Discovery BoxMalachi 1:12 
Context1:12 “But you are profaning it by saying that the table of the Lord is common and its offerings 1 despicable.
Malachi 3:4
Context3:4 The offerings 2 of Judah and Jerusalem 3 will be pleasing to the Lord as in former times and years past.
Malachi 3:6
Context3:6 “Since, I, the Lord, do not go back on my promises, 4 you, sons of Jacob, have not perished.
Malachi 4:5
Context4:5 Look, I will send you Elijah 5 the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord arrives.
1 tn Heb “fruit.” The following word “food” in the Hebrew text (אָכְלוֹ, ’okhlo) appears to be an explanatory gloss to clarify the meaning of the rare word נִיב (niv, “fruit”; see Isa 57:19 Qere; נוֹב, nov, “fruit,” in Kethib). Cf. ASV “the fruit thereof, even its food.” In this cultic context the reference is to the offerings on the altar.
2 tn Or “gift.”
3 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
4 tn Heb “do not change.” This refers to God’s ongoing commitment to his covenant promises to Israel.
5 sn I will send you Elijah the prophet. In light of the ascension of Elijah to heaven without dying (2 Kgs 2:11), Judaism has always awaited his return as an aspect of the messianic age (see, e.g., John 1:19-28). Jesus identified John the Baptist as Elijah, because he came in the “spirit and power” of his prototype Elijah (Matt 11:14; 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36).
