Read this if you…
- like the prophets who frame oracles as God arguing with a skeptical people
- want the OT's last word before 400 years of silence and the promised Messenger
- care about priestly corruption + faithless-husband rebukes that close the Hebrew canon
Skip this if you…
- don't want to read explicitly religious/Christian texts
Why It Matters
Malachi's promise that Elijah would return became the bridge from the Old Testament to the New. The Gospels point to John the Baptist as that returning Elijah. Its closing lines about turning the hearts of fathers to their children carry across religious traditions.
Depicted in Art
Gold-ground mosaic figure of Malachi with scroll, set within the band of prophets ringing the dome of the Florence Baptistery.
Gaddo Gaddi, 1300
Byzantine mosaic bust of Malachi in robes and chiton, set against a gold ground in the monastery's medallion band.
1100
Half-length panel painting of Malachi holding a scroll inscribed with his prophecy of the Lord coming to his temple, on a gold ground.
1450
Fresco of Malachi seated in the cross-vault, scroll in hand, in the International Gothic manner — one of four prophets ringing the chapel ceiling.
Lorenzo Monaco, 1422
Russian Orthodox icon of Malachi standing in blue chiton and ochre himation, holding a scroll citing Malachi 3:1, from the prophets' tier.
1720
Medieval fresco of Malachi as a gray-bearded prophet in monastic robes, scroll in hand, in the Serbian Orthodox church's apse program.
1335
Marble relief of the prophet Malachi, standing in classical drapery with a scroll, set into the architecture of the Holy House shrine.
Girolamo Lombardo, 1570
Recommended Editions
King James Version
Oxford University Press · 1611
The most influential and commonly quoted translation in English. The prose rhythm everyone else is responding to, even modern translations.
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Deep Dive
What It's About
This summary gives away plot details.
Notable Quotes
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.”