The Meaning of Malachi 1:12 Explained

Malachi 1:12

KJV: But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.

YLT: And ye are polluting it in your saying, 'The table of Jehovah -- it is polluted, As to its fruit -- despicable is its food.'

Darby: But ye profane it, in that ye say, The table of the Lord is polluted; and the fruit thereof, his food, is contemptible.

ASV: But ye profane it, in that ye say, The table of Jehovah is polluted, and the fruit thereof, even its food, is contemptible.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But ye have profaned  it, in that ye say,  The table  of the LORD  [is] polluted;  and the fruit  thereof, [even] his meat,  [is] contemptible. 

What does Malachi 1:12 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The priests of Malachi"s day were treating Yahweh"s reputation as common. The proof of this was their statements that the altar was defiled and the offerings on it were despised. Their attitude and their actions were wrong.
"Whenever we disregard or circumvent the Lord"s instructions and requirements, such as his requirements for elders and deacons, we profane his name and desecrate his worship." [1]

Context Summary

Malachi 1:1-14 - Sincerity Of Worship Sought
The love referred to in these opening Malachi 1:1-5, was exemplified in the divine choice, that through Israel the whole world might be blessed. Hate does not mean positive dislike but a forfeiture of the supreme place of privilege and ministry. Esau's sensuous nature preferred the mess of pottage to the birthright, and this was characteristic of his people. In Malachi 1:6-14 the prophet turns to the priests. They despised God's name and without scruple offered on his altar the lame, the blind, and the sick. They did not hesitate to speak of the routine of Levitical service as a weariness. Notice the pathetic appeal of Malachi 1:10, r.v., "Oh that there were one to shut the doors of my house, that ye might not offer vain sacrifices!" In contrast to this indifference, the truly marvelous outlook in Malachi 1:11 is very significant. Far away from Jewish altars, God's name was revered in Gentile lands, and sacrifices were offered which He accepted. The words remind us of Acts 10:34-35. [source]

Chapter Summary: Malachi 1

1  Malachi complains of Israel's unkindness;
2  of their irreverence and profaneness

What do the individual words in Malachi 1:12 mean?

But you profane it in that you say the table of Yahweh defiled is and its fruit [is] contemptible Its food
וְאַתֶּ֖ם מְחַלְּלִ֣ים אוֹת֑וֹ בֶּאֱמָרְכֶ֗ם שֻׁלְחַ֤ן אֲדֹנָי֙ מְגֹאָ֣ל ה֔וּא וְנִיב֖וֹ נִבְזֶ֥ה אָכְלֽוֹ

וְאַתֶּ֖ם  But  you 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, second person masculine plural
Root: אַתְּ 
Sense: you (second pers.
מְחַלְּלִ֣ים  profane 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine plural
Root: חָלַל 
Sense: to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin.
בֶּאֱמָרְכֶ֗ם  in  that  you  say 
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct, second person masculine plural
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
שֻׁלְחַ֤ן  the  table 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: שֻׁלְחָן  
Sense: table.
אֲדֹנָי֙  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲדֹנָי  
Sense: my lord, lord.
מְגֹאָ֣ל  defiled 
Parse: Verb, Pual, Participle, masculine singular
Root: גָּאַל  
Sense: to defile, pollute, desecrate.
וְנִיב֖וֹ  and  its  fruit 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: נׄוב 
Sense: fruit.
נִבְזֶ֥ה  [is]  contemptible 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: בָּזָה 
Sense: to despise, hold in contempt, disdain.
אָכְלֽוֹ  Its  food 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אֹכֶל  
Sense: food.