MAL 3:16 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none 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 Ταῦτα κατελάλησαν οἱ φοβούμενοι τὸν κύριον, ἕκαστος πρὸς τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ· καὶ προσέσχε Κύριος, καὶ εἰσήκουσε, καὶ ἔγραψε βιβλίον μνημοσύνου ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ τοῖς φοβουμένοις τὸν Κύριον, καὶ εὐλαβουμένοις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ.
(Tauta katelalaʸsan hoi foboumenoi ton kurion, hekastos pros ton plaʸsion autou; kai prosesⱪe Kurios, kai eisaʸkouse, kai egrapse biblion mnaʸmosunou enōpion autou tois foboumenois ton Kurion, kai eulaboumenois to onoma autou. )

BrTr Thus spoke they that feared the Lord, every one to his neighbour: and the Lord gave heed, and hearkened, and he wrote a book of remembrance before him for them that feared the Lord and reverenced his name.

ULT Then the ones fearing Yahweh spoke among themselves, a man with his neighbor. And Yahweh paid attention and heard. And a book of remembrance was written to his face for the ones fearing Yahweh and for the ones esteeming his name.

UST Then those who honored Yahweh all spoke with one another. Yahweh listened carefully to what they said. Those who honored Yahweh and respected him all wrote their names down in a book as he watched.

OEB Such things those who revered the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord took notice, and a record was written before him of those who revered the Lord and those who keep in mind his name.

WEBBE Then those who feared the LORD spoke one with another; and the LORD listened and heard, and a book of memory was written before him for those who feared the LORD and who honoured his name.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Then those who respected the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord took notice. A scroll was prepared before him in which were recorded the names of those who respected the Lord and honored his name.

LSV Then have those fearing YHWH spoken to one another,
And YHWH attends and hears,
And a scroll of memorial is written before Him
Of those fearing YHWH,
And of those esteeming His Name.

FBV Then those who truly respected the Lord spoke to each other, and the Lord heard what they said. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence of those who respected the Lord and paid attention to him.[fn]

3:16 “Paid attention to him”: literally, “pondered his name.”

T4T After the people heard my message, those who revered Yahweh discussed those things with each other, and Yahweh listened to what they said. While Yahweh was watching, they wrote on a scroll the things that would remind them about what they promised, and they wrote on that scroll the names of those who revered Yahweh and who said that they always wanted to honor him [MTY].

LEB ¶ Then those who revered[fn] Yahweh spoke _⌊with one another_⌋.[fn] And Yahweh listened attentively[fn] and heard, and a scroll of remembrance was written _⌊before him_⌋[fn] of those who revere[fn] Yahweh and ponder his name.

3:16 Or “fear”

3:16 Literally “each with his friend/companion”

3:16 Or “gave heed”

3:16 Literally “to the face of him”

BBE Then those in whom was the fear of the Lord had talk together: and the Lord gave ear, and it was recorded in a book to be kept in mind before him, for those who had the fear of the Lord and gave thought to his name.

Moff So indeed they muttered. But meanwhile those who worshipped the Eternal talked to each other, and the Eternal heeded them and heard them; before him lies a record of his worshippers who adhere to him.

JPS Then they that feared the LORD spoke one with another; and the LORD hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before Him, for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name.

ASV Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name.

DRA Then they that feared the Lord spoke every one with his neighbour: and the Lord gave ear, and heard it: and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that fear the Lord, and think on his name.

YLT Then have those fearing Jehovah spoken one to another, And Jehovah doth attend and hear, And written is a book of memorial before Him Of those fearing Jehovah, And of those esteeming His name.

Drby Then they that feared Jehovah spoke often one to another; and Jehovah observed [it], and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name.

RV Then they that feared the LORD spake one with another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

SLT Then they fearing Jehovah spake each to his neighbor, and Jehovah will attend and will hear, and write a book of remembrance before him for those fearing Jehovah, and for thinking upon his name.

