Malachi

Etymology

From 'malak' (מַלְאָךְ), meaning messenger or angel (the same word serves for both in Hebrew). With the possessive suffix: 'my messenger.' The last voice of the Old Testament — the messenger who announces a greater messenger to come.

Who they were

Malachi is the final book of the Old Testament, and whether 'Malachi' is a personal name or a title ('my messenger') is debated — but either way, this prophet delivered the last prophetic words before four centuries of silence. His message was a courtroom argument between God and Israel: God says 'I have loved you,' and Israel responds, 'How have you loved us?' God says 'You have robbed me,' and Israel asks, 'How have we robbed you?' — in tithes and offerings. God says 'You have spoken arrogantly against me,' and Israel asks, 'What have we said?' The book moves between rebuke and promise. The most famous promise: 'I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple.' The book's final words promise the return of Elijah before 'the great and dreadful day of the Lord.' Then silence — until an angel appeared to a priest named Zechariah in the temple and announced the birth of John the Baptist, the Elijah who was to come. Malachi's name is the bridge: my messenger, pointing to the Messenger who points to the Message himself.

Character qualities

• Final prophetic voice
• Unflinching honesty about Israel's failings
• Promise of coming restoration

Key verse

Malachi 3:1

Where they appear

Themes

Variants & related forms

Malakai · Malachai · Malaki

Related names