The Meaning of Malachi 3:9 Explained

Malachi 3:9

KJV: Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

YLT: With a curse ye are cursed! And Me ye are deceiving -- this nation -- all of it.

Darby: Ye are cursed with a curse; and me ye rob, even this whole nation.

ASV: Ye are cursed with the curse; for ye rob me, even this whole nation.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Ye [are] cursed  with a curse:  for ye have robbed  me, [even] this whole nation. 

What does Malachi 3:9 Mean?

Verse Meaning

All the people were guilty of this offense. That Isaiah , it was widespread in the nation, not that every individual Israelite was guilty necessarily. Robbing the priests and Levites of what was due them was really robbing God since they were His servants and they maintained His house, the temple. They would receive a curse from the Lord for this covenant violation ( Malachi 3:11; cf. Malachi 4:6).

Context Summary

Malachi 3:1-12 - A Purging From Evil
The opening verses of this chapter stir the heart like the call of a trumpet. We remember how literally they were fulfilled in the presentation of our Lord in the Temple by His parents. Unnoticed by the crowds, jostled amid the press, borne in the arms of poverty, the King suddenly came to His Temple, even the Messenger of the Covenant. Only two faithful retainers, Simeon and Anna, were there to welcome Him. But there is another and more personal reference. Let us keep the doors of our hearts wide open to the coming of the King. There may be no blare of trumpet, no flash of jewel, no cry of herald, but into your heart's secret shrine He will come. Is not this just what we need? Make haste, great Lord of all, and in our poor hearts do thy blessed work, that we may be refined as gold and silver, and offer to thee an offering in righteousness. Then will it be a delight to bring all the tithes into the storehouse. [source]

Chapter Summary: Malachi 3

1  Of the messenger, majesty, and grace of Christ
7  Of the rebellion,
8  sacrilege,
13  and infidelity of the people
16  The promise of blessing to those who fear God

What do the individual words in Malachi 3:9 mean?

With a curse You are cursed for Me have robbed nation [Even] this whole
בַּמְּאֵרָה֙ אַתֶּ֣ם נֵֽאָרִ֔ים וְאֹתִ֖י קֹבְעִ֑ים הַגּ֖וֹי כֻּלּֽוֹ

בַּמְּאֵרָה֙  With  a  curse 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: מְאֵרָה  
Sense: curse.
נֵֽאָרִ֔ים  are  cursed 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: אָרַר  
Sense: to curse.
וְאֹתִ֖י  for  Me 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Direct object marker, first person common singular
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
קֹבְעִ֑ים  have  robbed 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: קָבַע  
Sense: (Qal) to rob.
הַגּ֖וֹי  nation 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: גֹּוי 
Sense: nation, people.
כֻּלּֽוֹ  [Even]  this  whole 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.