Wbstr Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it , and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

KJB-1769 ¶ Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

KJB-1611 ¶ Then they that feared the LORD, spake often one to another, and the LORD hearkened and heard it, & a booke of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared the LORD, & that thought vpon his name.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps Then they that feared God, saide euery one to his neighbour: and the Lorde considered and hearde, and there was written a booke of remebraunce before him for them that feared the Lorde, and for them that thinke vpon his name.
(Then they that feared God, said every one to his neighbour: and the Lord considered and heard, and there was written a book of remembrance before him for them that feared the Lord, and for them that think upon his name.)

Gnva Then spake they that feared the Lord, euery one to his neighbour, and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a booke of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought vpon his Name.
(Then spake they that feared the Lord, every one to his neighbour, and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his Name. )

Cvdl But they that feare God, saye thus one to another: The LORDE cosidreth and heareth it. Yee it is before him a memoriall boke written for soch as feare the LORDE, and remembre his name.
(But they that fear God, say thus one to another: The LORD cosidreth and heareth/hears it. Ye/You_all it is before him a memorial book written for such as fear the LORD, and remember his name.)

Wycl Thanne men dredynge God spaken, ech with his neiybore; and the Lord perseyuede, and herde, and a book of mynde is writun bifor hym to `men dredynge God, and thenkynge his name.
(Then men dreading God spoke, each with his neighbour; and the Lord perceived, and herd/heard, and a book of mind is written before him to men dreading God, and thinking his name.)

Luth Aber die Gottesfürchtigen trösten sich untereinander also: Der HErr merket es und höret es, und ist vor ihm ein Denkzettel, geschrieben für die, so den HErr’s fürchten und an seinen Namen gedenken.
(But the God’sfürchtigen comfort(v) itself/yourself/themselves each_other also: The LORD notice it and hear it, and is before/in_front_of him a Denkzettel, written for/in_favour_of that, so the LORD’s fear(v) and at/to his name(s) commemorate.)

ClVg Tunc locuti sunt timentes Dominum, unusquisque cum proximo suo: et attendit Dominus, et audivit, et scriptus est liber monumenti coram eo timentibus Dominum, et cogitantibus nomen ejus.
(Then spoke are afraid the_Master, each_one/everybody when/with the_next his_own: and attendit Master, and he_heard, and scriptus it_is book/volume monuments before by_him fearing the_Master, and they_thinkibus name his. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 3:6–18: If the people again start to give the LORD what they owe him, he will again bless them

Notice that this section also starts with the “Statement, Question, Response” pattern. However this time the sequence is expanded. The “Statement-Question” part occurs twice before a longer “Response” is given. (Another difference is that the second statement begins with a short question.) The “Statement-Question-Response” pattern marks the beginning of a new section.

3:6 is a transitional verse, as 2:17 was. Again, it is recommended that you take it as the first verse of this new section.

3:16a

At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another,

¶ Then those people who feared/revered Yahweh spoke to one another.

At that time: In this context, the Hebrew word ʾaz which the BSB translates as At that time most probably indicates that this verse contrasts with the previous paragraph. In contrast to the people referred to in 3:14–15, this verse refers to people who feared the LORD.

those who feared the LORD: This refers to the people who were faithful to the LORD and respected him. See the note on 1:6c–d.

Scholars differ about exactly who these people were:

They were people who accepted Malachi’s warnings and then spoke respectfully about the LORD.
They were people who already respected the LORD before Malachi’s warning. The verse refers to their reaction when other people accused the LORD.

The Hebrew text allow either interpretation, and English versions are also ambiguous. If possible, you should try to translate so that either view could be understood. If that is not possible in your language, it is recommended that you follow option (1).TOB (Traduction Œcuménique de la Bible), following the Septuagint, translates 'āz as ainsi, ‘thus,’ leading to quite a different interpretation: the complaints recorded in verses 14–15 are understood as coming from God’s faithful people. They are struggling to remain faithful, but are losing ground. In spite of their struggles, God still hears them anyway.

spoke with one another: We do not know what these people said to each other. It must have been something which pleased the LORD because he responded favorably to their words (3:16b).

