Malachi 1:14
New International Version
“Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the LORD Almighty, “and my name is to be feared among the nations.

New Living Translation
“Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations!

English Standard Version
Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.

Berean Standard Bible
“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.

King James Bible
But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.

New King James Version
“But cursed be the deceiver Who has in his flock a male, And takes a vow, But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished— For I am a great King,” Says the LORD of hosts, “And My name is to be feared among the nations.

New American Standard Bible
“But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King,” says the LORD of armies, “and My name is feared among the nations.”

NASB 1995
“But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King,” says the LORD of hosts, “and My name is feared among the nations.”

NASB 1977
“But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock, and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King,” says the LORD of hosts, “and My name is feared among the nations.”

Legacy Standard Bible
“But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King,” says Yahweh of hosts, “and My name is feared among the nations.”

Amplified Bible
“But cursed is the swindler who has a male in his flock and vows [to offer] it, but sacrifices to the Lord a blemished or diseased thing! For I am a great King,” says the LORD of hosts, “and My name is to be [reverently and greatly] feared among the nations.”

Christian Standard Bible
“The deceiver is cursed who has an acceptable male in his flock and makes a vow but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Armies, “and my name will be feared among the nations.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The deceiver is cursed who has an acceptable male in his flock and makes a vow but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says Yahweh of Hosts, “and My name will be feared among the nations.”

American Standard Version
But cursed be the deceiver, who hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a blemished thing; for I am a great King, saith Jehovah of hosts, and my name is terrible among the Gentiles.

Contemporary English Version
Instead of offering the acceptable animals you have promised, you bring me those that are unhealthy. I will punish you for this, because I am the great King, the LORD All-Powerful, and I am worshiped by nations everywhere.

English Revised Version
But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a blemished thing: for I am a great king, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is terrible among the Gentiles.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Cheaters are under a curse. They have male animals in their flocks that they vow to give [as a sacrifice]. But they sacrifice second-rate ones to the Lord instead. I am a great king," says the LORD of Armies. "Among the nations my name is respected.

Good News Translation
A curse on the cheater who sacrifices a worthless animal to me, when he has in his flock a good animal that he promised to give me! For I am a great king, and people of all nations fear me."

International Standard Version
"Cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock, and vows to give it, but sacrifices a mutilated one to the LORD. Indeed, I am a great king," says the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, "and my name is feared among the Gentiles."

Majority Standard Bible
“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.

NET Bible
"There will be harsh condemnation for the hypocrite who has a valuable male animal in his flock but vows and sacrifices something inferior to the Lord. For I am a great king," says the LORD who rules over all, "and my name is awesome among the nations."

New Heart English Bible
"But the deceiver is cursed, who has in his flock a male, and vows, and sacrifices to the LORD a blemished thing; for I am a great King," says the LORD of hosts, "and my name is awesome among the nations."

Webster's Bible Translation
But cursed be the deceiver, who hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth to the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.

World English Bible
“But the deceiver is cursed who has in his flock a male, and vows and sacrifices to the Lord a defective thing; for I am a great King,” says Yahweh of Armies, “and my name is awesome among the nations.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“And a deceiver [is] cursed, who has in his drove a male, "" And is vowing, and is sacrificing a marred thing to the Lord, "" For I [am] a great King,” said YHWH of Hosts, "" “And My Name [is] revered among nations!”

Young's Literal Translation
And cursed is a deceiver, who hath in his drove a male, And is vowing, and is sacrificing a marred thing to the Lord, For a great king am I, said Jehovah of Hosts, And My name is revered among nations!

Smith's Literal Translation
And cursed he deceiving, and there is in his flock a male, and he vowed and sacrificed a corrupt thing to Jehovah: for I am a great king, said Jehovah of armies, and my name terrible among the nations.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Cursed is the deceitful man that hath in his flock a male, and making a vow offereth in sacrifice that which is feeble to the Lord: for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the Gentiles.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Cursed is the deceitful, who holds in his flock a male, and, when making a vow, offers in sacrifice that which is feeble to the Lord. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the Gentiles.

New American Bible
Cursed is the cheat who has in his flock an intact male, and vows it, but sacrifices to the LORD a defective one instead; For a great king am I, says the LORD of hosts, and my name is feared among the nations.

