Malachi 2:16

“For he hates divorce, says YHWH, Elohim of Israel, and the one who covers his garment with violence, says YHWH Tsevaot. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not betray.”

Malachi 2:16 · direct translation from the Hebrew
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God calls to account the man who betrayed the wife of his youthDating and Marriage

With the Hebrew beneath

16

Malachi 2:16, word by word

he hatesשָׂנֵאsane

hate

To feel rejection and hostility toward someone, to the point of wishing him harm.

Where else “sane” appears
divorceשַׁלַּחshalach

send away

To send away, or divorce one's wife.

Where else “shalach” appears
saysאָמַרamar

say

To say with the mouth to someone what one thinks or wants, or to answer him.

Where else “amar” appears
YHWHיְהוָהyehva

YHWH

The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.

Where else “yehva” appears
Elohimאֱלֹהֵיelohe

Elohim

The one true God, the Creator; the word is plural but means one.

Where else “elohe” appears
of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyisrael

Israel

Israel, the new name Jacob received from God, explained as "you have striven with God" (Genesis 32:28); then the name of the people that came from him and, after the division, of the northern kingdom.

Where else “yisrael” appears
and the one who coversכִסָּהchisa

cover

To put something over a thing so that it can no longer be seen.

Where else “chisa” appears
his garmentלְבוּשׁlevush

garment

Garment, clothing.

Where else “levush” appears
with violenceחָמָסchamas

violence

Violence; unjust harm done to others.

Where else “chamas” appears
Tsevaotצְבָאוֹתtsevaot

Tsevaot

A name of God: the one who commands the armies of heaven and earth.

Where else “tsevaot” appears
So guard yourselvesנִשְׁמַרְתֶּםnishmartem

take care

To watch out for oneself.

Where else “nishmartem” appears
in your spiritרוּחֲruach

spirit

What moves a person inside: their life, their mood.

Where else “ruach” appears
betrayתִבְגֹּדוּtivgodu

act treacherously

Be unfaithful: break one's word or someone's trust.

Where else “tivgodu” appears

Translation note

“Divorce”: sending away one's wife. It can also be understood: “if one hates her and sends her away, he covers his garment with violence.”

The context

15And did he not make one, and a remnant of spirit is his? And what of the one? He was seeking offspring of Elohim. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not let anyone betray the wife of your youth.

16 · This verse (above)

17You have wearied YHWH with your words. And you say, “How have we wearied him?” In that you say, “Everyone who does evil is good in the eyes of YHWH, and in them he delights”; or, “Where is the Elohim of judgment?”

Read all of Malachi 2

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