Chapter
1 2 3 4
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Malachi 2:14
ESV But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.
NIV You ask, 'Why?' It is because the LORD is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.
NASB Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your marriage companion and your wife by covenant.
CSB And you ask, "Why? " Because even though the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, you have acted treacherously against her. She was your marriage partner and your wife by covenant.
NLT You cry out, 'Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?' I’ll tell you why! Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.
KJV Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

What does Malachi 2:14 mean?

Verse 13 describes the angst of Israel, realizing that God is not accepting their offerings. Prior statements by Malachi accused Israel of marrying pagans, a heinous crime. Here, a more immediate cause for God to ignore their prayers is given. The men of Israel have been divorcing their wives, presumably in order to marry these pagan women. This is described using the Hebrew word bagad'tah, which implies "treachery," "dishonesty," or "unfaithfulness." Men are dishonoring their vows to their wives, yet complaining that God is not giving them their demanded blessings.

This verse also puts the concept of a marriage covenant (or vow) into spiritual perspective. Such vows are made in the presence of God; in fact, they are made to God, regarding the spouse. Breaking that vow through divorce is not merely a problem between two people. Divorce means breaking a promise involving God, and disrupting one of the most important institutions He created: marriage.
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