Chapter
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Verse
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Malachi 4:2
ESV But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
NIV But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
NASB But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and frolic like calves from the stall.
CSB But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and playfully jump like calves from the stall.
NLT But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.
KJV But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

What does Malachi 4:2 mean?

Prior verses have warned of an upcoming judgment. This wrath will not be random, or an act of revenge. God promises to distinguish between the righteous and the wicked (Malachi 3:18). The judgment is symbolized as an "oven," or a "furnace," which are purposeful tools, not haphazard accidents. The primary distinction between those who will be destroyed and those who will be saved is respect for God. Arrogance and disobedience are signs of disrespect. "Fear," here used in the sense of "reverence," means treating God with the devotion He deserves.

While judgment for the wicked will be like a furnace, for the righteous it will be like sunshine. Most versions translate this as "healing in its wings," in reference to the sun. This is accurate, in terms of the literal Hebrew words used. However, the imagery is meant to refer to the "rays" of the sun. The term used is kanaph, which means "wings, edges, feathers, skirt, or borders."

Also, the joy of those who are saved is compared to baby animals being released to play in a pasture. The image is meant to convey absolute delight and the elation of sudden freedom.
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