Malachi 2:8
6 True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.
7 For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.
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.
9 “So I in turn have made you despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not kept My ways, but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”
10 Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why then do we break faith with one another so as to profane the covenant of our fathers?
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- 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.
- KJV
- 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.
- WEB
- But you have turned away from the path. You have caused many to stumble in the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Armies.
- ASV
- But ye are turned aside out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble in the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith Jehovah of hosts.
- DARBY
- 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 Jehovah of hosts.
- BLB
- And you⁺ have turned aside from the way, you⁺ have caused many to stumble by [your] instruction; you⁺ have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says YHWH of Hosts.
- ÅB
- Men dere har veket av fra veien og har fått mange til å støte an mot loven; dere har fordervet Levi-pakten, sier Herren, hærskarenes Gud.
- OTB
- Men dere har vendt dere bort fra veien og ved deres undervisning har fått mange til å snuble; dere har brutt pakten med Levi,» sier Herren, hærskarenes Gud.
- B1930
- Men I har veket av fra veien og har fått mange til å støte an mot loven; I har fordervet Levi-pakten, sier Herren, hærskarenes Gud.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
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.
Read in contextJeremiah 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.
Read in contextJeremiah 17:5
This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes the flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.
Read in contextEzekiel 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.
Read in contextIsaiah 30:11
Get out of the way; turn off the road. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel!”
Read in contextMalachi 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.
Read in context1 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.
Read in contextIsaiah 59:13
rebelling and denying the LORD, turning away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering lies from the heart.
Read in context