The people didn't just bring any subpar animal; the Hebrew word translated "torn" often refers to something stolen or taken by violence. They were essentially trying to appease God with goods they'd acquired unjustly, a stark contrast to the integrity He required in worship. This reveals their utter lack of respect for God's holiness, treating Him as a last resort for ill-gotten gains.
But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The people and priests are complaining that worship and sacrifices are a tiresome burden, so they're presenting the worst of their animals—those taken by violence, those torn by predators, or those already sick and lame. God responds by asking if such shoddy offerings, given with contempt, are acceptable from their hands. This direct challenge comes after God declared His love for Jacob and His hatred for Esau, setting the stage for why He's calling out their corrupt worship.
Do you ever feel like serving God is a chore, something you just have to get through? The people in Malachi felt this way, but God had a different perspective.
The Heart of Worship
The people of Israel in Malachi's day looked at worship and thought, "What a weariness this is!" They saw God's commands and the required sacrifices not as acts of devotion, but as an annoying, burdensome task. They even "snuffed at it," a gesture showing utter contempt and dismissal.
But God's perspective is fundamentally different. For Him, service isn't meant to be a burden, but a joy and a privilege. When we approach God's service with a spirit of weariness, we're essentially saying we'd rather be doing something else. This attitude misses the incredible honor of drawing near to the Creator of the universe.
What would you think if someone gave you a gift that was damaged, stolen, or simply something they couldn't use themselves? God received offerings like this, and He was NOT pleased.
Respect for the Giver
The people weren't just tired of worship; they were offering God the absolute worst of what they had. They brought animals that were "torn" (likely meaning stolen or violently seized), lame, or sick – the very creatures that were unfit for any other purpose.
This wasn't just about the quality of the animal; it was about the heart behind the offering. To bring such blemished sacrifices was to show profound disrespect for the God who deserved the very best. It was a mockery of His holiness and a clear sign that their hearts were far from Him. God wasn't asking for perfection, but He was demanding sincerity and genuine respect, symbolized by offering what was valuable.
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Malachi's prophecy emerges from a context of spiritual apathy after the return from exile. The people, having faced hardship and rebuilt their community, had grown complacent, offering God their worn-out and broken things rather than sincere devotion. This highlights how blessings and a restored heritage can, paradoxically, lead to a dulling of spiritual sensitivity if not carefully guarded.
c. 538 BC
Return from Babylonian Exile
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, Cyrus the Great issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This marked a new era for the post-exilic Jewish community.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
The Second Temple was completed and rededicated in Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest. This was a significant religious and national event, though the Temple was less grand than Solomon's.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Commission to Jerusalem
Ezra, a scribe and priest, was given authority by the Persian king to lead a group of exiles back to Jerusalem. He focused on reforming the religious and social life of the community, emphasizing adherence to the Law.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah's Rebuilding of Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, was appointed governor of Judah and led the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, facing significant opposition. He also worked to address social and economic injustices among the people.
c. 400 BC— this verse
Malachi's Prophetic Ministry
Malachi ministered in Judah during a time of spiritual decline and disillusionment following the rebuilding of the Temple and walls. He confronted the people and priests for their covenant unfaithfulness, corrupt worship, and social injustice.
This passage directly challenges the people, asking 'Wherein have we wearied you?' much like Malachi accuses them of finding God's service a weariness.
Leviticus 22:19-20This Old Testament law explicitly forbids offering animals that are lame, torn, or sick to the Lord, highlighting the specific violations Malachi is condemning.
This wisdom literature directly states that offerings obtained by injustice or from the poor are not accepted by God, echoing Malachi's theme of unacceptable sacrifices.
Jesus condemns the Pharisees for neglecting the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness—while meticulously tithing, showing a similar disconnect between outward observance and inner heart that Malachi addresses.
1 Corinthians 11:27-29Paul warns the Corinthians about partaking of the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner, emphasizing that a proper attitude and discernment are crucial for receiving God's blessings, paralleling the need for a right heart in Malachi's context.
barnesMalachi 1:13: "Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD."
What a weariness! - What an onerous service it is! The service of God is its own reward. If not, it becomes a greater toil, with less reward from this earth, than the things of this earth. Our only choice is between love and weariness. And y…
cambridgeMalachi 1:13: "Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD."
13 . what a weariness is it!] i.e. the service of the Sanctuary. torn ] Rather, taken by violence . R.V. ye brought an offering ] Rather, ye bring the offering , R.V. The reference is perhaps to “the (stated, public) offerings,” which the pr…
The people didn't just bring any subpar animal; the Hebrew word translated "torn" often refers to something stolen or taken by violence. They were essentially trying to appease God with goods they'd acquired unjustly, a stark contrast to the integrity He required in worship. This reveals their utter lack of respect for God's holiness, treating Him as a last resort for ill-gotten gains.
The people and priests are complaining that worship and sacrifices are a tiresome burden, so they're presenting the worst of their animals—those taken by violence, those torn by predators, or those already sick and lame. God responds by asking if such shoddy offerings, given with contempt, are acceptable from their hands. This direct challenge comes after God declared His love for Jacob and His hatred for Esau, setting the stage for why He's calling out their corrupt worship.
The people and priests are complaining that worship and sacrifices are a tiresome burden, so they're presenting the worst of their animals—those taken by violence, those torn by predators, or those already sick and lame. God responds by asking if such shoddy offerings, given with contempt, are acceptable from their hands. This direct challenge comes after God declared His love for Jacob and His hatred for Esau, setting the stage for why He's calling out their corrupt worship.
"But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the LORD." — The people didn't just bring any subpar animal; the Hebrew word translated "torn" often refers to something stolen or taken by violence. They were essentially trying to appease God with goods they'…
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Last reviewed October 2026
