At a glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authorship | Malachi ("my messenger", may be title) |
| Date | ~430 BC (final OT prophet) |
| Audience | Post-exilic Judah ~100 years after return |
| Genre | Prophecy |
| Purpose | Confront half-hearted worship + announce coming Day + Elijah |
| Chapters | 3 (Hebrew) / 4 (English) |
Outline
Six disputations with priests + people on:
- Priests' corruption
- Mixed marriages + divorce
- Tithing
- Coming Day of LORD
Main themes
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Priestly corruption | Half-hearted offerings + worship |
| Marriage covenant | Mal.2.14-16, God hates divorce |
| Tithing + giving | Mal.3.10, "bring the full tithe" |
| Coming Day | Refining fire + righteousness |
| Elijah to come | Mal.4.5-6 (fulfilled in John the Baptist; cf. Mat.11.14; 17:10-13) |
Key passages
- Mal.1.6-14, corrupt offerings
- Mal.2.14-16, marriage covenant + divorce
- Mal.3.6, "I the LORD do not change"
- Mal.3.10, tithing promise
- Mal.4.5-6, Elijah coming
Closing of OT
Malachi closes the OT with anticipation of Elijah figure → fulfilled in John the Baptist → ushers in NT era of Messiah.