King James Version

What Does Malachi 1:6 Mean?

Malachi 1:6 in the King James Version says “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master,...” — study this verse from Malachi chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?”

Malachi 1:6 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

4

Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

5

And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel. from: or, upon: Heb. from upon

6

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

7

Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. offer: or, bring unto, etc

8

And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. for: Heb. to

Read Malachi 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. God shifts from defending His love for Israel (vv. 2-5) to indicting priestly contempt. The analogy establishes universal principles: A son honoureth his father (בֵּן יְכַבֵּד אָב, ben yekhabbed av) and a servant his master (וְעֶבֶד אֲדֹנָיו, ve'eved adonav). The verb כָּבַד (kavad) means to honor, glorify, give weight to. Basic human relationships demand respect; how much more the divine-human relationship?

God applies this logic: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? (וְאִם־אָב אָנִי אַיֵּה כְבוֹדִי, ve'im-av ani ayyeh khevodi). God is Father to Israel (Exodus 4:22, Deuteronomy 32:6, Isaiah 63:16), yet receives no כָּבוֹד (kavod, honor/glory). Similarly, if I be a master, where is my fear? (וְאִם־אֲדוֹנִים אָנִי אַיֵּה מוֹרָאִי, ve'im-adonim ani ayyeh mora'i). מוֹרָא (mora) means fear, reverence, awe. The priests who should model honor and reverence instead despise my name (בּוֹזֵי שְׁמִי, bozei shemi)—בָּזָה (bazah) means to despise, show contempt, treat with scorn.

Their defiant response—Wherein have we despised thy name? (בַּמֶּה בָזִינוּ אֶת־שְׁמֶךָ, bameh vazinu et-shemekha)—reveals spiritual blindness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The post-exilic priesthood had grown complacent and mercenary. They controlled temple operations, religious instruction, and mediation between God and people. Their corruption meant Israel's entire spiritual infrastructure was compromised. They violated Leviticus 22:17-25, which forbade defective sacrifices. This pattern appears throughout Israel's history: when spiritual leaders fail, the people follow (2 Chronicles 36:14, Jeremiah 23:11, Ezekiel 22:26). Jesus would later confront similar priestly corruption, cleansing the temple and pronouncing woes on religious leaders who laid heavy burdens on others while neglecting justice, mercy, and faith (Matthew 23).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the father-son and master-servant analogy clarify what God deserves from His people?
  2. In what ways might we show contempt for God's name while maintaining outward religious observance?
  3. What special accountability do spiritual leaders bear for modeling honor and reverence toward God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
בֵּ֛ן1 of 27

“A son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יְכַבֵּ֥ד2 of 27

“honoureth”

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

אָ֣ב3 of 27

“his father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְעֶ֣בֶד4 of 27

“and a servant”

H5650

a servant

אֲדוֹנִ֣ים5 of 27

“and if I be a master”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

וְאִם6 of 27
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אָ֣ב7 of 27

“his father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אָ֣נִי8 of 27
H589

i

אַיֵּ֣ה9 of 27
H346

where?

כְבוֹדִ֡י10 of 27

“where is mine honour”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

וְאִם11 of 27
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֲדוֹנִ֣ים12 of 27

“and if I be a master”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

אָנִי֩13 of 27
H589

i

אַיֵּ֨ה14 of 27
H346

where?

מוֹרָאִ֜י15 of 27

“where is my fear”

H4172

fear; by implication, a fearful thing or deed

וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֕ם16 of 27

“And ye say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֣ה17 of 27

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָא֗וֹת18 of 27

“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

לָכֶם֙19 of 27
H0
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙20 of 27

“unto you O priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

בָזִ֖ינוּ21 of 27

“Wherein have we despised”

H959

to disesteem

שְׁמֶֽךָ׃22 of 27

“my name”

H8034

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

וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֕ם23 of 27

“And ye say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בַּמֶּ֥ה24 of 27
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

בָזִ֖ינוּ25 of 27

“Wherein have we despised”

H959

to disesteem

אֶת26 of 27
H853

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

שְׁמֶֽךָ׃27 of 27

“my name”

H8034

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

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 1:6 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 1:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 6:46Isaiah 1:2John 13:13-17Exodus 20:121 Peter 2:17-191 Peter 1:17

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