Chapter
1 2 3 4
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6

Malachi 4:1
ESV “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.
NIV Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,' says the LORD Almighty. 'Not a root or a branch will be left to them.
NASB For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,' says the Lord of armies, 'so that it will leave them neither root nor branches.
CSB "For look, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and everyone who commits wickedness will become stubble. The coming day will consume them," says the Lord of Armies, "not leaving them root or branches.
NLT The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, 'The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed — roots, branches, and all.
KJV For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

What does Malachi 4:1 mean?

Fire is often used a symbol of judgment, since flames will separate materials through destruction. Only those substances which can endure the flames survive, the rest are consumed. Malachi 3:2–4 indicates that the "purified" priesthood will survive judgment. This verse makes a point of describing this impending reckoning as an "oven," or a "furnace." This is meant to emphasize the purpose of the fire. This is a fire (judgment) intended for a very specific purpose, and under careful control. Such fires are also noted for being extremely hot, much hotter than a random or open fire would be.

This verse specifically mentions both arrogance and wickedness as targets of God's wrath. In the context of Malachi's prophecy, this is a pointed warning. Israel's attitude thus far has been both disobedient and proud. They have insulted God with inferior offerings (Malachi 1:8), sneered at His commands (Malachi 1:13), corrupted His people (Malachi 2:11), broken their vows (Malachi 2:14), and then had the nerve to ask, "where is the God of justice?" (Malachi 2:17) as if they could judge Him. Those who insist on ignoring God, and on disobeying Him, will be completely removed from the kingdom of God.
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