King James Version

What Does Malachi 2:13 Mean?

Malachi 2:13 in the King James Version says “And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that...” — study this verse from Malachi chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.”

Malachi 2:13 · KJV

Context

11

Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. loved: or, ought to love

12

The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts. the master: or, him that waketh, and him that answereth

13

And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.

14

Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

15

And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. residue: or, excellency godly: Heb. seed of God treacherously: or, unfaithfully

Read Malachi 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out—the second indictment addresses the consequences of the first. Having divorced their Jewish wives (v. 14) to marry pagan women (v. 11), the guilty men now bring their abandoned wives' lamentations to the temple. The divorced women come weeping before God's altar, their tears literally covering it—a powerful image of injustice crying out to heaven, like Abel's blood (Genesis 4:10).

Insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand—לִפְנוֹת אֶל־הַמִּנְחָה (lifnot el-haminchah, to turn toward the offering) is denied. God refuses to accept sacrifices from men who've broken covenant with their wives. The רָצוֹן (ratson, favor/good will) required for acceptable worship is withdrawn. This is covenant lawsuit: the women's tears testify against their husbands, and God sides with the oppressed.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The practice appears to be economically motivated 'trading up'—divorcing faithful Jewish wives (often mothers of grown children, per v. 15) to form advantageous alliances with wealthier pagan families. The social disruption was severe: abandoned women had few means of support in ancient society. Their only recourse was to come to the temple and appeal to God as defender of widows and orphans (Exodus 22:22-24).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's rejection of worship from covenant-breakers challenge contemporary worship culture that ignores relational sin?
  2. In what ways do the 'tears of the oppressed' cover God's altar today, making corporate worship unacceptable?
  3. Why does injustice toward the vulnerable (divorced wives) take precedence over ritual correctness in God's evaluation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְזֹאת֙1 of 18
H2063

this (often used adverb)

שֵׁנִ֣ית2 of 18

“again”

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

תַּֽעֲשׂ֔וּ3 of 18

“And this have ye done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כַּסּ֤וֹת4 of 18

“covering”

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

דִּמְעָה֙5 of 18

“with tears”

H1832

weeping

אֶת6 of 18
H853

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

מִזְבַּ֣ח7 of 18

“the altar”

H4196

an altar

יְהוָ֔ה8 of 18

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּכִ֖י9 of 18

“with weeping”

H1065

a weeping; by analogy, a dripping

וַֽאֲנָקָ֑ה10 of 18

“and with crying out”

H603

shrieking

מֵאֵ֣ין11 of 18
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

ע֗וֹד12 of 18
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

פְּנוֹת֙13 of 18

“insomuch that he regardeth”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

אֶל14 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמִּנְחָ֔ה15 of 18

“not the offering”

H4503

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

וְלָקַ֥חַת16 of 18

“any more or receiveth”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

רָצ֖וֹן17 of 18

“it with good will”

H7522

delight (especially as shown)

מִיֶּדְכֶֽם׃18 of 18

“at 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

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 2:13 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 2:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 1:11-15Psalms 78:34-37Jeremiah 14:12Jeremiah 6:20Deuteronomy 15:9Ecclesiastes 4:1

Test Your Knowledge

Malachi 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterMalachi Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Malachi 2 with CommentaryAll Malachi ChaptersComplete Malachi QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes