Malachi 1:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised.

NIV: But you profane it by saying, 'The Lord's table is defiled,' and, 'Its food is contemptible.'

NASB: But you are profaning it by your saying, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is to be despised.’

CSB: "But you are profaning it when you say, 'The Lord's table is defiled, and its product, its food, is contemptible.'

NLT: But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it’s all right to defile the Lord’s table.

KJV: But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.

NKJV: “But you profane it, In that you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled; And its fruit, its food, is contemptible.’

This passage of Malachi is a condemnation of Israel's priests, for failing to bring the proper sacrifices to God. As seen in verse 10, God would prefer to see no offerings rather than apathetic or impure ones. The actions of the priests were simply the natural outcome of their attitudes, which verse 12 makes clear. Prior verses focused on the priests' failures in rituals. This passage describes their failures in relationship to God.

The attitude of the priests itself is a form of disrespect to God. Even they know the correct behavior, they see proper sacrifice as too much trouble (Malachi 1:13). The effect of their mindset is described using the Hebrew word mehal'lehim', which implies a "staining," "wounding," or "polluting." In other words, God is not only being insulted, His reputation is being damaged among other people. This is as true today as it was then—when the world sees a so-called believer treating God with contempt, it demeans Him.

The New Testament will echo this error in more specific terms in James 4:17. Those who know what is right to do, and don't do it, are sinning as much as those who purposefully do evil.

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.