Malachi 3:8
New International Version
“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings.

New Living Translation
“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.

English Standard Version
Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.

Berean Standard Bible
Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings.

King James Bible
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

New King James Version
“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.

New American Standard Bible
“Would anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.

NASB 1995
“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.

NASB 1977
“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed Thee?’ In tithes and offerings.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and contributions.

Amplified Bible
“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings [you have withheld].

Christian Standard Bible
“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me! ” “How do we rob you? ” you ask. “By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me!” You ask: “How do we rob You?"” By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions.

American Standard Version
Will a man rob God? yet ye rob me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Contemporary English Version
You people are robbing me, your God. And, here you are, asking, "How are we robbing you?" You are robbing me of the offerings and of the ten percent that belongs to me.

English Revised Version
Will a man rob God? yet ye rob me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Can a person cheat God? Yet, you are cheating me! "But you ask, 'How are we cheating you?' "When [you don't bring] a tenth of your income and other contributions.

Good News Translation
I ask you, is it right for a person to cheat God? Of course not, yet you are cheating me. 'How?' you ask. In the matter of tithes and offerings.

International Standard Version
"Will a person rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?' "By the tithe and the offering.

NET Bible
Can a person rob God? You indeed are robbing me, but you say, 'How are we robbing you?' In tithes and contributions!

New Heart English Bible
Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In tithes and offerings.

Webster's Bible Translation
Will a man rob God? yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, In what have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings.

World English Bible
Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In tithes and offerings.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Does man deceive God? But you are deceiving Me, "" And you have said, "" In what have we deceived You? The tithe and the raised-offering!

Young's Literal Translation
Doth man deceive God? but ye are deceiving Me, And ye have said: 'In what have we deceived Thee?' The tithe and the heave-offering!

Smith's Literal Translation
Will man defraud God? For ye defraud me. And ye said, In what did we defraud thee? The tenths and the offerings.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Shall a man afflict God? for you afflict me. And you have said: Wherein do we afflict thee? in tithes and in firstfruits.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If a man will afflict God, then you greatly afflict me. And you have said, “In what way, do we afflict you?” In tithes and in first-fruits.

New American Bible
Can anyone rob God? But you are robbing me! And you say, “How have we robbed you?” Of tithes and contributions!

New Revised Standard Version
Will anyone rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say, “How are we robbing you?” In your tithes and offerings!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Will a man defraud God as you have defrauded me? But you say, How have we defrauded thee? In tithes and offerings.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Will a son of man cheat God as you are cheating me? And if you say, ”In what have we cheated you?” In tithes and in first fruits
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Will a man rob God? Yet ye rob Me. But ye say: 'Wherein have we robbed Thee?' In tithes and heave-offerings.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Will a man insult God? for ye insult me. But ye say, Wherein have we insulted thee? In that the tithes and first-fruits are with you still.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Robbing God
7Yet from the days of your fathers, you have turned away from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Hosts. “But you ask, ‘How can we return?’ 8Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9You are cursed with a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing Me.…

Cross References
Leviticus 27:30-32
Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. / If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value. / Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to the LORD.

Deuteronomy 14:22-29
You must be sure to set aside a tenth of all the produce brought forth each year from your fields. / And you are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks, in the presence of the LORD your God at the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. / But if the distance is too great for you to carry that with which the LORD your God has blessed you, because the place where the LORD your God will choose to put His Name is too far away, ...

Nehemiah 13:10-12
I also learned that because the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, all the Levites and singers responsible for performing the service had gone back to their own fields. / So I rebuked the officials and asked, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” Then I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts, / and all Judah brought a tenth of the grain, new wine, and oil into the storerooms.

Proverbs 3:9-10
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops; / then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Luke 11:42
Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.

2 Chronicles 31:4-6
Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD. / As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously provided the firstfruits of the grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance—a tithe of everything. / And the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things consecrated to the LORD their God, and they laid them in large heaps.

Numbers 18:21-24
Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. / No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. / The Levites are to perform the work of the Tent of Meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites. ...

Hebrews 7:5-9
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham. / But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. / And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater. ...

1 Corinthians 9:13-14
Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

Genesis 14:18-20
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High— / and he blessed Abram and said: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, / and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.

2 Kings 12:4-5
Then Joash said to the priests, “Collect all the money brought as sacred gifts into the house of the LORD—the census money, the money from vows, and the money brought voluntarily into the house of the LORD. / Let every priest receive it from his constituency, and let it be used to repair any damage found in the temple.”

Amos 4:4-5
“Go to Bethel and transgress; rebel even more at Gilgal! Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days. / Offer leavened bread as a thank offering, and loudly proclaim your freewill offerings. For that is what you children of Israel love to do,” declares the Lord GOD.

Haggai 1:4-11
“Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” / Now this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Consider carefully your ways. / You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.” ...

