Malachi 1:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord 's table may be despised.

NIV: "By offering defiled food on my altar. "But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’ "By saying that the Lord’s table is contemptible.

NASB: You are presenting defiled food upon My altar. But you say, ‘How have we defiled You?’ In that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is to be despised.’

CSB: "By presenting defiled food on my altar." "How have we defiled you?" you ask. When you say: "The Lord’s table is contemptible."

NLT: You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar. 'Then you ask, ‘How have we defiled the sacrifices? ’ 'You defile them by saying the altar of the Lord deserves no respect.

KJV: Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible.

NKJV: “You offer defiled food on My altar, But say, ‘In what way have we defiled You?’ By saying, ‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’

Leviticus 22:17–33 gave detailed instructions on proper sacrifices. Leviticus 21:6 specifically said that failing to follow these instructions would be to "profane the name" of God. Rather than follow these instructions, these priests in Malachi's time were offering improper—spiritually polluted—animals at the temple. This would have included sick, lame, or blemished animals. According to Malachi 1:8, these were not merely minor flaws. The animals being offered were so obviously inferior that they wouldn't have been accepted by other people, let alone God.

The reference to "the Lord's table" here is a reference to the altar of sacrifice, as mentioned earlier in verse 7. This is not the acacia wood table from the tabernacle mentioned in Exodus 25:23. Whether the literal altar, or the general concept of sacrifices, Malachi is referring to the contents of the offerings being brought by the priests. By using inferior and inappropriate animals, the priests are showing profound disrespect to God.

This passage also explains God's attitude towards those in positions of spiritual leadership today. The more we know about God, and the greater the responsibility we take on, the more scrutiny we are under (James 3:1). Leading people astray, especially through apathy or disrespect for God, is a serious sin (Matthew 18:6; Galatians 1:8; 1 Timothy 6:3–5).

Malachi 1:6—2:9 is directed specifically at the priests of Israel. Despite having knowledge of the Old Testament Law, they are offering improper sacrifices to God. Instead of following the requirements for pure offerings, they are sacrificing animals so defective that a mere politician would not accept them. This shows their apathy and disrespect towards God. In response, God warns that He will be praised properly, even if it's by the Gentiles, even if it's in spite of His own chosen people. This includes a threat to humiliate the priesthood, if they don't lead the people as they have been instructed.

Chapter 1 begins the first of three main messages in the book of Malachi. This is addressed to the priests, who have failed to do their duty. They are allowing improper sacrifices, they are not teaching the people, and they are acting in legalism and apathy. If the priests do not change, they will be under the curse of God. God's love for Israel is demonstrated by the counter-example of Edom. Edom's complete destruction was foretold in the book of Obadiah. This shows that God can punish disobedience with annihilation, but has not done so for Israel.

Malachi's structure is complex, and chapter divisions are not helpful in seeing the pattern. There are three primary messages in this book, the first running from Malachi 1:2 through Malachi 2:9. Most of chapter one is the first message, directed to the priests of Israel. This is an important first step, since the priests were responsible for teaching the people. Failures by the priests would inevitably lead to failures by the people. The second and third messages are delivered more generally to the nation of Israel.

Malachi is the last message of prophecy given to Israel prior to 400 years of silence. Israel has rebuilt the temple, following the invasions of Babylon, but they are still under foreign oppression. Israel's spiritual condition, however, is dire. Hosea depicted Israel as prone to failure, but repentant. Later, Ezekiel exposed Israel's blatant disobedience. By the time of Malachi, Israel has passed into numbness and apathy. Unlike other Old Testament prophets, Malachi takes the form of a dialogue, where Israel responds to accusations as if unaware that they've occurred. The next prophetic voice from God would not come until the ministry of John the Baptist.