Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version You ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. New Living Translation You cry out, “Why doesn’t the LORD accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows. English Standard Version But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Berean Standard Bible Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. King James Bible Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. New King James Version Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant. New American Standard Bible Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your marriage companion and your wife by covenant. NASB 1995 “Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. NASB 1977 “Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Legacy Standard Bible But you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because Yahweh has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Amplified Bible But you say, “Why [does He reject it]?” Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously. Yet she is your marriage companion and the wife of your covenant [made by your vows]. Christian Standard Bible And you ask, “Why? ” Because even though the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, you have acted treacherously against her. She was your marriage partner and your wife by covenant. Holman Christian Standard Bible Yet you ask, “For what reason?” Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have acted treacherously against her, though she was your marriage partner and your wife by covenant. American Standard Version Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because Jehovah hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, though she is thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. Contemporary English Version And why isn't God pleased? It's because he knows that each of you men has been unfaithful to the wife you married when you were young. You promised that she would be your partner, but now you have broken that promise. English Revised Version Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, though she is thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. GOD'S WORD® Translation But you ask, "Why [aren't our offerings accepted]?" It is because the LORD is a witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been unfaithful. Yet, she is your companion, the wife of your marriage vows. Good News Translation You ask why he no longer accepts them. It is because he knows you have broken your promise to the wife you married when you were young. She was your partner, and you have broken your promise to her, although you promised before God that you would be faithful to her. International Standard Version Yet you ask, 'For what reason?' Because the LORD acts as a witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you were unfaithful to her, your partner, the wife of your covenant. Majority Standard Bible Yet you ask, ?Why?? It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. NET Bible Yet you ask, "Why?" The LORD is testifying against you on behalf of the wife you married when you were young, to whom you have become unfaithful even though she is your companion and wife by law. New Heart English Bible Yet you say, 'Why?' Because the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion, and the wife of your covenant. Webster's Bible Translation Yet ye say, Why? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. World English Bible Yet you say, ‘Why?’ Because Yahweh has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and the wife of your covenant. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd you have said, “Why?” Because YHWH has testified between you "" And the wife of your youth, "" That you have dealt treacherously against her, "" And she [is] your companion, and your covenant-wife. Young's Literal Translation And ye have said, 'Wherefore?' Because Jehovah hath testified between thee And the wife of thy youth, That thou hast dealt treacherously against her, And she thy companion, and thy covenant-wife. Smith's Literal Translation And ye said, For what? For that Jehovah testified between thee and between the wife of thy youth, which thou didst deal faithlessly against her, and she thy companion and the wife of thy covenant. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd you have said: For what cause? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee, and the wife of thy youth, whom thou hast despised: yet she was thy partner, and the wife of thy covenant. Catholic Public Domain Version And you have said, “What is the reason for this?” It is because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, whom you have despised. Yet she was your partner, and the wife of your covenant. New American Bible And you say, “Why?”— Because the LORD is witness between you and the wife of your youth With whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion, your covenanted wife. New Revised Standard Version You ask, “Why does he not?” Because the LORD was a witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd if you say, For what reason? Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously though she is your companion and the wife of your covenant. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And if you say: “Why?”, it is because LORD JEHOVAH was witness between you and the wife of your youth that you have been treacherous to her, and she is your companion and the wife of your covenant OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Yet ye say: 'Wherefore?' Because the LORD hath been witness Between thee and the wife of thy youth, Against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, Though she is thy companion, And the wife of thy covenant. Brenton Septuagint Translation Yet ye said, Wherefore? Because the Lord has borne witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, whom thou has forsaken, and yet she was thy partner, and the wife of thy covenant. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Judah's Unfaithfulness…13And this is another thing you do: You cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and groaning, because He no longer regards your offerings or receives them gladly from your hands. 14Yet you ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have broken faith, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.… Cross References Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Matthew 19:4-6 Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ / and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? / So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Ephesians 5:31-33 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” / This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church. / Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Proverbs 2:16-17 It will rescue you from the forbidden woman, from the stranger with seductive words / who abandons the partner of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God. 