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.


Treasury of Scripture

Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me. But you say, Wherein have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings.

a man.

Psalm 29:2
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Proverbs 3:9,10
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: …

Matthew 22:21
They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

In.

Malachi 1:8,13
And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts…

Leviticus 5:15,16
If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering: …

Leviticus 27:2-34
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by thy estimation…

Jump to Previous
Deceive Deceived Deceiving Heave-Offering Heave-Offerings How Kept Offerings Right Rob Robbed Robbing Tenths Tithe Tithes Wherein
Jump to Next
Deceive Deceived Deceiving Heave-Offering Heave-Offerings How Kept Offerings Right Rob Robbed Robbing Tenths Tithe Tithes Wherein
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.














Will a man rob God?
This rhetorical question challenges the audacity of humans attempting to deprive God of what is rightfully His. In the context of ancient Israel, God had established a covenant with His people, which included specific laws about tithes and offerings. The idea of "robbing" God underscores the seriousness of failing to fulfill these obligations. The question implies that such an act is not only possible but is occurring, highlighting the people's spiritual and moral decline.

Yet you are robbing Me!
God directly accuses the Israelites of theft, emphasizing the personal nature of their disobedience. This statement reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where the people were expected to honor God with their resources. The use of "Me" indicates that their failure to give tithes and offerings is not just a social or communal issue but a direct affront to God Himself.

But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’
The people's response reveals either ignorance or denial of their wrongdoing. This question suggests a disconnect between their religious practices and the requirements set by God. It reflects a common theme in prophetic literature where the people are unaware of their spiritual state. This question sets the stage for God to clarify their specific transgressions.

In tithes and offerings.
Tithes were a tenth of one's produce or income, designated for the support of the Levites, the temple, and the poor. Offerings were additional gifts given to God, often as acts of worship or thanksgiving. By withholding these, the Israelites were failing to support the religious and social structures ordained by God. This failure is not just a financial issue but a spiritual one, reflecting a lack of trust and obedience. The concept of tithes and offerings is rooted in the Law of Moses, with connections to passages like Leviticus 27:30-32 and Deuteronomy 14:22-29. This practice foreshadows the ultimate offering of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and becomes the perfect sacrifice for humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Malachi
The prophet through whom God delivers His message to the Israelites. His name means "my messenger" in Hebrew.

2. God
The speaker in this verse, addressing the Israelites about their failure to give tithes and offerings.

3. Israelites
The people of Israel, who are being accused of robbing God by withholding tithes and offerings.

4. Tithes and Offerings
The specific means by which the Israelites are accused of robbing God. Tithes were a tenth of one's income, while offerings were additional gifts.

5. Temple
The place where tithes and offerings were brought, serving as the center of worship and community life for the Israelites.
Teaching Points
Understanding God's Ownership
Recognize that everything we have is from God, and tithing is an acknowledgment of His provision and sovereignty.

Faithfulness in Giving
Tithing and offerings are acts of obedience and trust in God's provision, reflecting our faithfulness to Him.

Heart Attitude in Giving
God desires a willing and cheerful heart in giving, not just the fulfillment of a duty.

Impact on Community
Tithes and offerings support the work of the church and the needs of the community, reflecting God's love and care for others.

Spiritual Consequences
Withholding tithes can lead to spiritual stagnation, while faithful giving can open the door to God's blessings.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Malachi 3:8?

2. How does Malachi 3:8 define robbing God through "tithes and offerings"?

3. What are the consequences of withholding tithes according to Malachi 3:8?

4. How does Malachi 3:8 connect with 2 Corinthians 9:7 about cheerful giving?

5. In what ways can we ensure faithful giving in our modern context?

6. How can Malachi 3:8 inspire us to prioritize God in financial decisions?

7. What does Malachi 3:8 mean by "robbing God" in terms of tithes and offerings?

8. How does Malachi 3:8 challenge the concept of stewardship in Christianity?

9. Why is the issue of tithing significant in Malachi 3:8?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Malachi 3?

11. Malachi 3:8–10 – How do we reconcile this injunction about tithes with a modern economy and the lack of a physical temple?

12. Is it possible for a man to rob God?

13. Is it possible for a man to rob God?

14. What does "Rebuke the Devourer" mean?
What Does Malachi 3:8 Mean
Will a man rob God?

• The question is meant to stun the listener. Robbery against people is bad enough; stealing from the Owner of all creation is unthinkable.

Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof,” underscoring that everything already belongs to Him.

Job 41:11 reminds us, “Everything under heaven belongs to Me.” Attempting to withhold what God claims is therefore rebellion against His sovereign ownership.

Romans 11:36 affirms, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” The rhetorical force of Malachi’s opening line is to expose the absurdity of withholding what is due the Lord.


Yet you are robbing Me!

