MAL 2:12 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, green:YHWH.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXX Ἐξολοθρεύσει Κύριος τὸν ἄνθρωπον τὸν ποιοῦντα ταῦτα, ἕως καὶ ταπεινωθῇ ἐκ σκηνωμάτων Ἰακὼβ, καὶ ἐκ προσαγόντων θυσίαν τῷ κυρίῳ παντοκράτορι.
(Exolothreusei Kurios ton anthrōpon ton poiounta tauta, heōs kai tapeinōthaʸ ek skaʸnōmatōn Yakōb, kai ek prosagontōn thusian tōi kuriōi pantokratori. )

BrTr The Lord will utterly destroy the man that does these things, until he be even cast down from out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and from among them that offer sacrifice to the Lord Almighty.

ULT May Yahweh cut off from the tents of Jacob the man who does this, the one being awake and the one answering, even the one bringing an offering to Yahweh of Armies. [fn]

Instead of the one who is awake and the one who answers , some versions have other expressions such as the master and the one who studies .

UST I hope Yahweh will remove from among the people of Israel every single person who does this, even if they bring offerings to Yahweh, who is the commander of the heavenly armies.

OEB May the Lord banish from the community of Jacob anyone who does this, anyone awaking, testifying, and making an offering to the Lord of hosts.

WEBBE The LORD will cut off the man who does this, him who wakes and him who answers, out of the tents of Jacob and him who offers an offering to the LORD of Armies.

WMBB The LORD will cut off the man who does this, him who wakes and him who answers, out of the tents of Jacob and him who offers an offering to the LORD of Hosts.

NET May the Lord cut off from the community of Jacob every last person who does this, as well as the person who presents improper offerings to the Lord who rules over all!

LSV YHWH cuts off the man who does it,
Tempter and tempted—from the tents of Jacob,
Even he who is bringing a present near to YHWH of Hosts.

FBV May the Lord expel the family of any man who does this from the nation of Israel! May there be no one left to bring an offering to the Lord Almighty![fn]

2:12 There is much debate over the meaning of the Hebrew text here.

T4T I wish that Yahweh would expel from Israel every man who has done that, even though they say that they are obeying the Commander of the armies of angels by bringing offerings to him.

LEB May Yahweh cut off from the tents of Jacob the man who does this, the one who is awake and who answers, and the one who brings an offering to Yahweh of hosts!

BBE The Lord will have the man who does this cut off root and branch out of the tents of Jacob, and him who makes an offering to the Lord of armies.

Moff The man who does this, may the Eternal strip him of his kith and kin, expelling him from the tents of Judah, leaving him none alive to sacrifice for him to the Lord of hosts!

JPS May the LORD cut off to the man that doeth this, him that calleth and him that answereth out of the tents of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.

ASV Jehovah will cut off, to the man that doeth this, him that waketh and him that answereth, out of the tents of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto Jehovah of hosts.

DRA The Lord will cut off the man that hath done this, both the master, and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering to the Lord of hosts.

YLT Cut off doth Jehovah the man who doth it, Tempter and tempted — from the tents of Jacob, Even he who is bringing nigh a present to Jehovah of Hosts.

Drby Jehovah will cut off from the tents of Jacob the man that doeth this, him that calleth and him that answereth; and him that offereth an oblation unto Jehovah of hosts.

RV The LORD will cut off to the man that doeth this him that waketh and him that answereth, out of the tents of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.
(The LORD will cut off to the man that doth/does this him that waketh/wakes and him that answereth, out of the tents of Jacob, and him that offereth/offers an offering unto the LORD of hosts/armies. )

SLT Jehovah will cut off to the man which shall do it, him waking, and him answering from the tents of Jacob, and him bringing near a gift to Jehovah of armies.

Wbstr The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering to the LORD of hosts.

KJB-1769 The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.[fn]
(The LORD will cut off the man that doth/does this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth/offers an offering unto the LORD of hosts/armies. )

2.12 the master…: or, him that waketh, and him that answereth

KJB-1611 [fn]The LORD will cut off the man that doth this: the Master and the scholler out of the tabernacles of Iacob, and him that offereth an offring vnto the LORD of hostes.
(The LORD will cut off the man that doth/does this: the Master and the scholler out of the tabernacles of Yacob, and him that offereth/offers an offering unto the LORD of hosts/armies.)

2:12 Or, him that waketh and him that answereth.