3:16b

and the LORD listened and heard them.

Yahweh heard their words, and considered/paid-attention-to what they said.
Yahweh listened carefully to what they said.

This verse part begins with the Hebrew conjunction w-. It introduces the LORD’s response to those who feared him. Most English versions translate it as “and.” Use what is natural in your language in this context to introduce the LORD’s response.

listened and heard them: The Hebrew words which the BSB translates as listened and heard mean almost the same thing in this context. The author used both verbs here to emphasize the action, that is, to mean something like “listened very carefully.” There are at least two possibilities for translation:

Use two similar verbs. For example:
the Lord paid attention and listened. (GW)
Use one verb, and emphasize it in some way.
the LORD listened very carefully.

Use an option which will be natural in your language for this context.

3:16c

So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD

Therefore Yahweh/he caused a book to be written in his presence with records of those people who feared/revered him

a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD: This indicates that a record was written in a book about the people who feared the LORD. The record probably mentioned their names and also may have included their words and deeds which showed their faithfulness to him. Someone wrote this record in the LORD’s presence. Malachi does not tell us who this person was. For example:

In his presence, there was written down in a book a record of those who feared the Lord and respected him. (GNT)

scroll: At the time when Malachi prophesied, books as we know them today did not exist. People wrote on stone tablets, scrolls of leather or other materials. You should choose a general term here which represents a well known substance on which people would keep written records.

regarding those who feared the LORD: The Hebrew word l- which the BSB translates as regarding at this point in the verse can have many meanings. Here the context indicates that the book was written “for the benefit of” those who feared the LORD. The LORD would remember them (and what they had said or done).

those who feared the LORD: See the note on 3:16a.

3:16d

and honored His name.

and thought about him with awe/reverence.

and honored His name: That is, they honored his name, they thought about him with reverence. For example:

those who feared the Lord and respected him. (GNT)

His 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 “him” instead of His name.

General Comment on 3:16c–d

The Hebrew expressions which the BSB translates as “feared the LORD” in 3:16c and “honored His name” in 3:16d mean almost the same thing. In some languages it may be more natural to express this idea in another way. Some possibilities are:

Express the idea only once. For example:
those who reverenced the LORD.
those who esteemed the LORD in their thoughts.
Change the order of the expressions. For example:
those who meditated about the LORD and revered him.
Use a compound verb, adverb or other element. For example:
those who honored the LORD with reverence and esteem.

Use an option which is natural in your language.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵ֑⁠הוּ

(a)_man DOM his/its=neighbour

This is an expression that people of this culture would commonly use to describe people speaking with one another. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [discussing things with one another]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

וַ⁠יַּקְשֵׁ֤ב יְהוָה֙ וַ⁠יִּשְׁמָ֔ע

and,he_paid_attention YHWH and,he_listened

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The author uses them together to emphasize how closely Yahweh listened. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: [And Yahweh paid close attention as they spoke]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

וַ֠⁠יִּכָּתֵב סֵ֣פֶר זִכָּר֤וֹן

and,it_was_written writing remembrance

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [And those people wrote a book of remembrance]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

לְ⁠פָנָי⁠ו֙

before,,him

The author is using the word face to mean presence by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Alternate translation: [in his presence]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / parallelism

לְ⁠יִרְאֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה וּ⁠לְ⁠חֹשְׁבֵ֖י שְׁמֽ⁠וֹ

of_[those],fearing_of YHWH and,of,[those_who]_esteemed_of his/its=name

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine them. Alternate translation: [for the ones who feared Yahweh and esteemed his name]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

וּ⁠לְ⁠חֹשְׁבֵ֖י שְׁמֽ⁠וֹ

and,of,[those_who]_esteemed_of his/its=name