Malachi 3:6
What does Malachi 3:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Malachi 3:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Malachi 3:6 means
This verse articulates a profound theological truth: God's immutability. The Lord declares, "For I, Jehovah, change not." This unchangeable nature is the very basis for Israel's continued existence despite their persistent sin. Because God remains faithful to His covenant promises, even when His people are unfaithful, the "sons of Jacob" are not utterly "consumed." This verse highlights God’s steadfast character as the anchor of Israel's hope, providing a foundation for His call to repentance and the conditional promises that follow. His unchanging nature guarantees both His justice and His mercy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For I, Jehovah, change not; therefore ye, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For I, Jehovah, change not; therefore ye, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For I am the Lord, I am unchanged; and so you, O sons of Jacob, have not been cut off.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For I <FI>am<Fi> Jehovah, I have not changed, And ye, the sons of Jacob, Ye have not been consumed.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For I am the Lord, and I change not: and you the sons of Jacob are not consumed.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For I Jehovah change not, and ye, sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
Context
This verse provides the theological bedrock for God's ongoing relationship with Israel, standing as a crucial explanation for why they haven't been utterly destroyed despite the sins detailed in verse 5 and those that will be discussed later. It serves as a bridge, justifying both God’s threatened judgment and His continued patience. This declaration of immutability then provides the foundation for God's direct call to repentance in verse 7.
v.5And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against the false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the sojourner from his right, and fear not me, saith Jehovah of hosts.
v.6This passage
v.7From the days of your fathers ye have turned aside from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith Jehovah of hosts. But ye say, Wherein shall we return?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 5:10
For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life;
- 1 Samuel 15:29
And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent; for he is not a man, that he should repent.
- Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and for ever.
- Lamentations 3:22
It is of Jehovah’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
- Philippians 1:6
being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ:
- Isaiah 42:5
Thus saith God Jehovah, he that created the heavens, and stretched them forth; he that spread abroad the earth and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
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