Bshps The Lorde wyll destroy the man that doth this, both the rayser vp and the aunswerer out of the tabernacle of Iacob, and him that offereth an offering vnto the Lorde of hoastes.
(The Lord will destroy the man that doth/does this, both the raiser up and the answerer out of the tabernacle of Yacob, and him that offereth/offers an offering unto the Lord of hosts/armies.)

Gnva The Lord will cut off the man that doeth this: both the master and the seruaunt out of the Tabernacle of Iaacob, and him that offereth an offering vnto the Lord of hostes.
(The Lord will cut off the man that doth/does this: both the master and the servant out of the Tabernacle of Yaacob, and him that offereth/offers an offering unto the Lord of hosts/armies. )

Cvdl But the LORDE shal destroye the ma that doth this (yee both the master & the scolar) out off the tabernacle of Iacob, with him that offreth vp meatofferynge vnto the LORDE off hoostes.
(But the LORD shall destroy the man that doth/does this (ye/you_all both the master and the scolar) out off the tabernacle of Yacob, with him that offereth/offers up meat/grain_or_gift-offering unto the LORD off hosts/armies.)

Wycl The Lord schal distrie the man that dide this thing, the maister and disciple, fro the tabernacle of Jacob, and him that offrith a yifte to the Lord of oostis.
(The Lord shall destroy the man that did this thing, the master and disciple, from the tabernacle of Yacob, and him that offereth/offers a gift to the Lord of hosts/armies.)

Luth Aber der HErr wird den, so solches tut, ausrotten aus der Hütte Jakobs, beide, Meister und Schüler, samt dem, der dem HErr’s Zebaoth Speisopfer bringet.
(But the/of_the LORD becomes him, so such does, exterminate/destroy out_of the/of_the hut/cabin Yakobs, both, master and Schüler, together_with to_him, the/of_the to_him LORD’s Tsevaot_(of_armies) grain/food-offering brings/gets.)

ClVg Disperdet Dominus virum qui fecerit hoc, magistrum et discipulum, de tabernaculis Jacob, et offerentem munus Domino exercituum.
(Disperdet Master husband who/which he_did hoc, teacher and disciple, from/about shelters/tents Yacob, and they_will_offerem task/function Master hosts/soldiers. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:10–16: Malachi rebuked the people of Israel because they had been unfaithful to the LORD

This section contains the central message of the book. It highlights its main theme: that is, that both the priests and the people had been unfaithful to the LORD. The LORD here called them to repent and to follow him again.

This section lists three specific ways in which the people of Israel as a nation had broken their covenant with the LORD:

They had married wives who worshipped foreign gods.
They had been unfaithful to their wives.
They had even divorced their wives.

Also the people had been hypocritical. They asked the LORD to help them in order to show that they trusted him. Yet, at the same time, they continued to be unfaithful to him and to disobey him.

The Hebrew word bagad which means “faithless, treacherous” occurs five times in these verses. The repeated use of the word highlights both the unfaithfulness of the people to the LORD and their unfaithfulness to their wives.

This section contains one of the few places in the book in which it was the prophet himself who addressed the people. The prophet rebuked the people of Israel because they had been unfaithful to the LORD. He began his rebuke with a series of rhetorical questions. The first two questions in this section form a doublet, which makes an emphatic beginning, and all the questions indicate strong feeling.

2:12a

As for the man who does this, may the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who is awake and aware—

May Yahweh separate/remove any person who does such things, whoever he may be, so that he is separated forever from the descendants of Jacob,

In this verse Malachi expressed a strong desire or prayer. He wanted the LORD to punish all Israelite men who married women who worshipped other gods.

As for the man who does this, may the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who is awake and aware: Scholars disagree about the type of punishment that Malachi meant here. The Hebrew text of this verse is hard to understand. There are two main interpretations:

Malachi meant that the LORD should remove all such men from the community of Israel. For example:
As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the Lord cut him off from the tents of Jacob… (NIV) (BSB, NIV, GNT, CEV, GW, KJV, NLT, NCV, NET, REB)
Malachi meant that the LORD should not allow such men to have anyone to defend or support them. For example:
May Yahweh deprive such an offender of witness and advocate… (NJB) (NJB, RSV, NJPS)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

the man who does this: This refers to any Israelite man who married a woman who worshipped idols. It includes those who had already done it and those who would do it in the future.

