MAL 4:3 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.

4:3a

Then you will trample the wicked,

You^(plur) will have victory over those who do evil
Then you^(plur) will crush the wicked people,

Then: The word Then in the BSB translates the Hebrew conjunction w-. Here it introduces another event which will happen for the LORD’s people on the day when he comes. Many English versions translate it as “and” or “then” or omit it. Others use a time phrase. For example:

On the day when I act, you will overcome the wicked. (GNT)

Use the option that is most natural in your language for this context.

you will trample the wicked: The Hebrew phrase which the BSB translates as you will trample the wicked literally means that the righteous people will walk on those who are wicked. They will press or crush them with their feet. This is a symbol which may refer to two different customs of that time:

When people made wine, they walked on the grapes, crushing them with their feet in a “winepress.” In the Bible, this process is used as a symbol for God’s judgement. For example: “the winepress of the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:19).
When people conquered their enemies, they often made the enemies lie down so that they could put their feet on the enemies’ necks. That was a symbol of complete victory.

In this verse the expression symbolizes that the LORD will give the righteous people complete victory over the wicked. There are several options for translation:

Translate literally. For example:
you will trample those who are evil. (CEV)
Translate the meaning of the symbol directly. For example:
you will overcome the wicked. (GNT)
Use a simile. For example:
you will triumph over the wicked, as though you were walking on them.

Use an option which is appropriate for your language.

the wicked: The Hebrew word which the BSB translates as wicked is the plural form of the same word which was used in 3:18. See the notes on 3:18a and 4:1b. In these verses the LORD referred to the same group of people, that is, those who did evil.

4:3b

for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet

because they will be like ashes/dust that you^(plur) walk upon
like people walk on ashes/dust and crush them under their feet

for: The Hebrew connector ki which the BSB translates as for introduces a clause which adds details to explain 4:3a. Here are some ways that English versions have translated it:

you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet… (NLT)

Then you will crush the wicked like ashes under your feet… (NCV)

Use a natural connection in your language for this context.

they will be ashes under the soles of your feet: The Hebrew word which the BSB translates as ashes can mean either “ashes” or “dust:”

It refers to ashes. It adds to the idea of 4:1, which states that evildoers will be completely burnt. Then the righteous will trample on their ashes. In that way they participate symbolically in their punishment. (BSB, NIV, RSV, NJB, NASB, KJV, CEV, REB, NCV, GW, NET)
It refers to dust. It symbolizes the complete humiliation and defeat of the wicked. (GNT, NLT, NJPS)

Either option is acceptable, and you should use the one that communicates best in your language.

The Hebrew expression which the BSB translates as they will be ashes under the soles of your feet is a metaphor. Here are some translation possibilities:

Translate literally. For example:
they will be ashes under the soles of your feet. (NIV)
Use a simile without stating its meaning. For example:
for they will be like ashes under the soles of your feet. (NET)
Translate the meaning of the symbol and then use a simile. For example:
You will triumph over them as completely as though they were ashes under your feet.

Be sure to use an option which will connect naturally with your translation of 4:3a.

under the soles of your feet: This reference to a specific part of the foot makes the word picture more vivid in Hebrew. In some languages it may be more natural to make the reference general. For example:

like ashes under your feet. (NCV)

4:3c

on the day I am preparing,”

on the day when I will act to judge people.”

on the day I am preparing: This is the same phrase as in 3:17c. Try to translate it in the same way here.

4:3d

says the LORD of Hosts.

These are the words of Yahweh Sabaot.
Yahweh Sabaot has spoken.
This is what Yahweh Sabaot says to you^(plur).

says the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 3:1f.

the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 3:1f.

General Comment on 4:3a–d

In some languages it may be more natural to re-order some of the information in this verse. For example:

^3cWhen I come to bring justice, ^3ayou will trample those who are evil, ^3bas though they were ashes under your feet. ^3dI, the Lord All-Powerful, have spoken! (CEV)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

וְ⁠עַסּוֹתֶ֣ם רְשָׁעִ֔ים כִּֽי־יִהְי֣וּ אֵ֔פֶר תַּ֖חַת כַּפּ֣וֹת רַגְלֵי⁠כֶ֑ם

(və⁠ˊaşşōtem rəshāˊim kiy-yihyū ʼēfer taḩat kapōt raglēy⁠kem)

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: [The wicked will be like ashes under the soles of your feet, so you will trample them]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וְ⁠עַסּוֹתֶ֣ם רְשָׁעִ֔ים

(və⁠ˊaşşōtem rəshāˊim)

Yahweh is speaking of the people’s victory over the wicked as if they would trample them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [And you will be triumphant over the wicked]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj

רְשָׁעִ֔ים

(rəshāˊim)

Yahweh is using the adjective wicked as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this adjective with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: [wicked people]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

כִּֽי־יִהְי֣וּ אֵ֔פֶר תַּ֖חַת כַּפּ֣וֹת רַגְלֵי⁠כֶ֑ם

(kiy-yihyū ʼēfer taḩat kapōt raglēy⁠kem)

Yahweh is speaking of the complete defeat of the wicked as if they literally become ashes under the people’s feet. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [for you will defeat them completely]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

בַּ⁠יּוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֲנִ֣י עֹשֶׂ֔ה

(ba⁠yyōm ʼₐsher ʼₐniy ˊoseh)

See how you translated this expression in [3:17](../03/17.md). Alternate translation: [at the time when I act, as I am now preparing to do]

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 4:3