Bible Strands
Malachi 2:8
But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD of Hosts addresses the priests of Israel, condemning their failure to uphold their ministerial duties and covenant obligations.
The words — סַרְתֶּם (sar.Tem) translates literally as "you have turned aside," while הִכְשַׁלְתֶּם (hikh.shal.Tem) means "you have caused to stumble."
The thread — This indictment of priestly corruption parallels Nehemiah 13:29’s record of defiled Levitical priesthood and Malachi 2:9’s declaration of divine humiliation for showing partiality in the law.
Why it lands — The text demands that those who teach or lead examine whether their actions and instructions drive others away from covenant faithfulness or toward it.
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
But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts.
Cross-references
- Nehemiah 13:29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.
- Jeremiah 17:5 This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.
- Jeremiah 18:15 Yet My people have forgotten Me. They burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their ways, leaving the ancient roads to walk on rutted bypaths instead of on the highway.
- 1 Samuel 2:17 Thus the sin of these young men was severe in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.
- Isaiah 30:11 Get out of the way; turn off the road. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel!”
- Ezekiel 44:10 Surely the Levites who wandered away from Me when Israel went astray, and who wandered away from Me after their idols, will bear the consequences of their iniquity.
- Malachi 2:5 “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name.
- Leviticus 21:15 so that he does not defile his offspring among his people, for I am the LORD who sanctifies him.”
- 1 Samuel 2:24 No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people.
- 1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.