Malachi 2:15-16

Malachi 2:15 b is an exhortation to discontinue the practices condemned in Malachi 2:14.

Take heed to your spirit Identical in meaning with “lay to heart” (Malachi 2:2) and “take heed to yourselves” (Jeremiah 17:21; Deuteronomy 4:15). The Hebrew reads in the last clause “the wife of thy youth,” which should be changed so the English translations into “his youth,” or, following some of the ancient versions, the whole sentence should read, “and deal not treacherously with the wife of thy youth.”

Malachi 2:16 supports the exhortation of 15b.

That he hateth Better, R.V., “I hate” (see on Amos 5:21). He hates and must hate abominations of every sort.

Putting away A common expression for divorcing a wife. In Deuteronomy 24:1-5, provision is made for divorce under certain conditions; Malachi seems nearer the spirit of Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:3 ff., than Deuteronomy. The condemnation of the custom by Malachi implies that in his day the law was wantonly abused.

For one covereth violence with his garment R.V., “and him that covereth his garment with violence” do I hate; literally, and one covers with violence his garment. If the literal translation is accepted Malachi 2:16 presents two reasons why the hearers should discontinue their practices: (1) Jehovah hates their conduct; (2) by it they cover themselves with violence or sin. R.V. co-ordinates these words with the preceding clause and renders, “and him that covereth his garment with violence” (by putting away his wife); such a one also Jehovah hates. If his garment could be understood as equivalent to his wife so after Arabic analogies, Hitzig, Ewald, and others, but Hebrew usage does not favor it this would give good sense; but the general thought that God hates the sinner, appears out of place in the midst of the specific denunciations of this section. One can hardly suppress a suspicion that here also the text has suffered. The section closes with a repetition of the exhortation to desist from the reprehensible conduct.