Malachi 2:5

5. Was… of life and peace Literally, was the life and the peace; that is, it aimed at life and peace. The article indicates that a specific kind of life and peace is in the mind of the author.

Life The continued existence as priests of Jehovah, equivalent to everlasting priesthood (Numbers 25:13).

Peace “The sum of all the blessings requisite for well-being” (compare Numbers 25:12). This twofold blessing Jehovah guaranteed to Levi. The construction of the rest of Malachi 2:5 is somewhat obscure. R.V. renders, “and I gave them to him that he might fear; and he feared me, and stood in awe of my name.” This is preferable to A.V., but it is incorrect in translating “that he might fear” and in connecting these words with the preceding clause, “I gave them to him.” “That he might fear” A.V. renders more accurately “for the fear,” the italics indicating that the preposition is not in the original; literally, the fear. Here again the article is used to show that a particular kind of fear is meant, namely, the fear of Jehovah. What has been said thus far may lead to a right understanding of the grammatical construction of Malachi 2:5. Fear occupies the same position in the sentence as life and peace; so that Malachi 2:5 may be translated or paraphrased, “My covenant was with him; (my obligation being to give to him) the life and the peace, and I gave them to him; (his obligation being to give to me) the fear, and he feared me and stood in awe of me.” Fear… feared… stood in awe (R.V. ) Fear of Jehovah is the Old Testament term for piety; it means a reverential attitude toward Jehovah, resulting in obedience of life and conduct. This Jehovah demanded of Levi, who promised to give it, and kept his promise.

My name See on Malachi 1:6, and references there.