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. Mark 10:6-9 However, from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ / ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, / and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. ... Deuteronomy 24:1-4 If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. / If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife, / and the second man hates her, writes her a certificate of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if he dies, ... 1 Corinthians 6:16 Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” Matthew 5:31-32 It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ / But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Hosea 2:19-20 So I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. / And I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD.” Jeremiah 3:1 “If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers—and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD. Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 1 Timothy 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Isaiah 54:5 For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth. Treasury of Scripture Yet you say, Why? Because the LORD has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously: yet is she your companion, and the wife of your covenant. Wherefore. Malachi 1:6,7 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? … Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Proverbs 30:20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness. the Lord. Malachi 3:5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. Genesis 31:50 If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee. Judges 11:10 And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words. the wife. Malachi 2:15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. Proverbs 5:18,19 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth… Ecclesiastes 9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. thy companion. Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Proverbs 2:17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. Song of Solomon 1:15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. Jump to Previous Acting Broken Companion Covenant Dealt Early Faith Faithless Marriage Partner Reason Treacherously Wherefore Wife Witness YouthJump to Next Acting Broken Companion Covenant Dealt Early Faith Faithless Marriage Partner Reason Treacherously Wherefore Wife Witness YouthMalachi 2 1. He sharply reproves the priests for neglecting their covenant;10. and the people for marrying strange wives; 13. and for putting away their former ones, 17. and for infidelity. Yet you ask, ‘For what reason?’ This phrase captures the people's bewilderment and lack of understanding regarding God's displeasure. The Hebrew word for "ask" (שָׁאַל, sha'al) implies a seeking or inquiring, often used in contexts where the answer is not immediately apparent. This reflects a spiritual blindness or ignorance among the people, who fail to see their own transgressions. Historically, this question reveals a disconnect between the Israelites' actions and their understanding of God's covenantal expectations. It is because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth against whom you have broken faith though she is your partner and the wife of your covenant Witness.--Comp. Genesis 31:49-50 : "The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee." If people would seriously consider the meaning of this verse of Genesis, they would not be so fond of putting MIZPAH on their rings, for it denotes a strong suspicion as to the fidelity of the other party. Verse 14. - Yet ye say, Wherefore? Here is the usual sceptical objection, as in Malachi 1:6, 7. The people will not acknowledge their guiltiness, and ask, "Why is God displeased with us? why are our offerings not acceptable?" The prophet replies, Because the Lord hath been witness, etc. The sin is now disclosed. Their marriages had been made before God; he who first instituted matrimony (Genesis 2:24) was a witness of the contract and gave it his sanction (comp. Genesis 31:50). The wife of thy youth. Whom thou didst marry when thine affections were pure and fresh, and for whom thy love was strong and simple (Proverbs 5:18). Against whom thou hast dealt treacherously; Septuagint, "whom thou hast deserted." This wife of thine thou hast betrayed, breaking faith with her by repudiating her. The wife of thy covenant. With whom thou didst make a solemn vow and covenant, to violate which is a monstrous crime. We have very little information respecting the religious ceremonies connected with a Jewish wedding. The previous espousal was a formal proceeding, conducted by friends and parents, and confirmed by oaths. The actual marriage seems to have been accompanied by certain solemn promises and blessings (see Proverbs 2:17; Ezekiel 16:8; Genesis 24:60; Ruth 4:11, 12; Tobit 7:13; Smith, 'Dict. of Bible').Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Yet you ask,וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם (wa·’ă·mar·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say “Why?” עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against It is because עַ֡ל (‘al) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the LORD יְהוָה֩ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel has been a witness הֵעִ֨יד (hê·‘îḏ) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5749: To duplicate, repeat, to protest, testify, to encompass, restore between you בֵּינְךָ֜ (bê·nə·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's 996: An interval, space between and וּבֵ֣ין ׀ (ū·ḇên) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 996: An interval, space between the wife אֵ֣שֶׁת (’ê·šeṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female of your youth, נְעוּרֶ֗יךָ (nə·‘ū·re·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5271: Youth, the state, the persons against whom אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that you אַתָּה֙ (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you have broken faith, בָּגַ֣דְתָּה (bā·ḡaḏ·tāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 898: To cover, to act covertly, to pillage though she is וְהִ֥יא (wə·hî) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person feminine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are your companion חֲבֶרְתְּךָ֖ (ḥă·ḇer·tə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 2278: A consort and your wife וְאֵ֥שֶׁת (wə·’ê·šeṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female by covenant. בְּרִיתֶֽךָ׃ (bə·rî·ṯe·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1285: A covenant Links Malachi 2:14 NIVMalachi 2:14 NLT Malachi 2:14 ESV Malachi 2:14 NASB Malachi 2:14 KJV Malachi 2:14 BibleApps.com Malachi 2:14 Biblia Paralela Malachi 2:14 Chinese Bible Malachi 2:14 French Bible Malachi 2:14 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Malachi 2:14 Yet you say 'Why?' Because Yahweh has (Malachi Mal Ml) |
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