• God drops the rhetorical device and states the charge plainly. Their sin is not hypothetical; it is happening in real time.

1 Samuel 2:30 shows that God honors those who honor Him and despises those who treat Him lightly. Israel’s failure to give communicates contempt rather than honor.

Hosea 4:7 demonstrates how blessings can turn to shame when God’s people forget Him. Here, withheld worship (through giving) converts blessing into guilt.

• Notice the personal pronoun “Me.” To shortchange God’s appointed system is to offend God Himself, not merely the priestly structure attached to it.


But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’

• The people profess ignorance, revealing either self-deception or hardened hearts.

Proverbs 21:2 cautions, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.” Their question exposes a disconnect between their self-assessment and God’s evaluation.

James 1:22 warns against being hearers only. Israel heard the Law but failed to connect it to their practical obedience.

• The dialogue uncovers a deeper issue: spiritual dullness. Isaiah 29:13 notes people who “honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me,” a pattern repeating here.


In tithes and offerings.

• God identifies the specific arena of theft: the tithe (a tenth) and additional free-will offerings.

Leviticus 27:30: “Any tithe of the land… belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.”

Numbers 18:21 shows tithes supported the Levites’ ministry; withholding them crippled worship life.

Deuteronomy 12:6–7 ties offerings to joyful fellowship with God, meaning their stinginess robbed both God and themselves of celebratory communion.

• New-Covenant giving remains grounded in the same principle of honoring God first:

1 Corinthians 9:13-14 connects temple provision with gospel ministry today.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 urges cheerful generosity, promising that “God loves a cheerful giver”.

• Withholding the tithe produced tangible consequences: Malachi 3:9 speaks of a curse, while verse 10 offers blessing if they return. God’s economy still operates on sowing and reaping (Luke 6:38).


summary

Malachi 3:8 confronts Israel with the shocking idea that human beings can steal from the Almighty by refusing the tithes and offerings He commands. God owns everything, yet in grace He entrusts resources to His people and assigns a portion back to Himself as an act of worship. When that portion is withheld, it signals contempt, harms the worship community, and severs channels of blessing. The passage calls God’s people—then and now—to honor Him first in material stewardship, confident that obedience unlocks His promised provision.

(8) Robbed me.--Because the tithes are said to be offered to Jehovah, and then He gives them to the Levites in place of an inheritance (Numbers 18:24).

In tithes and offerings.--See Notes on Exodus 23:19; Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18:12; Numbers 18:21-24; Deuteronomy 18:4; Leviticus 3:1-17; Leviticus 7:11-21; Leviticus 7:28-36. . . .

Verse 8. - Will a man rob God? The prophet shows the people how they have departed from God, in not keeping even the outward observances of religion. The word translated "rob," defraud, found also in Proverbs 22:23, etc., is rendered in the Septuagint, πτερνιεῖ, "trip up," "supplant;" Vulgate, si affliget homo Deum, or, as St. Jerome first translated, "si affiget homo Deum," and referred the words to the crucifixion of our Lord. In tithes and offerings. These were due to the Lord, and therefore in withholding them they were defrauding not man but God. (For tithe, see Leviticus 27:30, etc.; Numbers 18:21. See the complaint of Nehemiah, Nehemiah 13:10-12.) The "offering" meant is the heave offering, the breast and shoulder of the peace offering, which were the priests' portion (Exodus 29:27; Leviticus 7:14, 32-34; comp. Nehemiah 10:37-39).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Will a man
אָדָ֜ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

rob
הֲיִקְבַּ֨ע (hă·yiq·ba‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6906: To cover, defraud

God?
אֱלֹהִ֗ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

Yet
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you
אַתֶּם֙ (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are robbing
קֹבְעִ֣ים (qō·ḇə·‘îm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6906: To cover, defraud

Me!”
אֹתִ֔י (’ō·ṯî)
Direct object marker | first person common singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

You ask,
וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם (wa·’ă·mar·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“How
בַּמֶּ֣ה (bam·meh)
Preposition-b | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

do we rob You?”
קְבַעֲנ֑וּךָ (qə·ḇa·‘ă·nū·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6906: To cover, defraud

“In tithes
הַֽמַּעֲשֵׂ֖ר (ham·ma·‘ă·śêr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4643: Tenth part, tithe

and offerings.
וְהַתְּרוּמָֽה׃ (wə·hat·tə·rū·māh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8641: Contribution, offering (for sacred uses)


Links
Malachi 3:8 NIV
Malachi 3:8 NLT
Malachi 3:8 ESV
Malachi 3:8 NASB
Malachi 3:8 KJV

Malachi 3:8 BibleApps.com
Malachi 3:8 Biblia Paralela
Malachi 3:8 Chinese Bible
Malachi 3:8 French Bible
Malachi 3:8 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet you (Malachi Mal Ml)
Malachi 3:7
Top of Page
Top of Page