Malachi 3:12
What does Malachi 3:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Malachi 3:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Malachi 3:12 means
This verse concludes the section on tithing with a final, overarching blessing: a restored international reputation for Israel. God promises, "And all nations shall call you happy; for ye shall be a delightsome land." This means that Israel, once a nation under a curse for its disobedience, will become a visible example of God's favor and blessing to the surrounding peoples. Their prosperity and blessed state will be so evident that other nations will recognize God's hand upon them, bringing glory to God and validating His covenant faithfulness through their renewed obedience and His consequent blessings.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And all nations shall call you happy; for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith Jehovah of hosts.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And all nations shall call you happy; for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith Jehovah of hosts.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And you will be named happy by all nations: for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of armies.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And declared you happy have all the nations, For ye are a delightful land, said Jehovah of Hosts.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And all nations shall call you blessed: for you shall be a delightful land, saith the Lord of hosts.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And all nations shall call you blessed; for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith Jehovah of hosts.
Context
This verse provides the culminating blessing in response to faithful tithing, expanding beyond individual and agricultural prosperity (verses 10-11) to a restored national reputation. It wraps up the specific call to repentance regarding tithes and the associated promises. This section of promises then sharply contrasts with the people's cynical complaints about serving God, which are introduced in verse 13.
v.11And 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.
v.12This passage
v.13Your words have been stout against me, saith Jehovah. Yet ye say, What have we spoken against thee?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 11:12
a land which Jehovah thy God careth for: the eyes of Jehovah thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
- Zephaniah 3:19
Behold, at that time I will deal with all them that afflict thee; and I will save that which is lame, and gather that which was driven away; and I will make them a praise and a name, whose shame hath been in all the earth.
- Daniel 8:9
And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the glorious land.
- Isaiah 61:9
And their seed shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which Jehovah hath blessed.
- Psalms 72:17
His name shall endure for ever; His name shall be continued as long as the sun: And men shall be blessed in him; All nations shall call him happy.
- Daniel 11:41
He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
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