The Priests' Polluted Offerings

Malachi 1

The Lord declares his love for Jacob above Esau and rebukes the priests for despising his name by bringing blind, lame, and sick victims to his altar as though they were fit sacrifices. He contrasts their contempt with the honor his name receives from the rising to the setting of the sun among the nations, and pronounces a curse on anyone who vows a sound offering yet sacrifices a corrupt one to the Lord.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonTHE charge of the word of the Lord to Israel by the ministry of His messenger. Lay it up in your hearts I beseech you.

BrentonThe burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by the hand of his messenger. Lay it, I pray you, to heart.

GreekΛΗΜΜΑ λόγου Κυρίου ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ἐν χειρὶ ἀγγέλου αὐτοῦ, θέσθε δὴ ἐπὶ τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν.

KJVThe burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

JPSThe burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

ThomsonI have loved you, saith the Lord. But you said, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau the brother of Jacob? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob and

BrentonI have loved you, saith the Lord. And ye said, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob,

GreekἨγάπησα ὑμᾶς, λέγει Κύριος· καὶ εἴπατε, ἐν τίνι ἠγάπησας ἡμᾶς; οὐκ ἀδελφὸς ἦν Ἠσαῦ τοῦ Ἰακὼβ, λέγει Κύριος, καὶ ἠγάπησα τὸν Ἰακὼβ,

KJVI have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,

JPSI have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say: ‘Wherein hast Thou loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? Saith the LORD; Yet I loved Jacob;

Thomsonslighted Esau and made his borders a waste, and the houses of a desert his inheritance.

Brentonand hated Esau, and laid waste his borders, and made his heritage as dwellings of the wilderness?

Greekτὸν δὲ Ἠσαῦ ἐμίσησα, καὶ ἔταξα τὰ ὅρια αὐτοῦ εἰς ἀφανισμὸν, καὶ τὴν κληρονομίαν αὐτοῦ εἰς δώματα ἐρήμου;

KJVAnd I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

JPSBut Esau I hated, And made his mountains a desolation, And gave his heritage to the jackals of the wilderness.

ThomsonFor should he say, Idumea is overthrown, let us return and build up the waste cities, thus saith the Lord Almighty: Let them build, but I will overturn. They shall indeed be surnamed, The borders of iniquity and A people to whom the Lord hath ever been opposed.

BrentonBecause one will say, Idumea has been overthrown, but let us return and rebuild the desolate places; thus saith the Lord Almighty, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall be called The borders of wickedness, and, The people against whom the Lord has set himself for ever.

GreekΔιότι ἐρεῖ, ἡ Ἰδουμαία κατέστραπται, καὶ ἐπιστρέψωμεν, καὶ ἀνοικοδομήσωμεν τὰς ἐρήμους· τάδε λέγει Κύριος παντοκράτωρ, αὐτοὶ οἰκοδομήσουσι, καὶ ἐγὼ καταστρέψω· καὶ ἐπικληθήσεται αὐτοῖς ὅρια ἀνομίας, καὶ λαὸς ἐφʼ ὃν παρατέτακται Κύριος ἕως αἰῶνος.

KJVWhereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

JPSWhereas Edom saith: ‘We are beaten down, But we will return and build the waste places’; Thus saith the LORD of hosts: They shall build, but I will throw down; And they shall be called The border of wickedness, And The people whom the LORD execrateth for ever.

ThomsonAnd your eyes shall see and you will say, The Lord is magnified far beyond the borders of Israel.

BrentonAnd your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The Lord has been magnified upon the borders of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ὑμῶν ὄψονται, καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐρεῖτε, ἐμεγαλύνθη Κύριος ὑπεράνω τῶν ὁρίων τοῦ Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.

JPSAnd your eyes shall see, And ye shall say: ‘The LORD is great beyond the border of Israel.’

ThomsonA son honoureth a father; and a servant, his master. Now if I be a father, where is My honour? And if I be a master, where is My fear? saith the Lord Almighty. As for you priests, you are they who bring dishonour on My name. Do you say, By what have we brought dishonour on Thy name?

BrentonA son honours his father, and a servant his master: if then I am a father, where is mine honour? and if I am a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord Almighty. Ye the priests are they that despise my name: yet ye said, Wherein have we despised thy name?

