The Meaning of Malachi 3:3 Explained

Malachi 3:3

KJV: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

YLT: And he hath sat, a refiner and purifier of silver, And he hath purified the sons of Levi, And hath refined them as gold and as silver, And they have been to Jehovah bringing nigh a present in righteousness.

Darby: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he will purify the children of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver; and they shall offer unto Jehovah an oblation in righteousness.

ASV: and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer unto Jehovah offerings in righteousness.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And he shall sit  [as] a refiner  and purifier  of silver:  and he shall purify  the sons  of Levi,  and purge  them as gold  and silver,  that they may offer  unto the LORD  an offering  in righteousness. 

What does Malachi 3:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Malachi 3:1-12 - A Purging From Evil
The opening verses of this chapter stir the heart like the call of a trumpet. We remember how literally they were fulfilled in the presentation of our Lord in the Temple by His parents. Unnoticed by the crowds, jostled amid the press, borne in the arms of poverty, the King suddenly came to His Temple, even the Messenger of the Covenant. Only two faithful retainers, Simeon and Anna, were there to welcome Him. But there is another and more personal reference. Let us keep the doors of our hearts wide open to the coming of the King. There may be no blare of trumpet, no flash of jewel, no cry of herald, but into your heart's secret shrine He will come. Is not this just what we need? Make haste, great Lord of all, and in our poor hearts do thy blessed work, that we may be refined as gold and silver, and offer to thee an offering in righteousness. Then will it be a delight to bring all the tithes into the storehouse. [source]

Chapter Summary: Malachi 3

1  Of the messenger, majesty, and grace of Christ
7  Of the rebellion,
8  sacrilege,
13  and infidelity of the people
16  The promise of blessing to those who fear God

What do the individual words in Malachi 3:3 mean?

And He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver and He will purify - the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver that they may to Yahweh offer An offering in righteousness
וְיָשַׁ֨ב מְצָרֵ֤ף וּמְטַהֵר֙ כֶּ֔סֶף וְטִהַ֤ר אֶת־ בְּנֵֽי־ לֵוִי֙ וְזִקַּ֣ק אֹתָ֔ם כַּזָּהָ֖ב וְכַכָּ֑סֶף וְהָיוּ֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה מַגִּישֵׁ֥י מִנְחָ֖ה בִּצְדָקָֽה

וְיָשַׁ֨ב  And  He  will  sit 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
מְצָרֵ֤ף  as  a  refiner 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine singular
Root: צָרַף  
Sense: to smelt, refine, test.
וּמְטַהֵר֙  and  a  purifier 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine singular
Root: טָהֵר  
Sense: to be clean, be pure.
כֶּ֔סֶף  of  silver 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: כֶּסֶף  
Sense: silver, money.
וְטִהַ֤ר  and  He  will  purify 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: טָהֵר  
Sense: to be clean, be pure.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
בְּנֵֽי־  the  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
לֵוִי֙  of  Levi 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: לֵוִי 
Sense: the 3rd son of Jacob by Leah and progenitor of tribe of Levites.
וְזִקַּ֣ק  and  purge 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: זָקַק  
Sense: to purify, distil, strain, refine.
כַּזָּהָ֖ב  as  gold 
Parse: Preposition-k, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: זָהָב  
Sense: gold.
וְכַכָּ֑סֶף  and  silver 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: כֶּסֶף  
Sense: silver, money.
וְהָיוּ֙  that  they  may 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, third person common plural
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
לַֽיהוָ֔ה  to  Yahweh 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
מַגִּישֵׁ֥י  offer 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: נָגַשׁ  
Sense: to draw near, approach.
מִנְחָ֖ה  An  offering 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִנְחָה  
Sense: gift, tribute, offering, present, oblation, sacrifice, meat offering.
בִּצְדָקָֽה  in  righteousness 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular
Root: צְדָקָה  
Sense: justice, righteousness.