Malachi 2:12
New International Version
As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the LORD remove him from the tents of Jacob —even though he brings an offering to the LORD Almighty.

New Living Translation
May the LORD cut off from the nation of Israel every last man who has done this and yet brings an offering to the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

English Standard Version
May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob any descendant of the man who does this, who brings an offering to the LORD of hosts!

Berean Standard Bible
As for the man who does this, may the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who is awake and aware—even if he brings an offering to the LORD of Hosts.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob The man who does this, being awake and aware, Yet who brings an offering to the LORD of hosts!

New American Standard Bible
As for the man who does this, may the LORD eliminate from the tents of Jacob everyone who is awake and answers, or who presents an offering to the LORD of armies.

NASB 1995
“As for the man who does this, may the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who awakes and answers, or who presents an offering to the LORD of hosts.

NASB 1977
As for the man who does this, may the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who awakes and answers, or who presents an offering to the LORD of hosts.

Legacy Standard Bible
As for the man who does this, may Yahweh cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who awakes and answers or who presents an offering to Yahweh of hosts.

Amplified Bible
As for the man who does this, may the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob to the last man those who do this [evil thing], awake and aware, even the one who brings an offering to the LORD of hosts.

Christian Standard Bible
May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob the man who does this, whoever he may be, even if he presents an offering to the LORD of Armies.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
To the man who does this, may the LORD cut off any descendants from the tents of Jacob, even if they present an offering to the LORD of Hosts.

American Standard Version
Jehovah will cut off, to the man that doeth this, him that waketh and him that answereth, out of the tents of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto Jehovah of hosts.

Contemporary English Version
I pray that the LORD will no longer let those who are guilty belong to his people, even if they eagerly decide to offer the LORD a gift.

English Revised Version
The LORD will cut off to the man that doeth this him that waketh and him that answereth, out of the tents of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
May the LORD exclude anyone who does this, whoever he may be. May he exclude them from Jacob's tents and from bringing offerings to the LORD of Armies.

Good News Translation
May the LORD remove from the community of Israel those who did this, and never again let them participate in the offerings our nation brings to the LORD Almighty.

International Standard Version
May the LORD exclude from the community of Jacob any man who does this, whoever he may be, even though he brings offerings to the LORD of the Heavenly Armies.

Majority Standard Bible
As for the man who does this, may the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who is awake and aware—even if he brings an offering to the LORD of Hosts.

NET Bible
May the LORD cut off from the community of Jacob every last person who does this, as well as the person who presents improper offerings to the LORD who rules over all!

New Heart English Bible
The LORD will cut off, to the man who does this, him who wakes and him who answers, out of the tents of Jacob, and him who offers an offering to the LORD of hosts.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 to the LORD of hosts.

World English Bible
Yahweh will cut off the man who does this, him who wakes and him who answers, out of the tents of Jacob and him who offers an offering to Yahweh of Armies.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
YHWH cuts off the man who does it, "" Tempter and tempted—from the tents of Jacob, "" Even he who is bringing a present near to YHWH of Hosts.

Young's Literal Translation
Cut off doth Jehovah the man who doth it, Tempter and tempted -- from the tents of Jacob, Even he who is bringing nigh a present to Jehovah of Hosts.

Smith's Literal Translation
Jehovah will cut off to the man which shall do it, him waking, and him answering from the tents of Jacob, and him bringing near a gift to Jehovah of armies.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The Lord will cut off the man that hath done this, both the master, and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering to the Lord of hosts.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The Lord will drive away the man who has done this, both the teacher and the disciple, from the tabernacles of Jacob and from those offering a gift to the Lord of hosts.

New American Bible
May the LORD cut off from the man who does this both witness and advocate from the tents of Jacob, and anyone to bring an offering to the LORD of hosts!

New Revised Standard Version
May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob anyone who does this—any to witness or answer, or to bring an offering to the LORD of hosts.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The LORD will destroy the man who does this, and also his son and his son's son out of the tabernacle of Jacob; and he shall have none to present the offering to the LORD of hosts.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
LORD JEHOVAH shall destroy the man who will do this, and his son and the son of his son from the tents of Yaqob, and he shall have no one who brings an offering to LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
May the LORD cut off to the man that doeth this, Him that calleth and him that answereth out of the tents of Jacob, And him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The Lord will utterly destroy the man that does these things, until he be even cast down from out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and from among them that offer sacrifice to the Lord Almighty.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judah's Unfaithfulness
11Judah has broken faith; an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god. 12As for the man who does this, may the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob everyone who is awake and aware— even if he brings an offering to the LORD of Hosts. 13And this is another thing you do: You cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and groaning, because He no longer regards your offerings or receives them gladly from your hands.…

Cross References
Ezra 9:2
Indeed, the Israelites have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed has been mixed with the people of the land. And the leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!”

