King James Version

What Does Malachi 1:13 Mean?

Malachi 1:13 in the King James Version says “Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that wh...” — study this verse from Malachi chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD. and ye have: or, whereas ye might have blown it away”

Malachi 1:13 · KJV

Context

11

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

12

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.

13

Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD. and ye have: or, whereas ye might have blown it away

14

But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen. which: Heb. in whose flock is

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD. The priests' verbal contempt continues: Behold, what a weariness is it! (הִנֵּה מַתְּלָאָה, hinneh mattela'ah). The noun תְּלָאָה (tela'ah) means weariness, hardship, burden. They viewed worship as tedious obligation rather than joyful privilege. Ye have snuffed at it (וְהִפַּחְתֶּם אוֹתוֹ, vehippaḥtem oto)—the verb נָפַח (napaḥ) means to sniff disdainfully, snort at, treat with contempt. They literally snorted at God's altar.

Their actions matched their words: ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick (וַהֲבֵאתֶם גָּזוּל וְאֶת־הַפִּסֵּחַ וְאֶת־הַחוֹלֶה, vahaveitem gazul ve'et-hapisseaḥ ve'et-haḥoleh). גָּזוּל (gazul, torn) refers to animals mauled by beasts—explicitly forbidden (Leviticus 22:8, Exodus 22:31). They brought the very worst animals, those already dying or dead. God's rhetorical question: should I accept this of your hand? (הַאֶרְצֶה אוֹתָהּ מִיֶּדְכֶם, ha'ertzeh otah miyyed khem). Obviously not.

This verse exposes a deadly spiritual condition: finding God wearisome. When worship becomes drudgery, something is fundamentally wrong. Either we've lost sight of God's glory, or we never truly knew Him. By contrast, those who know God find Him inexhaustibly delightful (Psalm 16:11, 37:4, 43:4, Philippians 4:4).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The priests' weariness with worship revealed hearts far from God. Their complaints paralleled Israel's grumbling in the wilderness when they grew tired of manna and longed for Egypt (Numbers 11:4-6, 21:5). Both demonstrated the same spiritual disease: treating God's provision with contempt. This attitude continues whenever believers view church attendance, prayer, Bible reading, or service as burdensome obligations rather than precious privileges. Jesus offered the remedy: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon me...for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). Those who find Christianity wearisome have either never tasted true grace or have drifted from their first love (Revelation 2:4-5).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it reveal about our spiritual health when we find worship, prayer, or Scripture reading wearisome?
  2. How does genuine encounter with God's grace transform worship from drudgery into delight?
  3. In what areas of Christian life might you be 'snuffing' or treating with contempt what should be precious privilege?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
אָמַ֥ר1 of 22

“Ye said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּ֨ה2 of 22
H2009

lo!

מַתְּלָאָ֜ה3 of 22

“also Behold what a weariness”

H4972

what a trouble!

וְהִפַּחְתֶּ֣ם4 of 22

“is it! and ye have snuffed”

H5301

to puff, in various applications (literally, to inflate, blow hard, scatter, kindle, expire; figuratively, to disesteem)

אוֹת֗וֹ5 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אָמַ֥ר6 of 22

“Ye said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃7 of 22

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֔וֹת8 of 22

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

וַהֲבֵאתֶ֖ם9 of 22

“and ye brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

גָּז֗וּל10 of 22

“that which was torn”

H1497

to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob

וְאֶת11 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַפִּסֵּ֙חַ֙12 of 22

“and the lame”

H6455

lame

וְאֶת13 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַ֣חוֹלֶ֔ה14 of 22

“and the sick”

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

וַהֲבֵאתֶ֖ם15 of 22

“and ye brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶת16 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמִּנְחָ֑ה17 of 22

“an offering”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

הַאֶרְצֶ֥ה18 of 22

“should I accept”

H7521

to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt

אוֹתָ֛הּ19 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִיֶּדְכֶ֖ם20 of 22

“this of your hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אָמַ֥ר21 of 22

“Ye said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃22 of 22

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Malachi. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Malachi 1:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Malachi 1:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Micah 6:3Mark 14:37-38Leviticus 22:19-23Malachi 1:7-8Matthew 6:5Zechariah 7:5-6

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Malachi 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterMalachi Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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