I. Covenantal and Relational Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Oracle / Burden (Hebrew: massa) (Malachi 1:1): The prophetic message or weighty pronouncement from God delivered through Malachi. It signifies an important and often solemn divine communication.;xNLx;Love (of the LORD for Jacob/Israel) (Malachi 1:2): God's foundational, elective, and covenantal love for His people Israel (descendants of Jacob), which He asserts despite their doubts and unfaithfulness. This love is contrasted with His stance towards Edom (descendants of Esau).;xNLx;Hate (of the LORD for Esau/Edom) (Malachi 1:3): In this context, "hate" does not necessarily imply emotional animosity in the human sense, but rather God's sovereign choice not to bestow the same covenantal blessings and favor upon Edom as He did upon Jacob/Israel. It signifies rejection or disfavor in terms of national destiny and covenant relationship, in contrast to His elective love for Israel.;xNLx;Covenant (Hebrew: berit) (Malachi 2:4-5, 8, 10, 14; 3:1): A solemn, binding agreement. Malachi refers to:;xNLx;The covenant with Levi: God's special covenant with the priestly tribe of Levi, which involved life, peace, fear (reverence), and true instruction (2:4-8). Malachi accuses the priests of corrupting this covenant.;xNLx;The covenant of our fathers: The ancestral covenant God made with Israel (2:10).;xNLx;The marriage covenant: The sacred bond between a husband and wife, which Malachi describes God as a witness to and condemns breaking through treachery and divorce (2:14).;xNLx;The messenger of the covenant: A figure associated with the coming day of the LORD, who will purify and refine (3:1).;xNLx;Treacherously / Faithlessly (e.g., Malachi 1:14 [deceitful vow]; 2:10, 11, 14, 15, 16; 3:5 [sorcerers, adulterers, those who swear falsely]): Acting deceitfully, unfaithfully, or disloyally, especially in breaking covenant commitments, whether with God (e.g., through corrupt worship, idolatry) or with fellow human beings (e.g., in marriage, social dealings).;xNLx;II. Temple Worship, Priestly Duties, and Offerings:;xNLx;;xNLx;Priests (Malachi 1:6; 2:1, 4, 7-9): Those from the tribe of Levi (descendants of Aaron) responsible for officiating at Temple worship, offering sacrifices, teaching God's law, and upholding the sanctity of the covenant. Malachi severely indicts them for their contemptuous attitude, corrupt practices, and failure to honor God and teach truthfully.;xNLx;Altar (of the LORD) (Malachi 1:7, 10, 12; 2:13): The sacred structure in the Temple where sacrifices were offered to God. Malachi accuses the priests of despising it by offering defiled food (polluted or unacceptable sacrifices).;xNLx;Offering / Sacrifice (Hebrew: minchah, zevach) (e.g., Malachi 1:7-14; 2:12-13; 3:3-4, 8): Gifts and ritual presentations (animals, grain, etc.) made to God as part of worship, for atonement, thanksgiving, or fellowship. Malachi condemns the offering of blind, lame, or sick animals, which showed contempt for God.;xNLx;Defiled food / Polluted bread (Malachi 1:7, 12): Sacrifices that were unacceptable to God, either because the animals were blemished (blind, lame, sick) or because they were offered with a wrong heart or by unfaithful people.;xNLx;Pure offering (Malachi 1:11): In contrast to the defiled offerings in Jerusalem, Malachi prophesies a future time when God's name will be great among the nations, and a pure offering will be made to Him everywhere.;xNLx;Tithes (Malachi 3:8, 10): A tenth part of one's agricultural produce or income, required by the Law to be given for the support of the Levites, priests, and the work of the Temple, as well as for the needy. Malachi accuses the people of "robbing God" by withholding tithes and offerings.;xNLx;Contributions / Offerings (Malachi 3:8): Sacred gifts or dues owed to God and His sanctuary.;xNLx;Storehouse (Malachi 3:10): The treasury or repository in the Temple complex where tithes and contributions were brought and stored for their designated purposes, including the sustenance of the Temple personnel and the needy.;xNLx;Fear (the LORD / His name) (Malachi 1:6, 14; 2:5; 3:5, 16; 4:2): Reverence, awe, worship, and obedience towards God. True priestly service was rooted in the fear of God. This is a quality of those who will be spared on the day of the LORD.;xNLx;Law / Instruction (Hebrew: torah) (Malachi 2:6-9; 4:4): God's divine teaching, guidance, and commandments, which the priests were responsible for knowing and teaching faithfully. Malachi calls the people to remember the Law of