King James Version

What Does Malachi 2:17 Mean?

Malachi 2:17 in the King James Version says “Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evi...” — study this verse from Malachi chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Malachi 2:17 · KJV

Context

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?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye have wearied the LORD with your words—הוֹגַעְתֶּם (hoga'tem, wearied/exhausted) anthropomorphizes divine patience stretched to breaking. The metaphor depicts God as a parent exasperated by relentless childish defiance. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? The incredulous denial follows Malachi's pattern (1:2, 1:6, 1:7)—spiritual blindness preventing self-awareness of sin.

When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them—this reveals Israel's theological confusion. Observing wicked prosper while the righteous suffer (a perennial problem, cf. Psalms 73, Habakkuk 1:13), they conclude God approves evil or is indifferent. The חָפֵץ (chafets, delights) suggests God takes pleasure in wickedness—a slanderous inversion of His character. Or, Where is the God of judgment? The cynical question (אֱלֹהֵי הַמִּשְׁפָּט, Elohei hamishpat) either doubts God's existence or His justice. This sets up 3:1-5's prophecy of sudden divine judgment—the Lord they sarcastically seek will indeed come, but as refiner's fire.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Post-exilic Judah's economic hardship and subjugation to Persia created a theodicy crisis. Despite returning from exile and rebuilding the temple, they remained politically powerless while pagan nations thrived. This fueled skepticism about divine justice—if God controls history, why do the wicked prosper? Malachi addresses this 'silence of God' problem by prophesying the coming Day of the Lord when all moral accounts will be settled (3:16-4:3).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the modern prosperity gospel replicate Israel's error of equating divine blessing with material success?
  2. In what ways do Christians 'weary the LORD' by questioning His justice when the wicked prosper?
  3. How should believers maintain faith in God's judgment when it appears delayed or absent?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
הוֹגָ֑עְנוּ1 of 20

“Wherein have we wearied”

H3021

properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil

יְהוָ֗ה2 of 20

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּדִבְרֵיכֶ֔ם3 of 20

“with your words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

בֶּאֱמָרְכֶ֗ם4 of 20

“Yet ye say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בַּמָּ֣ה5 of 20
H4100

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

הוֹגָ֑עְנוּ6 of 20

“Wherein have we wearied”

H3021

properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil

בֶּאֱמָרְכֶ֗ם7 of 20

“Yet ye say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כָּל8 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עֹ֨שֵׂה9 of 20

“Every one that doeth”

H6213

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

רָ֜ע10 of 20

“evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

ט֣וֹב׀11 of 20

“is good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

בְּעֵינֵ֣י12 of 20

“in the sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יְהוָ֗ה13 of 20

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וּבָהֶם֙14 of 20
H0
ה֣וּא15 of 20
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

חָפֵ֔ץ16 of 20

“and he delighteth”

H2654

properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire

א֥וֹ17 of 20
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

אַיֵּ֖ה18 of 20
H346

where?

אֱלֹהֵ֥י19 of 20

“in them or Where is 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

הַמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃20 of 20

“of judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

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 2:17 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 2:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 43:242 Peter 3:3-4Isaiah 5:18-20Ecclesiastes 8:11Zephaniah 1:12Psalms 73:3-15

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