GreekΥἱὸς δοξάζει πατέρα, καὶ δοῦλος τὸν κύριον ἑαυτοῦ. καὶ εἰ πατήρ εἰμι ἐγὼ, ποῦ ἐστιν ἡ δόξα μου; καὶ εἰ Κύριός εἰμι ἐγὼ, ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ φόβος μου; λέγει Κύριος παντοκράτωρ· ὑμεῖς οἱ ἱερεῖς οἱ φαυλίζοντες τὸ ὄνομά μου, καὶ εἴπατε, ἐν τίνι ἐφαυλίσαμεν τὸ ὄνομά σου;

KJVA son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

JPSA son honoureth his father, And a servant his master; If then I be a father, Where is My honour? And if I be a master, Where is My fear? Saith the LORD of hosts Unto you, O priests, that despise My name. And ye say: ‘Wherein have we despised Thy name?’

ThomsonBy offering on Mine altar polluted loaves. And do you say, How have we polluted them? When you said, The table of the Lord is polluted, you then caused no regard to be paid to that which was to be laid thereon.

BrentonIn that ye bring to mine altar polluted bread; and ye said, Wherein have ye polluted it? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is polluted, and that which was set thereon ye have despised.

GreekΠροσάγοντες πρὸς τὸ θυσιαστήριόν μου ἄρτους ἠλισγημένους, καὶ εἴπατε, ἐν τίνι ἠλισγήσαμεν αὐτούς; ἐν τῷ λέγειν ὑμᾶς, τράπεζα Κυρίου ἠλισγημένη ἐστί, καὶ τὰ ἐπιτιθέμενα ἐξουδενώσατε.

KJVYe offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.

JPSYe offer polluted bread upon Mine altar. And ye say: ‘Wherein have we polluted thee?’ In that ye say: ‘The table of the LORD is contemptible.’

ThomsonSince [according to the law] if you offer the blind for sacrifices, it is not evil; and if you offer the lame or sickly, it is not evil. Offer such now to thy governor, will he admit thee? Will he accept thy person? saith the Lord Almighty.

BrentonFor if ye bring a blind victim for sacrifices, is it not evil? and if ye bring the lame or the sick, is it not evil? offer it now to thy ruler, and see if he will receive thee, if he will accept thy person, saith the Lord Almighty.

GreekΔιότι ἐὰν προσαγάγητε τυφλὸν εἰς θυσίας, οὐ κακόν; καὶ ἐὰν προσαγάγητε χωλὸν ἢ ἄῤῥωστον, οὐ κακόν; προσάγαγε δὴ αὐτὸ τῷ ἡγουμένῳ σου, εἰ προσδέξεταί σε, εἰ λήψεται πρόσωπόν σου, λέγει Κύριος παντοκράτωρ.

KJVAnd if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

JPSAnd when ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it no evil! And when ye offer the lame and sick, is it no evil! Present it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee? Or will he accept thy person? Saith the LORD of hosts.

ThomsonNow, then, do you conciliate the favour of your God when you supplicate Him? When such [offerings] are made by your hands, shall I for your sakes accept your persons? saith the Lord Almighty.

BrentonAnd now intreat the face of your God, and make supplication to him. These things have been done by your hands; shall I accept you? saith the Lord Almighty.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν ἐξιλάσκεσθε τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ Θεοῦ ὑμῶν, καὶ δεήθητε αὐτοῦ. Ἐν χερσὶν ὑμῶν γέγονε ταῦτα, εἰ λήψομαι ἐξ ὑμῶν πρόσωπα ὑμῶν; λέγει Κύριος παντοκράτωρ.

KJVAnd now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts.

JPSAnd now, I pray you, entreat the favour of God That He may be gracious unto us!— This hath been of your doing.— Will He accept any of your persons? Saith the LORD of hosts.

ThomsonSince by you the doors will be shut, and a fire will not be kindled on Mine altar for nothing, I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord Almighty; nor will I accept a sacrifice at your hands.

BrentonBecause even among you the doors shall be shut, and one will not kindle the fire of mine altar for nothing, I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord Almighty, and I will not accept a sacrifice at your hands.

GreekΔιότι καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν συγκλεισθήσονται θύραι, καὶ οὐκ ἀνάψεται τὸ θυσιαστήριόν μου δωρεάν· οὐκ ἔστι μου θέλημα ἐν ὑμῖν, λέγει Κύριος παντοκράτωρ, καὶ θυσίαν οὐ προσδέξομαι ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν ὑμῶν.

