Introduction to Malachi

The Author

The book is ascribed to Malachi, whose name means “my messenger.” Since the term occurs in 3:1, and since both prophets and priests were called messengers of the Lord (see 2:7; Haggai 1:13), some have thought “Malachi” to be only a title that tradition has given the author. The view has been supported by appeal to the pre-Christian Greek translation of the OT (the Septuagint), which translates the term in 1:1 “his messenger” rather than as a proper noun. The matter, however, remains uncertain, and it is still very likely that Malachi was in fact the author’s name.

The Date

The similarity between the sins denounced in Nehemiah and those denounced in Malachi suggests that the two leaders were contemporaries. Malachi may have been written after Nehemiah returned to Persia in 433 b.c. or during his second period as governor. Since the governor mentioned in 1:8 was probably not Nehemiah, the first alternative may be more likely. Malachi was most likely the last prophet of the OT era (though some place Joel later).

The Message

The theological message of the book can be summed up in one sentence: The Great King (1:14) will come not only to judge his people (3:1–5; 4:1) but also to bless and restore them (3:6–12; 4:2).

From Biblica.