MAL 4:2 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:1–6: One day the LORD will come and judge all people

In the Hebrew text these verses are still part of chapter 3 and are numbered 3:19–24. Some English translations follow that Hebrew verse numbering, but in this book, the notes follow the more common English convention. It is recommended that you follow the numbering system of the versions used most in your area.

4:2a

“But for you who fear My name,

But for you^(plur) who fear/revere my name,
It will be different for you^(plur) who honor me.

But: This verse makes a contrast between the arrogant evil-doers who were mentioned in 4:1 and those who fear the LORD. In some languages it may be helpful to make that contrast explicit. For example:

But it will be different on that day for you who revere my name.

you who fear My name: See “fear” in the note on 1:6c–d.

My name: In the Hebrew Bible, the phrase “the LORD’s name” or “his name” refers to God himself or his authority. It was also used in this way in 1:6. See the note on 1:6f. GNT simply uses “me” instead of My name.

4:2b

the sun of righteousness will rise

the sun that brings righteousness will rise
the one who brings righteousness will rise like the sun

the sun of righteousness will rise: This is a metaphor. Although commentators and English versions differ about the interpretation here, it probably refers to the coming of the Messiah (see 3:1).

This metaphor of the sun rising indicates that, as the Messiah comes, he will bring light and will end darkness. In other words, he will bring goodness and justice and destroy evil.Many early commentators interpreted the “sun of righteousness” to refer to Christ. Keil and Delitzsch (1950, page 468) suggest that, while it is true that it is the coming of Christ that reveals the righteousness of God, in this context it is “righteousness” (Hebrew ṣǝdaq) itself that is compared to the sun. These interpretations are similar, since the Lord is the one who brings righteousness. The Hebrew word has the basic idea of “conforming to a standard.” In the Bible this standard is the LORD’s and consists of what he knows is right and good. This standard is applicable both to righteous character and to justice in society.

righteousness: The Hebrew word which the BSB translates as righteousness is the word ṣedaqah. It occurs frequently in the Old Testament. It is usually translated either righteousness or “justice.”

In this context it refers to the righteousness that the Messiah will bring when he comes. When he comes, he intends to cause his people to be righteous and to restore justice.

Most English versions translate ṣedaqah here as “righteousness.”

4:2c

with healing in its wings,

to heal you^(plur) with its rays.
to heal/restore you^(plur) and protect you^(plur).
He will heal and deliver you^(plur).

with healing in its wings: Scholars do not agree about what this figure of speech means. The wings of the sun probably refer to the sun’s rays.At the time when Malachi lived, artists often drew the sun with outstretched wings. This symbolizes power and protection.

So, in this context, Malachi used this figure of speech to refer to the LORD’s power to heal and protect his people from harm.

healing: The idea of healing here implies more than physical healing. It also implies spiritual healing that brings peace and well-being. In Jeremiah 33:6, the same word is used in a similar way.

In some languages a word like “healing” may refer only to physical healing. If that is true in your language, you may want to use an expression which could include spiritual healing, as well. For example:

restoration

well-being

General Comment on 4:2b–c

This passage uses the sun and its rays as figures of speech. Some ways to express the meaning are:

But for you who revere me, the one who brings righteousness will rise like the sun to deliver and restore you.

But for you who revere me, the one whom I send will rise to bring justice like the sun rises with healing in its rays.

4:2d

and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall.

Then you^(plur) will be like calves that leave their enclosure, running and jumping.
And you^(plur) will go free, leaping for joy like calves do when someone releases them from their stall.

This verse part begins with the Hebrew conjunction w-. It introduces another event which will happen when 4:2b occurs. English versions translate it as “and” or omit it. Use a connection which is natural in your language.

you: That is, you who fear my name. See the note on 4:2a.

will go out and leap like calves from the stall: This compares the people to calves which jump playfully when their owners release them from confinement. The emphasis is on the people’s joy and freedom. It is not on the place they will leave or go to.

The LORD was implying that on the day when he comes to bring justice/righteousness, he will free his people from all that oppresses them. Some ways to translate this are:

And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. (NLT)

and you will skip about like calves released from the stall. (NET)

the stall: The Hebrew word which the BSB translates as the stall literally means “tying place.” It refers to the place where calves were kept and fattened.This Hebrew expression for “stall-fed calves” occurs only three other times in the Hebrew Bible: 1 Samuel 28:24, Jeremiah 46:21 and Amos 6:4. This probably implies that the calves were well fed and healthy. For example:

You will jump around, like well-fed calves. (NCV)

However most English versions omit this implication. Instead they focus on the calves’ freedom from the stall or from the place where they have been tied. For example:

You will be as free and happy as calves let out of a stall. (GNT)

Express this freedom in a natural way in your language.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וְ⁠זָרְחָ֨ה לָ⁠כֶ֜ם יִרְאֵ֤י שְׁמִ⁠י֙ שֶׁ֣מֶשׁ צְדָקָ֔ה

(və⁠zārəḩāh lā⁠kem yirʼēy shəmi⁠y shemesh ʦədāqāh)

Yahweh is speaking as if righteousness were the sun and that it would rise over the fearers of his name. He means that he will establish his righteous rule so that those who obey him are vindicated, honored, and blessed. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this image as a comparison. Alternate translation: [But when I establish my righteous rule, you who fear my name will be honored as if the sun were shining brightly on you]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

יִרְאֵ֤י שְׁמִ⁠י֙

(yirʼēy shəmi⁠y)

Yahweh is using his name to represent all of him. Alternate translation: [who fear me]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וּ⁠מַרְפֵּ֖א בִּ⁠כְנָפֶ֑י⁠הָ

(ū⁠marpēʼ bi⁠kənāfey⁠hā)

Yahweh is speaking as if the sun had wings. He is using the image to speak of the arrival of the sun, which represents the effects of his establishing his reign. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [and it will bring healing to you]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וִֽ⁠יצָאתֶ֥ם וּ⁠פִשְׁתֶּ֖ם

(vi⁠yʦāʼtem ū⁠fishtem)

Yahweh is speaking as if the people would be so happy that they would go out and skip. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And you will be very joyful]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

כְּ⁠עֶגְלֵ֥י מַרְבֵּֽק

(kə⁠ˊeglēy marbēq)

The point of this comparison is that just as calves that have been kept in a stall are very playful when they are let out, so the people will act very joyfully. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [and feel as playful as calves that have been let out of their stall]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The Hebrew text, lemmas, and morphology are all thanks to the OSHB and some of the glosses are from Macula Hebrew.

OET interlinear MAL 4:2