Malachi 1:10

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Malachi 1:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Oh that there were one among you that would shut the doors, that ye might not kindle [fire on] mine altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, saith Jehovah of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Oh that there were one among you that would shut the doors, that ye might not kindle [fire on] mine altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, saith Jehovah of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
Malachi 1:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Malachi 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10Oh that there were one among you that would shut the doors, that ye might not kindle [fire on] mine altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, saith Jehovah of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Who [is there] even among you that would shut the doors [for nought]? etc.] Either of the temple, as the Targum and Jarchi; for at each of the gates of the temple there were porters appointed in David’s time, (<132601>1 Chronicles 26:1-19) and who were paid for their service: or of the court, as Kimchi; the court of the priests where the offerings were brought. The words “for nought” are not, in the original text, at the end of this clause, but at the end of the next; and are by some referred to both; and by others restrained to the latter; and who give this as the sense of the words, “who is there”, or “would there were any among you?”f29 any good man that would shut the doors of the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Who . . . for naught--Not one even of the least priestly functions (as shutting the doors, or kindling a fire on the altar) would ye exercise without pay, therefore ye ought to fulfil them faithfully (Co1 9:13). DRUSIUS and MAURER translate, "Would that there were absolutely some one of you who would shut the doors of the temple (that is, of the inner court, in which was the altar of burnt offerings), and that ye would not kindle fire on My altar in vain!" Better no sacrifices than vain ones (Isa 1:11-15). It was the duty of some of the priests to stand at the doors of the court of the altar of burnt offerings, and to have excluded blemished victims [CALVIN].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Who is there even among you? - This stinginess in God’s service was not confined to those offices which cost something, as the sacrifices. Not even services absolutely costless, which required only a little trouble, as that of closing the folding-doors of the temple or the outer court, or bringing the fire to consume the sacrifices, would they do without some special hire. All was mercenary and hireling service. Others have rendered it as a wish, “who is there among you!” i. e., would that there were one among you, who would close the doors altogether; so shall ye not kindle fire on Mine altar for nought, i. e., fruitlessly! But apart from the difficulty of the construction, it is not God’s…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Who: Instead of mi "who," one manuscript (30; K) with the LXX reads ki "surely," which is adopted by Houbigant and Abp. Newcome, who renders, "Surely the doors shall be closed against you, neither shall ye kindle the fire of my altar in vain." even: Job 1:9-11; Isa 56:11, Isa 56:12; Jer 6:13, Jer 8:10; Mic 3:11; Joh 10:12; Phi 2:21; Pe1 5:2 neither: Co1 9:13 I have: Isa 1:11-15; Jer 6:20; Amo 5:21-24; Heb 10:38 Malachi 1:11”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Mal 1:10. "O that there were one among you, who would shut the doors, that ye might not light mine altar to no purpose! I have no pleasure in you, saith Jehovah of hosts, and sacrificial offering does not please me from your hand. Mal 1:11. For from the rising of the sun to the setting thereof my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is burned and sacrifice offered, and indeed a pure sacrifice to my name; for my name is great among the nations, saith Jehovah of hosts. Mal 1:12. And ye desecrate it with your saying: the table of Jehovah, it is defiled, and its fruit - contemptible is its food. Mal 1:13. And ye say: behold what a plague! and ye blow upon it, saith Jehovah…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification