Malachi 2:9

9. He must cut them off, though the covenant itself must continue; a priesthood of a different character must be substituted (see on Malachi 2:4).

Therefore have I also The contrast would be brought out more forcibly by rendering, “Therefore I on my part have” (compare Amos 4:6).

Made you contemptible and base In view of Malachi 2:2-3 the tenses should be interpreted as prophetic perfects; Jehovah will surely bring them into contempt by refusing to accept and bless their ministrations (Malachi 1:9-10). When people find out that the priests have lost the divine favor they will heap upon them the ignominies described in Malachi 2:3. The present attitude of Jehovah is the beginning of the fulfillment of the curse.

Before all the people Who now look upon them as their spiritual guides.

According as The judgment will be according to the lex talionis. As they have despised Jehovah (Malachi 1:6-7; Malachi 1:12), so they will be despised by the people.

Ye have not kept my ways The ways marked out by Jehovah, which are uprightness in life and teaching (Malachi 2:6); from these they have swerved (Malachi 2:8).

Have been partial in the law This is only one of their many crimes (compare Malachi 1:6-14). In the law means in the administration or exposition of the law. How this partiality showed itself is not stated, but a passage like Micah 3:11 (compare also Malachi 2:5) may suggest how it was done. The same passage makes it also probable that the statements should not be restricted to decisions in legal disputes. Marti, following Torrey, thinks that this last accusation is out of place, since in the chief condemnation (Malachi 1:6-14) nothing has been said about partiality in the exposition or administration of the law. By omitting one letter and changing one vowel point he secures a text that may be translated, “and have not had regard for me in the law”; the last two clauses, “according as ye have not kept my ways, nor have had regard for me in the law.” A similar expression occurs in Malachi 1:8, translated “accept your persons”=have regard for your persons. The emendation improves the text, but this in itself is not conclusive evidence that it restores the original reading.