Bible Strands
Malachi 1:13
You also say: ‘Oh, what a nuisance!’ And you turn up your nose at it,” says the LORD of Hosts. “You bring offerings that are stolen, lame, or sick! Should I accept these from your hands?” asks the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD of Hosts addresses the post-exilic priests and people of Judah, rebuking them for their contemptuous attitude toward worship. He speaks at a moment when they are bringing defective sacrifices while openly complaining about the burden of religious duty.
The words — The Hebrew מַתּלָאָה (matla'ah) literally means "weariness" or "nuisance," capturing their verbal complaint that worship is a burden. The verb הִפַּחְתֶּם (hippachtem) translates to "you turn up your nose" or "sniff at," describing their physical gesture of contempt toward the offerings.
The thread — This theme of God rejecting defective offerings appears in Leviticus 22:19, which mandates unblemished animals for acceptance. The complaint of weariness echoes in Micah 6:3, where God asks how He has wearied His people, while the standard of flawless sacrifice is upheld in Leviticus 22:19.
Why it lands — The text demands honest reverence rather than ritual compliance, rejecting offerings given with contempt or from stolen or defective sources. It requires the reader to examine whether their worship reflects genuine respect or mere grudging obligation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord.
Cross-references
- Micah 6:3 ‘My people, what have I done to you? Testify against Me how I have wearied you!
- Mark 14:37 Then Jesus returned and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you asleep?” He asked. “Were you not able to keep watch for one hour?
- Leviticus 22:19 must offer an unblemished male from the cattle, sheep, or goats in order for it to be accepted on your behalf.
- Malachi 1:7 By presenting defiled food on My altar. But you ask, ‘How have we defiled You?’ By saying that the table of the LORD is contemptible.
- 1 Samuel 2:29 Why then do you kick at My sacrifice and offering that I have prescribed for My dwelling place? You have honored your sons more than Me by fattening yourselves with the best of all the offerings of My people Israel.’
- Isaiah 1:12 When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts?
- Isaiah 43:22 But you have not called on Me, O Jacob, because you have grown weary of Me, O Israel.
- Isaiah 57:6 Your portion is among the smooth stones of the valley; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering and offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these?
- Jeremiah 7:9 Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known,
- Jeremiah 7:21 This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves!