do is for the purpose of maintaining the covenant made in ancient times with Levi, which demanded of the priests holiness and assigned to them an important place in the working out of the divine plan of redemption. Jehovah would maintain that covenant, though to do this he would be compelled to cut off the entire present order of priests. Not all Levites were priests, and from these other Levites a new priesthood might be raised up, with which the old covenant might be continued. Over against this interpretation there is another view, which translates, “that it may be my covenant with Levi.” It is made to refer back to commandment in the preceding clause, and the meaning of the clause is thought to be that the commandment or threat contained in Malachi 2:2-3 will henceforth determine the attitude of Jehovah toward Levi; it, so to speak, will take the place of the former covenant. The first interpretation is to be preferred because (1) it follows more closely the Hebrew; (2) it fits better into the prophet’s argument.

Levi Meaning the tribe of Levi, to which the priests belonged. Malachi evidently holds the view concerning the origin of the priesthood among the Hebrews that is set forth in the Pentateuch. For the covenant with Levi, that is, the appointment of the priests, their privileges and obligations, see passages like Numbers 18:1 ff; Numbers 25:10 ff.; Deuteronomy 10:8-9; Deuteronomy 33:8-10.

The reference to the covenant with Levi (Malachi 2:4) leads the prophet to describe in Malachi 2:5-6 the true nature of this covenant; in Malachi 2:7 he points out what in the light of this covenant the character of the priests should be; with these ideals he contrasts the conduct of the priests whom he condemns (8), and he closes with a reiteration of the sentence of judgment (Malachi 2:9).