Malachi 2:7 - For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Yahweh of Armies.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Malachi 2:7" mean?
Malachi 2:7 is a powerful statement about the responsibilities and expectations placed upon priests in ancient Israel. Let's break it down piece by piece:
"For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge..." This emphasizes that priests were not simply ritual performers. They were expected to be educated and knowledgeable in God's laws, teachings, and wisdom. Their lips (symbolizing their speech and instruction) should actively "guard" or "preserve" this knowledge. They were stewards of sacred understanding.
"...and they should seek the law at his mouth..." This highlights the priest's role as a teacher and interpreter of the law. The people were supposed to actively seek guidance from the priest's teachings. "Seek the law at his mouth" suggests a direct, personal interaction where people would come to the priest for clarification, understanding, and application of God's laws to their lives.
"...for he is the messenger of Yahweh of Armies." This explains the basis for the priest's authority and responsibility. "Messenger" (Hebrew: mal'ak) implies someone sent with a message or representing another. The priest is not speaking on his own authority, but as a representative of God. "Yahweh of Armies" (also translated as "Lord of Hosts") is a title emphasizing God's power and sovereignty, especially in a military context. Therefore, the priest is conveying the message of the all-powerful and sovereign God.
In essence, the verse means:
The priest's primary duty is to possess and preserve divine knowledge.
People should actively seek the priest's guidance in understanding and living according to God's law.
The priest's authority stems from being God's representative, delivering His message to the people.
Significance:
This verse underscores the importance of religious leadership having deep understanding and commitment to their faith's teachings. It also highlights the responsibility of individuals to actively seek religious guidance and apply it to their lives. The verse emphasizes that the priest's role is not merely ceremonial but rather that of a teacher, interpreter, and communicator of divine truth. In the context of Malachi, the prophet is rebuking the priests of his time for failing to live up to these ideals. They had become lax in their duties, corrupt in their practices, and misleading in their teachings. Therefore, the verse serves as a rebuke and a call for reform, reminding the priests of their sacred responsibility.
Malachi 2:7 - For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Yahweh of Armies.
What does "Malachi 2:7" mean?
Malachi 2:7 is a powerful statement about the responsibilities and expectations placed upon priests in ancient Israel. Let's break it down piece by piece:
"For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge..." This emphasizes that priests were not simply ritual performers. They were expected to be educated and knowledgeable in God's laws, teachings, and wisdom. Their lips (symbolizing their speech and instruction) should actively "guard" or "preserve" this knowledge. They were stewards of sacred understanding.
"...and they should seek the law at his mouth..." This highlights the priest's role as a teacher and interpreter of the law. The people were supposed to actively seek guidance from the priest's teachings. "Seek the law at his mouth" suggests a direct, personal interaction where people would come to the priest for clarification, understanding, and application of God's laws to their lives.
"...for he is the messenger of Yahweh of Armies." This explains the basis for the priest's authority and responsibility. "Messenger" (Hebrew: mal'ak) implies someone sent with a message or representing another. The priest is not speaking on his own authority, but as a representative of God. "Yahweh of Armies" (also translated as "Lord of Hosts") is a title emphasizing God's power and sovereignty, especially in a military context. Therefore, the priest is conveying the message of the all-powerful and sovereign God.
In essence, the verse means:
The priest's primary duty is to possess and preserve divine knowledge.
People should actively seek the priest's guidance in understanding and living according to God's law.
The priest's authority stems from being God's representative, delivering His message to the people.
Significance:
This verse underscores the importance of religious leadership having deep understanding and commitment to their faith's teachings. It also highlights the responsibility of individuals to actively seek religious guidance and apply it to their lives. The verse emphasizes that the priest's role is not merely ceremonial but rather that of a teacher, interpreter, and communicator of divine truth. In the context of Malachi, the prophet is rebuking the priests of his time for failing to live up to these ideals. They had become lax in their duties, corrupt in their practices, and misleading in their teachings. Therefore, the verse serves as a rebuke and a call for reform, reminding the priests of their sacred responsibility.