New Revised Standard Version
Cursed be the cheat who has a male in the flock and vows to give it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished; for I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name is reverenced among the nations.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Cursed be he who has in his flock a ram, and vows and sacrifices for the LORD that which is sick; for I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreaded among the Gentiles.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And cursed is he whoever has a ram in his flock, and he vowed and sacrificed what is sick to LORD JEHOVAH, for I am the great King, says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts, and my name is awesome among the Gentiles
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But cursed be he that dealeth craftily, Whereas he hath in his flock a male, And voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a blemished thing; For I am a great King, Saith the LORD of hosts, And My name is feared among the nations.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And cursed is the man who had the power, and possessed a male in his flock, and whose vow is upon him, and who sacrifices a corrupt thing to the Lord: for I am a great King, saith the Lord Almighty, and my name is glorious among the nations.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Polluted Offerings
13You also say: ‘Oh, what a nuisance!’ And you turn up your nose at it,” says the LORD of Hosts. “You bring offerings that are stolen, lame, or sick! Should I accept these from your hands?” asks the LORD. 14“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.

Cross References
Isaiah 45:23
By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.

Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Romans 14:11
It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.”

Psalm 47:2
How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth!

Psalm 113:3
From where the sun rises to where it sets, the name of the LORD is praised.

Zechariah 14:9
On that day the LORD will become King over all the earth—the LORD alone, and His name alone.

Revelation 19:16
And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

Jeremiah 10:6-7
There is none like You, O LORD. You are great, and Your name is mighty in power. / Who would not fear You, O King of nations? This is Your due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.

Psalm 72:11
May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.

Psalm 86:9
All the nations You have made will come and bow before You, O Lord, and they will glorify Your name.

Isaiah 66:18-19
“And I, knowing their deeds and thoughts, am coming to gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see My glory. / I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from among them to the nations—to Tarshish, Put, and the archers of Lud; to Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. So they will proclaim My glory among the nations.

Matthew 23:16-22
Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ / You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? / And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ ...

Hebrews 6:13
When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,

Deuteronomy 10:17
For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe.

1 Timothy 6:15
which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time.


Treasury of Scripture

But cursed be the deceiver, which has in his flock a male, and vows, and sacrifices to the LORD a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, said the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.

cursed.

Malachi 3:9
Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Genesis 27:12
My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.

Joshua 7:11,12
Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff…

which hath in his flock.

Ecclesiastes 5:4,5
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed…

Mark 12:41-44
And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much…

Mark 14:8
She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

for.

Malachi 1:8,11
And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts…

Deuteronomy 28:58
If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;

Psalm 47:2
For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

my name.

Psalm 68:35
O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

Psalm 76:12
He shall cut off the spirit of princes: he is terrible to the kings of the earth.

Daniel 9:4
And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

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Acceptable Almighty Armies Awesome Cheat Corrupt Craftily Cursed Dealeth Deceiver Dreadful Feared Flock Great Heathen Hosts Male Nations Sacrifices Sacrificeth Voweth Vows Whereas
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Acceptable Almighty Armies Awesome Cheat Corrupt Craftily Cursed Dealeth Deceiver Dreadful Feared Flock Great Heathen Hosts Male Nations Sacrifices Sacrificeth Voweth Vows Whereas
Malachi 1
1. Malachi complains of Israel's unkindness;
2. of their irreverence and profaneness.














Cursed is the deceiver
The term "cursed" in Hebrew is "arur," which signifies being under divine judgment or condemnation. The "deceiver" refers to someone who acts with intentional deceit, particularly in religious duties. In the context of Malachi, this is a person who promises to offer something valuable to God but instead gives something inferior. This reflects a heart that is not truly devoted to God, highlighting the importance of sincerity and integrity in worship.

who has an acceptable male in his flock
The phrase "acceptable male" refers to an unblemished male animal, which was the standard requirement for sacrifices according to Levitical law (Leviticus 1:3). The Hebrew word for "acceptable" is "tov," meaning good or pleasing. This indicates that the person has the means to offer a proper sacrifice but chooses not to. It underscores the principle that God deserves our best, not our leftovers.

and vows to give it
A "vow" in biblical terms is a solemn promise made to God. The Hebrew word "nadar" implies a binding commitment. In the ancient Near Eastern context, vows were serious and breaking them was considered a grave offense. This phrase highlights the gravity of making promises to God and the expectation of fulfilling them with integrity.

but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord
The act of sacrificing a "blemished animal" is a direct violation of God's commandments (Leviticus 22:20-22). The Hebrew word for "blemished" is "muwm," meaning defect or imperfection. Offering such an animal is not only disobedient but also disrespectful, as it reflects a lack of reverence for God's holiness and standards.

