King James Version

What Does Malachi 2:14 Mean?

Malachi 2:14 in the King James Version says “Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast...” — study this verse from Malachi chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Malachi 2:14 · KJV

Context

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

16

For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. that he: or, if he hate her, put her away putting: Heb. to put away

Read Malachi 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Yet ye say, Wherefore? Israel's question reveals stunning spiritual obtuseness—they're genuinely puzzled why God rejects their worship. Malachi's entire prophecy features this pattern of divine accusation followed by incredulous denial (1:2, 1:6, 1:7, 2:17, 3:7-8, 3:13). Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth—עֵד (ed, witness) recalls God's role at the marriage covenant. Every marriage occurs before the divine witness who guarantees covenant fidelity.

Against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant—חֲבֶרֶת (chavereth, companion) denotes equal partnership, not mere property. The בְּרִית (berit, covenant) of marriage carries the same weight as Israel's covenant with Yahweh. Divorcing the wife of one's youth is בָּגַד (bagad, treachery), the same term used for Israel's apostasy from God (Jeremiah 3:20). This equation elevates marriage to sacred covenant status and makes divorce a form of covenant-breaking parallel to idolatry.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern marriage was often transactional, viewing wives as property to be acquired and dismissed at will. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 regulated divorce but didn't mandate it. By Jesus's time, competing rabbinic schools debated divorce grounds—Shammai limiting it to sexual immorality, Hillel permitting it for any displeasure. Malachi's absolute language ('the wife of thy covenant') challenged cavalier divorce culture, a theme Jesus would later radicalize (Matthew 19:3-9).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding God as witness to every marriage covenant transform how you view wedding vows?
  2. What does calling a spouse 'companion' rather than 'possession' reveal about God's design for marriage?
  3. In what ways does contemporary Christian divorce culture parallel Malachi's generation—technical legality replacing covenant fidelity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם1 of 19

“Yet ye say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עַל2 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מָ֑ה3 of 19

“Wherefore”

H4100

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

עַ֡ל4 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כִּי5 of 19
H3588

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

יְהוָה֩6 of 19

“Because the LORD”

H3068

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

הֵעִ֨יד7 of 19

“hath been witness”

H5749

to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)

בֵּינְךָ֜8 of 19
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

וּבֵ֣ין׀9 of 19
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

וְאֵ֥שֶׁת10 of 19

“and the wife”

H802

a woman

נְעוּרֶ֗יךָ11 of 19

“of thy youth”

H5271

(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)

אֲשֶׁ֤ר12 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אַתָּה֙13 of 19
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בָּגַ֣דְתָּה14 of 19

“against whom thou hast dealt treacherously”

H898

to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage

בָּ֔הּ15 of 19
H0
וְהִ֥יא16 of 19
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

חֲבֶרְתְּךָ֖17 of 19

“yet is she thy companion”

H2278

a consort

וְאֵ֥שֶׁת18 of 19

“and the wife”

H802

a woman

בְּרִיתֶֽךָ׃19 of 19

“of thy covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

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 2:14 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 2:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Malachi 2:15Ecclesiastes 9:9Isaiah 54:6Genesis 31:50Malachi 3:5Jeremiah 8:12

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