Nehemiah 13:23-27
In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. / Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah. / I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves! ...

Deuteronomy 7:3-4
Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, / because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.

1 Kings 11:1-2
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love.

2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” ...

1 Corinthians 5:11-13
But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. / What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? / God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”

1 Corinthians 7:39
A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.

Judges 3:5-6
Thus the Israelites continued to live among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. / And they took the daughters of these people in marriage, gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods.

Exodus 34:15-16
Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices. / And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same.

Joshua 23:12-13
For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them, / know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you.

1 Kings 11:9-11
Now the LORD grew angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. / Although He had warned Solomon explicitly not to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD’s command. / Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.

2 Kings 17:34-41
To this day they are still practicing their former customs. None of them worship the LORD or observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments that the LORD gave the descendants of Jacob, whom He named Israel. / For the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites and commanded them, “Do not worship other gods or bow down to them; do not serve them or sacrifice to them. / Instead, worship the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm. You are to bow down to Him and offer sacrifices to Him. ...

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

Matthew 19:4-6
Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ / and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? / So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

Mark 10:6-9
However, from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ / ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, / and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. ...


Treasury of Scripture

The LORD will cut off the man that does this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offers an offering to the LORD of hosts.

cut.

Leviticus 18:29
For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.

Leviticus 20:3
And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.

Numbers 15:30,31
But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people…

the master and the scholar.

1 Chronicles 25:8
And they cast lots, ward against ward, as well the small as the great, the teacher as the scholar.

Ezra 10:18,19
And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah…

Nehemiah 13:28,29
And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me…

out.

Numbers 24:5
How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!

Zechariah 12:7
The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah.

and him.

Malachi 2:10
Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?

Genesis 4:3-5
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD…

1 Samuel 3:14
And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

Jump to Previous
Almighty Answers Armies Awakes Branch Cut Hosts Jacob Master Nigh Oblation Offereth Offering Offerings Offers Presents Root Scholar Tabernacles Tempter Tents Wakes Waketh Witness
Jump to Next
Almighty Answers Armies Awakes Branch Cut Hosts Jacob Master Nigh Oblation Offereth Offering Offerings Offers Presents Root Scholar Tabernacles Tempter Tents Wakes Waketh Witness
Malachi 2
1. He sharply reproves the priests for neglecting their covenant;
10. and the people for marrying strange wives;
13. and for putting away their former ones,
17. and for infidelity.














As for the man who does this
This phrase refers to the individual who commits the sin of marrying foreign women who worship other gods, as discussed earlier in Malachi 2. The Hebrew root for "man" here is "ish," which often denotes not just a male individual but a person of responsibility and covenantal obligation. The phrase sets the stage for a divine judgment against those who violate the covenantal purity expected of God's people.

may the LORD cut off
The Hebrew word for "cut off" is "karath," which implies a severe form of divine judgment, often associated with being removed from the community or facing death. This reflects the seriousness with which God views covenant unfaithfulness. The phrase underscores the gravity of the offense and the divine prerogative to maintain the holiness of His people.

from the tents of Jacob
The "tents of Jacob" symbolize the dwelling places of the Israelites, the descendants of Jacob. This phrase evokes the historical and covenantal identity of Israel as God's chosen people. It serves as a reminder of their unique calling and the expectation of holiness that comes with it. The imagery of "tents" also recalls the nomadic heritage of the patriarchs, emphasizing a life lived in dependence on God.

every last one who awakens and answers
This phrase is somewhat enigmatic, but it likely refers to those who are alert and responsive within the community. The Hebrew words "er" (awaken) and "anah" (answer) suggest a comprehensive judgment that spares no one who is complicit in the sin. It highlights the thoroughness of God's judgment against covenant unfaithfulness.

or who presents an offering to the LORD of Hosts
The act of presenting an offering is central to Israelite worship and covenant relationship with God. However, the phrase here indicates that even those who continue religious practices are not exempt from judgment if they are unfaithful. The title "LORD of Hosts" emphasizes God's sovereignty and power, reminding the people that He commands the heavenly armies and is not to be trifled with. This serves as a sobering reminder that external religious observance cannot substitute for genuine covenant fidelity.

(12) The man.--Better, to the man.