KJVWho is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

JPSOh that there were even one among you that would shut the doors, That ye might not kindle fire on Mine altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, Saith the LORD of hosts, Neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

ThomsonFor from the risings of the sun to its goings down My name hath been glorified among the nations; and in every place incense is offered to My name, and a pure sacrifice—since My name is great among the nations, saith the Lord Almighty,

BrentonFor from the rising of the sun even to the going down thereof my name has been glorified among the Gentiles; and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering: for my name is great among the Gentiles, saith the Lord Almighty.

GreekΔιότι ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν ἡλίου καὶ ἕως δυσμῶν τὸ ὄνομά μου δεδόξασται ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσι, καὶ ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ θυμίαμα προσάγεται τῷ ὀνόματὶ μου, καὶ θυσία καθαρά· διότι μέγα τὸ ὄνομά μου ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσι, λέγει Κύριος παντοκράτωρ.

KJVFor from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

JPSFor from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same My name is great among the nations; And in every place offerings are presented unto My name, Even pure oblations; For My name is great among the nations, Saith the LORD of hosts.

Thomsonand you profane it, by your saying, The table of the Lord is polluted; and when no regard was paid to the offerings laid thereon—His meats—

BrentonBut ye profane it, in that ye say, The table of the Lord is polluted, and his meats set thereon are despised.

GreekὙμεῖς δὲ βεβηλοῦτε αὐτὸ ἐν τῷ λέγειν ὑμᾶς, τράπεζα Κυρίου ἠλισγημένη ἐστὶ, καὶ τὰ ἐπιτιθέμενα ἐξουδένωται βρώματα αὐτοῦ·

KJVBut ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.

JPSBut ye profane it, In that ye say: ‘The table of the LORD is polluted, And the fruit thereof, even the food thereof, is contemptible.’

Thomsonyou said, These are because of affliction. And though I rejected them, saith the Lord Almighty, yet you offered the torn, the lame and the sickly; if, then, you bring this sacrifice, shall I accept such at your hands? saith the Lord Almighty.

BrentonAnd ye said, These services are troublesome: therefore I have utterly rejected them with scorn, saith the Lord Almighty: and ye brought in torn victims, and lame, and sick: if then ye should bring an offering, shall I accept them at your hands? saith the Lord Almighty.

GreekΚαὶ εἴπατε, ταῦτα ἐν κακοπαθείας ἐστί. καὶ ἐξεφύσησα αὐτὰ, λέγει Κύριος παντοκράτωρ· καὶ εἰσεφέρετε ἁρπάγματα, καὶ τὰ χωλὰ, καὶ τὰ ἐνοχλούμενα· καὶ ἐὰν φέρητε τὴν θυσίαν, εἰ προσδέξομαι αὐτὰ ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν ὑμῶν; λέγει Κύριος παντοκράτωρ.

KJVYe said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.

JPSYe say also: ‘Behold, what a weariness is it!’ And ye have snuffed at it, Saith the LORD of hosts; And ye have brought that which was taken by violence, And the lame, and the sick; Thus ye bring the offering; Should I accept this of your hand? Saith the LORD.

ThomsonHe is cursed who is of ability and who hath a male in his flock, and his vow upon him, and [yet] sacrificeth to the Lord a corrupted thing. For I am a great King, saith the Lord Almighty, and My name is illustrious among the nations.

BrentonAnd cursed is the man who had the power, and possessed a male in his flock, and whose vow is upon him, and who sacrifices a corrupt thing to the Lord: for I am a great King, saith the Lord Almighty, and my name is glorious among the nations.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπικατάρατος, ὃς ἦν δυνατὸς, καὶ ὑπῆρχεν ἐν τῷ ποιμνίῳ αὐτοῦ ἄρσεν, καὶ εὐχὴ αὐτοῦ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ, καὶ θύει διεφθαρμένον τῷ Κυρίῳ· διότι βασιλεὺς μέγας ἐγώ εἰμι, λέγει Κύριος παντοκράτωρ, καὶ τὸ ὄνομά μου ἐπιφανὲς ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσι.

KJVBut cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.

JPSBut cursed be he that dealeth craftily, Whereas he hath in his flock a male, And voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a blemished thing; For I am a great King, Saith the LORD of hosts, And My name is feared among the nations.