Malachi 3:2 But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner's fire, like a launderer's soap.

◄ Malachi 3:2 ►

New International Version
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap.

New Living Translation
“But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes.

English Standard Version
But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.

Berean Standard Bible
But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap.

King James Bible
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

New King James Version
“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire And like launderers’ soap.

New American Standard Bible
“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire, and like launderer’s soap.

NASB 1995
“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.

NASB 1977
“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.

Legacy Standard Bible
“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a smelter’s fire and like fullers’ soap.

Amplified Bible
“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap [which removes impurities and uncleanness].

Christian Standard Bible
But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will be able to stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s bleach.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But who can endure the day of His coming? And who will be able to stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire and like cleansing lye.

American Standard Version
But who can abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

Contemporary English Version
On the day the Lord comes, he will be like a furnace that purifies silver or like strong soap in a washbasin. No one will be able to stand up to him.

English Revised Version
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But who will be able to endure the day he comes? Who will be able to survive on the day he appears? He is like a purifying fire and like a cleansing soap.

Good News Translation
But who will be able to endure the day when he comes? Who will be able to survive when he appears? He will be like strong soap, like a fire that refines metal.

International Standard Version
But who will survive the day when he comes? Or who can stand when he appears? Because he's like a refiner's fire and a launderer's soap,

Majority Standard Bible
But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner?s fire, like a launderer?s soap.

NET Bible
Who can endure the day of his coming? Who can keep standing when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire, like a launderer's soap.

New Heart English Bible
But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is coming like a refiner's fire, and like launderer's soap.

Webster's Bible Translation
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap.

World English Bible
“But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like launderers’ soap;

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
“And who is bearing the day of His coming? And who is standing in His appearing? For He [is] as fire of a refiner, "" And as soap of a fuller.

Young's Literal Translation
And who is bearing the day of his coming? And who is standing in his appearing? For he is as fire of a refiner, And as soap of a fuller.

Smith's Literal Translation
And who enduring the day of his coming? and who standing in his being seen? for he is as the fire of the crucible, as the alkali of the fuller.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And who shall be able to think of the day of his coming? and who shall stand to see him? for he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller's herb:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And who will be able to consider the day of his advent, and who will stand firm in order to see him? For he is like a refining fire, and like the fuller’s herb.

New American Bible
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand firm when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire, like fullers’ lye.

New Revised Standard Version
But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap;

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But who can endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Who endures the day in which he comes, or who can be standing when he is revealed? Because he is like the fire of a refiner and like lye that bleaches

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, And like fullers' soap;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And who will abide the day of his coming? or who will withstand at his appearing? for he is coming in as the fire of a furnace and as the herb of fullers.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Coming Day of Judgment
1“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts. 2But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. 3And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Isaiah 33:14
The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling grips the ungodly: “Who of us can dwell with a consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting flames?”

Jeremiah 6:29-30
The bellows blow fiercely, blasting away the lead with fire. The refining proceeds in vain, for the wicked are not purged. / They are called rejected silver, because the LORD has rejected them.”

Zechariah 13:9
This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”

Psalm 66:10
For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver.

Isaiah 48:10
See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

Daniel 12:10
Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but the wicked will continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.

1 Peter 1:7
so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 3:11-12
I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. / His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Luke 3:16-17
John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. / His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

1 Corinthians 3:13
his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.

Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

Revelation 6:17
For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”

Isaiah 1:25
I will turn My hand against you; I will thoroughly purge your dross; I will remove all your impurities.

Ezekiel 22:18-22
“Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me. All of them are copper, tin, iron, and lead inside the furnace; they are but the dross of silver. / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because all of you have become dross, behold, I will gather you into Jerusalem. / Just as one gathers silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin into the furnace to melt with a fiery blast, so I will gather you in My anger and wrath, leave you there, and melt you. ...

Malachi 4:1
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”

Treasury of Scripture

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appears? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

who may abide.

Malachi 4:1
For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

Amos 5:18-20
Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light…

Matthew 3:7-12
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? …

for.

Isaiah 4:4
When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

Zechariah 13:9
And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

Matthew 3:10-12
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire…

like fullers'.

Psalm 2:7
I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Isaiah 1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Jeremiah 2:22
For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.

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Malachi 3

1. Of the messenger, majesty, and grace of Christ.
7. Of the rebellion,
8. sacrilege,
13. and infidelity of the people.
16. The promise of blessing to those who fear God.

