King James Version

What Does Malachi 1:14 Mean?

Malachi 1:14 in the King James Version says “But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: f...” — study this verse from Malachi chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Malachi 1:14 · KJV

Context

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
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. God pronounces curse on the deceiver (נוֹכֵל, nokhel)—one who deals deceitfully, acts treacherously. This person has in his flock a male (יֵשׁ בְּעֶדְרוֹ זָכָר, yesh be'edro zakhar)—a healthy male animal suitable for sacrifice. He voweth (נֹדֵר, noder)—makes a vow to God promising the best animal. But then he sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing (זֹבֵחַ מָשְׁחָת, zove'aḥ moshḥat)—offers something defective, blemished, corrupted instead. מָשְׁחָת (moshḥat, corrupt) indicates something marred, spoiled, unfit.

This is deliberate deception: promising God the best, giving Him defective substitutes. The motivation: greed—keeping valuable animals while appearing pious. God's response: cursed be the deceiver (אָרוּר נוֹכֵל, arur nokhel). אָרוּר (arur) invokes covenant curse (Deuteronomy 27-28). Ananias and Sapphira exemplify this in Acts 5:1-11—they claimed to give everything but kept back part, lying to the Holy Spirit. God struck them dead.

The reason for severity: for I am a great King (כִּי מֶלֶךְ גָּדוֹל אָנִי, ki melekh gadol ani). God's greatness demands excellence, not leftovers. My name is dreadful among the heathen (וּשְׁמִי נוֹרָא בַגּוֹיִם, ushmi nora va-goyim). נוֹרָא (nora) means feared, revered, awesome. Even pagans recognize God's majesty; only His own people treat Him with contempt.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The practice of making vows pervaded ancient Israel's worship (Leviticus 27, Numbers 30, Deuteronomy 23:21-23). Vows were voluntary but once made, became obligatory—breaking them brought curse. The deceiver in Malachi 1:14 made a public vow (perhaps in temple worship) promising God a valuable male animal, but then privately substituted a defective one, hoping no one would notice. This combines sacrilege (offering unacceptable sacrifice) with deception (breaking vows) and greed (keeping the best for self). Jesus condemned similar hypocrisy in Pharisees who made elaborate vows while neglecting justice and mercy (Matthew 23:16-22). Paul warned against making vows rashly (Acts 23:12-14 describes men who vowed not to eat until they killed Paul). The New Testament encourages making commitments carefully and keeping them faithfully (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6, James 5:12).

Reflection Questions

  1. How might we be guilty of 'bait and switch' with God—promising one thing but delivering less?
  2. What does God's identity as 'great King' demand regarding the quality and sincerity of what we offer Him?
  3. How does the irony that pagans fear God's name while His people despise it challenge our casual approach to worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְאָר֣וּר1 of 19

“But cursed”

H779

to execrate

נוֹכֵ֗ל2 of 19

“be the deceiver”

H5230

to defraud, i.e., act treacherously

וְיֵ֤שׁ3 of 19

“which”

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

בְּעֶדְרוֹ֙4 of 19

“hath in his flock”

H5739

an arrangement, i.e., muster (of animals)

זָכָ֔ר5 of 19

“a male”

H2145

properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)

וְנֹדֵ֛ר6 of 19

“and voweth”

H5087

to promise (pos., to do or give something to god)

וְזֹבֵ֥חַ7 of 19

“and sacrificeth”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

מָשְׁחָ֖ת8 of 19

“a corrupt thing”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

לַֽאדֹנָ֑י9 of 19

“unto the Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

כִּי֩10 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מֶ֨לֶךְ11 of 19

“King”

H4428

a king

גָּד֜וֹל12 of 19

“for I am a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

אָ֗נִי13 of 19
H589

i

אָמַר֙14 of 19

“saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֣ה15 of 19

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָא֔וֹת16 of 19

“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

וּשְׁמִ֖י17 of 19

“and my name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

נוֹרָ֥א18 of 19

“is dreadful”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

בַגּוֹיִֽם׃19 of 19

“among the heathen”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

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 1:14 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 1:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 5:1-102 Corinthians 8:12Ecclesiastes 5:4-5Malachi 1:8Luke 12:46Psalms 76:12

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