King James Version

What Does Malachi 2:16 Mean?

Malachi 2:16 in the King James Version says “For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith th...” — study this verse from Malachi chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Malachi 2:16 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

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

17

Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?

Read Malachi 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away—שָׂנֵא שַׁלַּח (sane shalach, literally 'he hates sending away/divorce') is God's unambiguous verdict. While Deuteronomy 24:1-4 permitted divorce certificates to regulate an existing practice, Malachi reveals God's heart: He hates divorce itself. This doesn't merely describe divine distaste but covenant violation that provokes holy hatred of injustice. The triadic title 'LORD, the God of Israel' emphasizes the speaker's authority—this is covenant Yahweh's definitive word.

For one covereth violence with his garment—the obscure phrase likely means divorce attempts to conceal (כָּסָה, kasah) חָמָס (chamas, violence/wrong) with the בֶּגֶד (beged, garment), perhaps referring to the husband's garment spread over a wife in betrothal (Ruth 3:9, Ezekiel 16:8). The legal 'covering' of divorce papers doesn't hide the violence of covenant-breaking. Therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously—the repeated warning (cf. v. 15) frames divorce as premeditated treachery requiring spiritual vigilance to prevent.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient Israel, a husband could divorce his wife with a written certificate (Deuteronomy 24:1), but a wife had no reciprocal right. This left divorced women vulnerable, often destitute. The prophets consistently condemned oppression of widows and the fatherless (Isaiah 1:17, Jeremiah 7:6); Malachi extends this protection to divorced wives, characterizing their abandonment as violence. Jesus would later restore God's original intent by forbidding divorce except for sexual immorality (Matthew 19:8-9).

Reflection Questions

  1. How should God's hatred of divorce shape Christian counseling and pastoral care in struggling marriages?
  2. In what ways do legal divorce proceedings 'cover violence with a garment'—appearing civilized while inflicting deep harm?
  3. What does treating divorce as 'violence' (not merely 'unfortunate') reveal about covenant marriage's sacred nature?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
כִּֽי1 of 18
H3588

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

שָׂנֵ֣א2 of 18

“that he hateth”

H8130

to hate (personally)

שַׁלַּ֗ח3 of 18

“putting away”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אָמַ֖ר4 of 18

“saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֣ה5 of 18

“For the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י6 of 18

“the God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל7 of 18

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְכִסָּ֤ה8 of 18

“for one covereth”

H3680

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

חָמָס֙9 of 18

“violence”

H2555

violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain

עַל10 of 18
H5921

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

לְבוּשׁ֔וֹ11 of 18

“with his garment”

H3830

a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife

אָמַ֖ר12 of 18

“saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֣ה13 of 18

“For the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָא֑וֹת14 of 18

“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

וְנִשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם15 of 18

“therefore take heed”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

בְּרוּחֲכֶ֖ם16 of 18

“to your spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

וְלֹ֥א17 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִבְגֹּֽדוּ׃18 of 18

“that ye deal not treacherously”

H898

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

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 2:16 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 2:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 19:3-9Matthew 5:31-32Mark 10:2-12Luke 16:18Proverbs 28:13Isaiah 50:1

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