Malachi
About this date: Dates are broad scholarly estimates of composition or final editing, not dates of the events narrated. Traditional attributions and scholarly assessments can differ.
Malachi presents disputes over worship, fidelity, justice, and the apparent prosperity of wrongdoers. Its closing messenger and Elijah expectations become important in the Gospels' presentation of John the Baptist.
Historical context
The book reflects temple worship in the Persian-period community in many scholarly readings. Malachi can mean my messenger; whether it functions as a personal name is debated.
Key points
- The dispute form repeatedly exposes a gap between professed belief and practice.
- The refining messenger imagery is connected with judgment on exploitation.
- Christian identification of John with Elijah concerns prophetic role and expectation, not a claim that John is literally Elijah reincarnated.
Scripture
- Malachi 1:6-14 — The priestly dispute concerns the honor shown to God in worship.
- Malachi 3:1-7 — The messenger's arrival is followed by purification and judgment against injustice.
- Malachi 4:1-6 — The closing day-of-the-Lord and Elijah material uses common English numbering; some editions place it at the end of chapter 3.
- Luke 1:13-17 — Luke describes John's mission in the spirit and power of Elijah, explicitly connecting role and expectation.
Sources and further reading
- Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles: canonical books and Apocrypha
- Catholic Catechism §120: canon and book list
- Malachi: complete public-domain WEB text
- Orthodox Church in America: canon of Scripture
- Orthodox Church in America: Old Testament historical books
- USCCB Bible introductions: historical and literary notes