For I am a great King
This declaration emphasizes God's sovereignty and majesty. The Hebrew word for "King" is "melek," denoting supreme authority. By asserting His kingship, God reminds the people of His rightful place and the honor due to Him. It serves as a call to recognize His greatness and respond with appropriate reverence and obedience.

says the LORD of Hosts
The title "LORD of Hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) conveys God's supreme command over the heavenly armies. It is a powerful reminder of His omnipotence and the vastness of His dominion. This title reassures the faithful of God's ability to protect and provide, while also warning the disobedient of His capacity to execute judgment.

and My name is to be feared among the nations
The phrase "My name is to be feared" underscores the universal call to revere God. The Hebrew word for "feared" is "yare," which can mean awe, respect, or reverence. This statement points to God's ultimate plan for His glory to be recognized worldwide, not just among Israel. It challenges believers to live in a way that reflects God's holiness and draws others to honor Him.

(14) Some consider that two cases are mentioned in this verse. (1) One who acts deceitfully (by offering a female as a burnt offering, which is contrary to the Law, while there is in his flock a male); (2) and one who makes a vow (to offer a sacrifice of peace offerings, for which either a male or a female was allowable, provided it were without a blemish: Leviticus 22:23), and then offers an animal that has a blemish. But it is better to understand but one case to be mentioned--viz., that of a man who vows, and while he has a male in his flock offers a female with a blemish. A female without blemish would be admissible as a vow offering, but a male without blemish would be the most valuable, because it could be offered as a burnt offering, whereas a female could not; while a female with a blemish would be the very worst, and actually illegal. A man is not bound to make a vow, but if he make one his offering should be of the very best, just as he would not dare to offer to a king or to his ruler (Malachi 1:6) anything but the best. How cursed, then, must he be who, while he possesses the best, deliberately makes a vow to God, and then offers Him the very worst.

Verse 14. - But (and) cursed be the deceiver. The curse is fulminated against all who are guilty of these violations of the Law. The prophet mentions two instances out of many. The first is of one who offers a female victim, on pretence that he has no male in his flock. This will be clearer if we translate, with Keil, "And cursed is he who deceives, whereas there is in his flock a male animal." Septuagint, "Cursed is he who was able and bad in his flock a male." And voweth...a corrupt (blemished) thing. The second case is of one who in some emergency vows an offering, and then pays it by presenting a blemished animal (Leviticus 3:1, 6). With a slightly altered punctuation, some editors give, "a faulty female." For I am a great King. This is the reason that they are cursed who dishonour him. Dreadful. Held in awe and reverence. Septuagint, ἐπιφανές, notable." He whom the Gentiles honour will not permit his own people to profane his Name.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“But cursed
וְאָר֣וּר (wə·’ā·rūr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 779: To execrate

[is] the deceiver
נוֹכֵ֗ל (nō·w·ḵêl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5230: To be crafty, deceitful or knavish

who has
וְיֵ֤שׁ (wə·yêš)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

an acceptable male
זָכָ֔ר (zā·ḵār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2145: Remembered, a male

in his flock
בְּעֶדְרוֹ֙ (bə·‘eḏ·rōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5739: An arrangement, muster

and vows to give it,
וְנֹדֵ֛ר (wə·nō·ḏêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5087: To promise

but sacrifices
וְזֹבֵ֥חַ (wə·zō·ḇê·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

a defective
מָשְׁחָ֖ת (mā·šə·ḥāṯ)
Verb - Hofal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7843: Perhaps to go to ruin

animal to the Lord.
לַֽאדֹנָ֑י (la·ḏō·nāy)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

For
כִּי֩ (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I
אָ֗נִי (’ā·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am a great
גָּד֜וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

King,”
מֶ֨לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

says
אָמַר֙ (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts,
צְבָא֔וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

“and My name
וּשְׁמִ֖י (ū·šə·mî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8034: A name

[is to be] feared
נוֹרָ֥א (nō·w·rā)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

among the nations.”
בַגּוֹיִֽם׃ (ḇag·gō·w·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts


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OT Prophets: Malachi 1:14 But the deceiver is cursed who has (Malachi Mal Ml)
Malachi 1:13
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