cut off: The expression which the BSB translates as cut off is an idiom in Hebrew. Here it means “remove,” that is, the LORD should remove them from the Israelite community. The Hebrew text does not state how he would remove them: whether he would banish them or kill them. You should also leave this ambiguous. Some ways to say this are:

May the Lord remove from the community of Israel those who did this. (GNT)

May the Lord banish from the dwellings of Jacob any who do this. (REB)

I pray that the Lord will no longer let those who are guilty belong to his people. (CEV)

from the tents of Jacob: This is an idiom which refers to all the people of Israel. They were the people who had a covenant relationship with the LORD and who worshipped him. The reference to tents came from the time when the descendants of Jacob/Israel, the people of Israel, lived in tents and wandered in the desert.

everyone who is awake and aware: The Hebrew phrase which the BSB translates as everyone who is awake and aware is difficult to understand. Scholars make two main suggestionsClark (1998) gives an excellent review of the alternative possible interpretations here. See also Alden (1985), page 718; Dods (1990), page 143; Merrill (1994), page 419; Redditt (1995), pages 171–172. Yet another alternative but less likely interpretation, is ‘May the LORD cut off from Israel anyone who defends the ones guilty of marrying foreign wives.’ about its meaning in this verse:

The two Hebrew words which the BSB translates as awake and aware function together as a Hebrew idiom, which, means “everyone.” From this interpretation comes “whoever they may be.” So the meaning of 2:12a is:
May the LORD drive away those who marry foreign wives, whoever they may be, so that they may never again be part of Israel. (BSB, NIV, GNT, GW, NCV, NET, NLT)
The two words have separate meanings and represent two groups of people or two different actions. The English versions that follow this view interpret the individual words differently.Baldwin (1972) page 239. For example:
…witness and advocate. (NJB) (RSV, NJB, KJV, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

2:12b

even if he brings an offering to the LORD of Hosts.

even if he were to bring/offer any gift/sacrifice to Yahweh Sabaot.
may Yahweh Sabaot remove him without considering any gift/sacrifice he might bring to him!

even if he brings an offering to the LORD of Hosts: Scholars differ about how this phrase relates to the previous one. There are at least three views:

This phrase makes it clear that there is no exception to the punishment in 2:12a. Even offering a sacrifice to the LORD would not enable them to escape this punishment. For example:
[May the LORD banish from the dwellings of Jacob any who do this…] even though they bring offerings to the Lord of Hosts. (REB) (BSB, NIV, REB, CEV, NCV, NLT)
This phrase expresses part of the punishment that Malachi spoke about in 2:12a. For example:
and never again let them participate in the offerings our nation brings to the Lord Almighty. (GNT) (GNT, NJB, GW)
This phrase goes with the preceding phrase “any to witness or answer.” It lists another group of people or another action. For example:
[any to witness or answer,] or to bring an offering to the Lord of hosts! (RSV) (RSV, KJV, NASB, NET)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

In English this idea is often expressed by using connectors like “even though” or “and yet.” Express it in a natural way in your language.

the LORD of Hosts: See the note on 1:4d and 1:6e. Translate this term in the same way here.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

יַכְרֵ֨ת יְהוָ֜ה & מֵ⁠אָהֳלֵ֖י יַֽעֲקֹ֑ב

cut_off YHWH & from,the_tents_of Yaˊₐqoⱱ/(Jacob)

Malachi is describing the people of Israel by association with their ancestor Jacob, who was also known as Israel. Alternate translation: [May Yahweh cut off from the tents of the people of Israel]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

יַכְרֵ֨ת יְהוָ֜ה

cut_off YHWH

The expression cut off is one that people of this culture would commonly use to mean to “remove.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [May Yahweh remove]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

מֵ⁠אָהֳלֵ֖י יַֽעֲקֹ֑ב

from,the_tents_of Yaˊₐqoⱱ/(Jacob)

Malachi is using the word tents by association to mean the community of Israel. Alternate translation: [from the community of Israel]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

לָ⁠אִ֨ישׁ

(to),person

Here the masculine term man has a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: [anyone]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / merism

עֵ֣ר וְ⁠עֹנֶ֔ה

awake and,[one_who]_answers

Malachi is speaking of two extremes in order to include them and everything in between. He is alluding to a watchman guarding a city at night (the one being awake) and someone approaching the city who is responding to the challenge, “Who is there?” (the one answering). If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [no matter who he is]

Parallel MAL 2:12

Section 2:10–16: Malachi rebuked the people of Israel because they had been unfaithful to the LORD

2:12a

2:12b