The master and the scholar.--This is the Talmudic interpretation of the Hebrew expression, which occurs only in this passage, but it is unsuitable (besides being philologically precarious), for the passage refers to the whole nation rather than to those who were their appointed scholars and teachers. It is better to render it, "watchman and answerer: i.e., the watchman who cried in the city, "Who comes there?" and him who answers, "Friend," which is an exhaustive expression for all living persons, and so, in this context, "all posterity." This is the interpretation of Gesenius, who quotes in support of it an Arabic expression from the life of Tim£r-lang (Timur the lame, Tamerlane):--"When he left the city, there was not a crier or an answerer in it"--i.e., there was not a person left alive. "Neither root nor branch" is another exhaustive term used by our prophet (Malachi 4:1). The Chaldee paraphrase gives the sense of the words in "son and son's son."

And him that offereth an offering . . .--Some refer this to the case in which the offender is a priest (Nehemiah 13:28); others understand it as "any one who might offer a sacrifice for him in expiation of his sin." But since the highest privilege of the Jew was to bring offerings to the Sanctuary, the words may be merely a repetition of the former expression in different terms, and mean "a descendant enjoying religious privileges." The intermarriage with heathens referred to here is that mentioned in Nehemiah 13:23-28, not the earlier case recorded in Ezra 9, 10.

Verse 12. - Will cut off. The Hebrew is an imprecation, "May the Lord cut off" (Deuteronomy 7:2, 3). It implies that the transgressor shall be deprived of his position as one of the covenant people, and shall leave no one to maintain his name and family. The man. Others render, "unto the man," making the following words the direct object of the verb. The master and the scholar; so the Vulgate, magistrum et discipulum; literally, the watcher and the answerer, i.e. the watchman and the inhabitants of the city; the LXX., reading somewhat differently, has, ἕως καὶ ταπεινωθῇ ἐκ σκηνωμάτων Ἰακώβ, "until he be brought low from the tents of Jacob," meaning, until he repent and return humbly to obedience. In this case the term "cut off" must be taken in some milder sense than "exterminate." The present text, however, seems to be a kind of alliterative proverbial saying to express totality, everybody; though whence it arose, and what is its exact signification, are matters of great uncertainty. Some take the phrase to mean," every waking and speaking person," i.e. every living soul. The English and Latin Versions proceed on the assumption (which Pusey denies) that the first verb can be taken actively, "he that awakeneth," the teacher being so called as stimulating the scholar, who is named "the answerer." The Targum and Syriac explain it by "son and son's son." Of the various suggestions offered, the most probable is that it is a military phrase derived from the challenge of the sentinels and the answer thereto, which in time came to de. note the whole inhabitants of a camp or city. The tabernacles. The dwellings. Or the word, as Dr. Cox supposes, may belong to the original saying, and have come down from the remote period when the Israelites lived in tents. And him that offereth an offering (michchah) unto the Lord of hosts. The same punishment shall fall on one who offers even an oblation of meal for men who are guilty of this sin. This sin would appertain specially to the priests. Or we may take the clause in a general sense. God will cut off every such transgressor, even if he try to propitiate the Lord by making an offering before trim (Ecclus. 35. [32] 12), "Do not think to corrupt with gifts; for such he will not receive: and trust not to unrighteous sacrifices; for the Lord is Judge, and with him is no respect of persons."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
[As] for the man
לָאִ֨ישׁ (lā·’îš)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

who
אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

does this,
יַעֲשֶׂ֙נָּה֙ (ya·‘ă·śen·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

may the LORD
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

cut off
יַכְרֵ֨ת (yaḵ·rêṯ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

from the tents
מֵאָהֳלֵ֖י (mê·’ā·ho·lê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 168: A tent

of Jacob
יַֽעֲקֹ֑ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

[everyone who is] awake
עֵ֣ר (‘êr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5782: To rouse oneself, awake

and aware—
וְעֹנֶ֔ה (wə·‘ō·neh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

even if he brings
וּמַגִּ֣ישׁ (ū·mag·gîš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach

an offering
מִנְחָ֔ה (min·ḥāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering

to the LORD
לַֽיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts.
צְבָאֽוֹת׃ (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign


Links
Malachi 2:12 NIV
Malachi 2:12 NLT
Malachi 2:12 ESV
Malachi 2:12 NASB
Malachi 2:12 KJV

Malachi 2:12 BibleApps.com
Malachi 2:12 Biblia Paralela
Malachi 2:12 Chinese Bible
Malachi 2:12 French Bible
Malachi 2:12 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Malachi 2:12 Yahweh will cut off to the man (Malachi Mal Ml)
Malachi 2:11
Top of Page
Top of Page