Berean Study Bible

But who can endure the day of His coming?
The phrase "who can endure" suggests a trial or test of strength and character. The Hebrew word for "endure" is "כָּמַה" (kamah), which implies standing firm or remaining steadfast. This rhetorical question emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the Lord's coming, a day of judgment and purification. Historically, the "day of His coming" refers to the anticipated arrival of the Messiah, a time when God would intervene decisively in human history. This expectation is rooted in the prophetic tradition, where the "Day of the Lord" is a time of both judgment and salvation. The question challenges the reader to consider their spiritual readiness and the purity of their heart in anticipation of this divine encounter.

Who can stand when He appears?
The word "stand" in Hebrew is "עָמַד" (amad), which conveys the idea of remaining upright or being able to withstand. This phrase echoes the imagery of a courtroom, where one must be able to stand before a judge. In the context of divine judgment, it underscores the holiness and righteousness required to be in God's presence. The historical context of Malachi's prophecy is a time of spiritual complacency among the Israelites, and this question serves as a call to self-examination and repentance. It reminds believers that only those who are purified and righteous can withstand the scrutiny of God's holy presence.

For He will be like a refiner’s fire
The "refiner’s fire" is a powerful metaphor for purification and transformation. In ancient times, refining involved heating metals to high temperatures to separate impurities, leaving behind pure gold or silver. The Hebrew word for "refiner" is "צָרַף" (tsaraph), which means to smelt or refine. This imagery conveys the idea that God's coming will purify His people, removing sin and impurity. It is a process of intense heat and pressure, symbolizing the trials and challenges that refine a believer's faith and character. This metaphor reassures believers that God's judgment is not merely punitive but redemptive, aimed at restoring holiness and righteousness.

like a launderer’s soap
The "launderer’s soap" further illustrates the theme of cleansing and purification. In ancient times, soap was made from natural substances like alkali and was used to clean garments thoroughly. The Hebrew word for "soap" is "בֹּרִית" (borit), which refers to a cleansing agent. This metaphor complements the refiner's fire, emphasizing the thoroughness of God's cleansing process. It suggests that just as soap removes dirt and stains from clothing, God's presence will cleanse His people from sin and moral defilement. This imagery reassures believers of God's desire to purify and sanctify them, preparing them to stand blameless before Him.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2) This coming of the Lord to His temple acts as a crucial test (comp. Luke 2:35); the people ought, therefore, seriously to have considered how far they were prepared for that advent before they desired it so eagerly and impatiently.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 2. - Who may abide the day of his comings? They had expected him to come and judge the heathen; the prophet warns them that they themselves shall be first judged (comp. Amos 5:18). "Malachi, like John the Baptist, sees the future Judge in the present Saviour" (Wordsworth); Joel 2:11. Who shall stand! Who can stand up under the burden of this judgment? The Vulgate Version,Quis stabit ad videndum eum? points to the brightness of his presence, which eye of man cannot endure. Like a refiner's fire, which separates the precious metal from the refuse. So the Lord at his coming shall sever the good among men from the evil (Isaiah 1:25; Jeremiah 6:29; Zechariah 13:9). Like fullers' soap; Septuagint, ὡς ποιὰ πλυνόντων, "as the grass of washers;" Vulgate, quasi herba fullonum, What is to be understood exactly by the "soap" (borith), washing herb, is not known. Probably the ashes of some plant yielding a lye, like carbonate of soda, are meant. Such plants are met with on the shores of the Mediterranean and Dead Seas, and at this day large quantities of alkalies are extracted from them and exported in different directions (see Tristram, 'Nat. Hist. of the Bible,' p. 480, etc.; comp. Isaiah 4:4; Jeremiah 2:22). The Lord shall wash away all that is filthy (comp. Matthew 3:10, 12).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

But who
וּמִ֤י (ū·mî)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

can endure
מְכַלְכֵּל֙ (mə·ḵal·kêl)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3557: To keep in, to measure, to maintain

the day
י֣וֹם (yō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of His coming?
בּוֹא֔וֹ (bō·w·’ōw)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

And who
וּמִ֥י (ū·mî)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

can stand
הָעֹמֵ֖ד (hā·‘ō·mêḏ)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

when He appears?
בְּהֵרָֽאוֹת֑וֹ (bə·hê·rā·’ō·w·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

He
הוּא֙ (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

will be like a refiner’s
מְצָרֵ֔ף (mə·ṣā·rêp̄)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6884: To smelt, refine, test

fire,
כְּאֵ֣שׁ (kə·’êš)
Preposition-k | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

[like] a launderer's
מְכַבְּסִֽים׃ (mə·ḵab·bə·sîm)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3526: To trample, to wash

soap.
וּכְבֹרִ֖ית (ū·ḵə·ḇō·rîṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1287: Lye, alkali, potash, soap

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OT Prophets: Malachi 3:2 But who can endure the day (Malachi Mal Ml)