Malachi

"Messenger or angel, the last of the minor prophets, and the" "writer of the last book of the Old Testament canon (Mal. 4:4, 5," 6). Nothing is known of him beyond what is contained in his book of prophecies. Some have supposed that the name is simply a "title descriptive of his character as a messenger of Jehovah," "and not a proper name. There is reason, however, to conclude" that Malachi was the ordinary name of the prophet. "He was contemporary with Nehemiah (comp. Mal. 2:8 with Neh. 13:15; Mal. 2:10-16 with Neh. 13:23). No allusion is made to him "by Ezra, and he does not mention the restoration of the temple," and hence it is inferred that he prophesied after Haggai and "Zechariah, and when the temple services were still in existence" "(Mal. 1:10; 3:1, 10). It is probable that he delivered his" "prophecies about B.C. 420, after the second return of Nehemiah" "from Persia (Neh. 13:6), or possibly before his return."

The contents of the book are comprised in four chapters. In the Hebrew text the third and fourth chapters (of the A.V.) form but "one. The whole consists of three sections, preceded by an" "introduction (Mal. 1:1-5), in which the prophet reminds Israel" of Jehovah's love to them. The first section (1:6-2:9) contains a stern rebuke addressed to the priests who had despised the "name of Jehovah, and been leaders in a departure from his" "worship and from the covenant, and for their partiality in" administering the law. In the second (2:9-16) the people are rebuked for their intermarriages with idolatrous heathen. In the "third (2:17-4:6) he addresses the people as a whole, and warns" "them of the coming of the God of judgment, preceded by the" advent of the Messiah. "This book is frequently referred to in the New Testament (Matt. "11:10; 17:12; Mark 1:2; 9:11, 12; Luke 1:17; Rom. 9:13)."

Definition of Malachi:
"my messenger; my angel"

Related Bible Dictionary Terms:
Malachi Prophecies of