Moses.;xNLx;III. Sin, Judgment, and "The Day of the LORD":;xNLx;;xNLx;Contempt / Despise / Sniff at (Malachi 1:6-7, 12-13): To treat God, His altar, His worship, or His commands with disrespect, scorn, or disdain. The priests are accused of this.;xNLx;Weariness (to serve the LORD) (Malachi 1:13; 3:14): A tired, bored, or grudging attitude towards worshipping and serving God, seeing it as a burden rather than a privilege.;xNLx;Partiality (in your instruction / in judgment) (Malachi 2:9): Showing favoritism or bias, especially by priests in teaching the law or by judges in rendering decisions, thus perverting justice.;xNLx;Divorce / Breaking faith (Malachi 2:14-16): The dissolution of a marriage covenant. Malachi strongly condemns divorcing "the wife of your youth," highlighting God's hatred of divorce and the treachery involved.;xNLx;Sorcerers / Adulterers / Perjurers / Those who swear falsely (Malachi 3:5): Categories of sinners against whom God will be a swift witness in judgment.;xNLx;Oppress (the hired worker, the widow, and the fatherless) / Thrust aside the sojourner (Malachi 3:5): Acts of social injustice, exploiting or mistreating the vulnerable members of society, which God will judge.;xNLx;The Day of the LORD / That Day / The great and awesome day (Malachi 3:2, 17, 19 [ESV 4:1], 21 [ESV 4:3]; 4:1, 3, 5): A future time of God's decisive intervention for judgment and purification. It is described as:;xNLx;A refining fire (3:2-3).;xNLx;Burning like an oven, consuming the arrogant and evildoers (4:1).;xNLx;A day when the righteous will be distinguished and spared as God's treasured possession (3:17-18).;xNLx;A day of healing and victory for those who fear God's name (4:2-3).;xNLx;Messenger (of the covenant) (Malachi 3:1): A figure whom God will send to prepare the way before Him and who will suddenly come to His temple. He is associated with purification and judgment. This has been interpreted in various ways, including an angelic being, a prophetic figure, or the Messiah.;xNLx;Refiner's fire / Fullers' soap (Malachi 3:2): Metaphors for the intense purifying and cleansing judgment that will take place when the messenger of the covenant and the Lord Himself appear.;xNLx;Arrogant / Evildoers (Malachi 3:13, 15, 19 [ESV 4:1]): Those who speak harsh words against God, consider it vain to serve Him, call the proud blessed, and practice wickedness. They will face judgment on the day of the LORD.;xNLx;Book of remembrance (Malachi 3:16): A metaphorical book in which God records the names and deeds of those who fear Him and esteem His name, signifying that He does not forget His faithful people and will honor them.;xNLx;My treasured possession / Special possession (Hebrew: segullah) (Malachi 3:17): A term describing Israel's unique, cherished, and prized status in God's eyes, chosen by Him for a special covenant relationship and purpose. God will spare them as such on the day of judgment.;xNLx;Sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2): A messianic image of a future dawning that will bring healing, vindication, and joy to those who fear God's name.;xNLx;Elijah the prophet (Malachi 4:5): Malachi prophesies that God will send Elijah (or an Elijah-like figure) before the great and awesome day of the LORD to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and children to their fathers, to bring about reconciliation and prepare the way for God's coming, lest the land be struck with a decree of utter destruction.;xNLx;IV. Other Notable Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Blemish / Defect (Malachi 1:8, 13-14): A physical imperfection in an animal that would disqualify it from being offered as an acceptable sacrifice to God. Offering blemished animals showed contempt.;xNLx;Windows of heaven (Malachi 3:10): A metaphor for God opening up an abundant outpouring of blessings in response to His people's faithfulness in tithing.;xNLx;Devourer / Locust (Malachi 3:11): God promises to rebuke the forces (like crop-destroying pests) that would otherwise destroy the fruits of the land if the people are faithful.;xNLx;Stubble (Malachi 4:1): The dry stalks of grain left after reaping, easily consumed by fire. The arrogant and evildoers will become like stubble on the day of the LORD.;xNLx;This list aims to clarify some of the key terms and concepts in the Book of Malachi (ESV). Understanding these within their historical, covenantal, and prophetic context is essential for grasping Malachi's urgent call to renewed faithfulness and his message of both impending judgment and ultimate hope.