Malachi 3:11
What does Malachi 3:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Malachi 3:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Malachi 3:11 means
This verse provides specific details of the blessing promised to those who faithfully bring their tithes. God promises, "I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes." The "devourer" likely refers to pests, drought, or other agricultural afflictions that destroyed crops, which were perhaps part of the curse mentioned in verse 9. By rebuking this devourer, God assures His people of protection from these destructive forces, guaranteeing that their ground will be fruitful and their vines will not cast their fruit prematurely. This highlights God's sovereignty over nature and His commitment to actively intervene on behalf of His obedient people, ensuring their prosperity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before the time in the field, saith Jehovah of hosts.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before the time in the field, saith Jehovah of hosts.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And on your account I will keep back the locusts from wasting the fruits of your land; and the fruit of your vine will not be dropped on the field before its time, says the Lord of armies
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I have pushed for you against the consumer, And He doth not destroy to you the fruit of the ground, Nor miscarry to you doth the vine in the field, Said Jehovah of Hosts.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I will rebuke for your sakes the devourer, and he shall not spoil the fruit of your land: neither shall the vine in the field be barren, saith the Lord of hosts.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before the time in the field, saith Jehovah of hosts.
Context
Continuing the sequence of blessings promised in response to faithful tithing (following the general promise in verse 10), this verse specifically details the agricultural and economic benefits. It moves from broad abundance to concrete protection against crop destruction. This promise of a favorable environment then naturally leads to the further blessing of national reputation and delight described in verse 12.
v.10Bring ye the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
v.11This passage
v.12And all nations shall call you happy; for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith Jehovah of hosts.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Habakkuk 3:17
For though the fig-tree shall not flourish, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labor of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no food; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls:
- Joel 1:4
That which the palmer-worm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the canker-worm eaten; and that which the canker-worm hath left hath the caterpillar eaten.
- Joel 1:12
The vine is withered, and the fig-tree languisheth; the pomegranate-tree, the palm-tree also, and the apple-tree, even all the trees of the field are withered: for joy is withered away from the sons of men.
- Joel 2:20
but I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive it into a land barren and desolate, its forepart into the eastern sea, and its hinder part into the western sea; and its stench shall come up, and its ill savor shall come up, because it hath done great things.
- Deuteronomy 11:14
that I will give the rain of your land in its season, the former rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy grain, and thy new wine, and thine oil.
- Haggai 2:17
I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the work of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith Jehovah.
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