King James Version

What Does Malachi 3:5 Mean?

Malachi 3:5 in the King James Version says “And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers...” — study this verse from Malachi chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. oppress: or, defraud”

Malachi 3:5 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

3

And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

4

Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. former: or, ancient

5

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. oppress: or, defraud

6

For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

7

Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Read Malachi 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

After promising purified worship (v. 4), God announces judgment on specific sins. The phrase I will come near to you (וְקָרַבְתִּי אֲלֵיכֶם, veqaravti aleikhem) uses courtroom language—God approaches as judge and prosecutor. A swift witness (עֵד מְמַהֵר, ed mehaher) emphasizes both God's role as eyewitness to all sin and the speed of His judgment—unlike human courts where justice delays, God's judgment comes swiftly and surely.

The catalog of sins reveals both vertical offenses (against God) and horizontal offenses (against people). Sorcerers (מְכַשְּׁפִים, mekhashefim) practiced occult arts forbidden by Torah (Exodus 22:18, Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Adulterers (מְנָאֲפִים, mena'afim) violated marriage covenant, reflecting Israel's spiritual adultery against God. False swearers (נִשְׁבָּעִים לַשֶּׁקֶר, nishba'im la-sheqer) broke oaths, taking God's name in vain.

The social sins follow: oppressing hired workers by withholding wages (עֹשְׁקֵי שְׂכַר־שָׂכִיר, oshqei sekhar-sakhir) violates Leviticus 19:13 and Deuteronomy 24:14-15. Mistreating the widow and the fatherless (אַלְמָנָה וְיָתוֹם, almanah ve-yatom)—society's most vulnerable—contradicts God's repeated commands to protect them (Exodus 22:22, Deuteronomy 10:18, James 1:27). Turning aside the stranger (גֵּר, ger, resident alien) from justice violates the law's provision for foreigners (Exodus 23:9). The root of all these sins: fear not me (וְאֹתִי לֹא יָרֵאוּ, ve'oti lo yare'u)—absence of reverent fear of God produces both idolatry and injustice.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This indictment reflects actual conditions in post-exilic Judah. Despite returning from exile and rebuilding the temple, the people quickly lapsed into the same sins that brought judgment. Occult practices persisted despite clear Torah prohibitions. Marital unfaithfulness was rampant (Malachi 2:14-16). Economic exploitation of workers, widows, orphans, and foreigners characterized the society. Nehemiah encountered similar problems—nobles and officials charging excessive interest and enslaving their fellow Jews (Nehemiah 5:1-13). The prophets consistently linked social justice with true religion; God condemns religious ritual divorced from righteous living (Isaiah 1:10-17, Amos 5:21-24, Micah 6:8). This verse anticipates Christ's judgment on religious hypocrisy—those who appear righteous outwardly but inwardly are full of wickedness (Matthew 23:27-28). The catalog of sins also reflects violations of both tables of the Ten Commandments—idolatry (sorcery), covenant faithfulness (adultery, false oaths), and neighbor love (oppression, injustice).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the fear of God serve as the foundation for both proper worship and just treatment of others?
  2. What does this verse teach about God's concern for social justice alongside doctrinal purity?
  3. In what ways might we be guilty of religious observance while tolerating injustice or oppression in our society?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְקָרַבְתִּ֣י1 of 22

“And I will come near”

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

אֲלֵיכֶם֮2 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לַמִּשְׁפָּט֒3 of 22

“to you to judgment”

H4941

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

וְהָיִ֣יתִי׀4 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

עֵ֣ד5 of 22

“witness”

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

מְמַהֵ֗ר6 of 22

“and I will be a swift”

H4116

properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)

בַּֽמְכַשְּׁפִים֙7 of 22

“against the sorcerers”

H3784

properly, to whisper a spell, i.e., to inchant or practise magic

וּבַמְנָ֣אֲפִ֔ים8 of 22

“and against the adulterers”

H5003

to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize

וּבַנִּשְׁבָּעִ֖ים9 of 22

“swearers”

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

לַשָּׁ֑קֶר10 of 22

“and against false”

H8267

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

וּבְעֹשְׁקֵ֣י11 of 22

“and against those that oppress”

H6231

to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow

שְׂכַר12 of 22

“in his wages”

H7939

payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit

שָׂ֠כִיר13 of 22

“the hireling”

H7916

a man who is hired by the day or year

אַלְמָנָ֨ה14 of 22

“the widow”

H490

a widow; also a desolate place

וְיָת֤וֹם15 of 22

“and the fatherless”

H3490

a bereaved person

וּמַטֵּי16 of 22

“and that turn aside”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

גֵר֙17 of 22

“the stranger”

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

וְלֹ֣א18 of 22
H3808

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

יְרֵא֔וּנִי19 of 22

“from his right and fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

אָמַ֖ר20 of 22

“not me saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֥ה21 of 22

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָאֽוֹת׃22 of 22

“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

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 3:5 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 3:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 5:8-9Hebrews 13:4Deuteronomy 5:11James 5:4Deuteronomy 27:19Malachi 2:14

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