The priests are accused of despising God's name, but they claim ignorance. God reveals their contempt isn't in outright rebellion, but in their casual dismissal of His "table"—meaning the altar and its offerings—as unimportant. They've grown so accustomed to offering flawed sacrifices that they've lost sight of the profound significance of God's presence and their covenant relationship.
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the LORD’s table may be despised.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Lord is rebuking the priests for their neglect and contempt of His name, drawing a parallel between natural familial and master-servant relationships and His own relationship with His people. He highlights their hypocrisy by pointing out that they claim to honor Him while their actions, particularly the subpar offerings they bring, demonstrate a deep disrespect. The priests, feigning ignorance, ask how they have despised God's name, setting the stage for the specific examples of their sacrilegious practices that follow.
We often think of God's fatherhood in terms of gentle love. But Malachi reveals another side – one that demands deep respect and honor, just like a human father.
God uses the familiar relationship of a son to his father to highlight the priests' profound disrespect. He reminds them that He is their Father not just by creation, but by choosing them as His special people, showering them with blessings.
This fatherhood isn't just about tender affection; it carries the weight of expectation. Just as a son naturally honors his father, God expects honor in return. The priests, however, have failed to give Him the honor due to their Creator and Redeemer.
God calls the priests 'despisers of His name.' How could they, the spiritual leaders, fall so low? And how could they be so unaware of their offense?
The priests are accused of despising God’s name, which means despising God Himself and all that He represents. This wasn’t just a minor oversight; it was a deep-seated disrespect that manifested in their worship.
They offered 'polluted bread' and defective sacrifices – blind, lame, and sick animals. This wasn't just an accident; it was a conscious choice, reflecting a mindset that viewed God’s altar and His commands as unimportant. Their question, 'How have we despised your name?' reveals a shocking lack of spiritual awareness and a hardened heart.
Ask a follow-up
Beyond the father-child dynamic, God also asserts His authority as Master. What does this mean for our service, and why is 'fear' the expected response?
God presents Himself not only as Father but also as Master and Lord. This title emphasizes His supreme authority and sovereignty over all creation, including the nation of Israel. As their Master, He rightfully demands reverence and obedience – a 'fear' that acknowledges His power and His right to rule.
The priests, by offering shoddy sacrifices and showing disrespect, were failing in their role as servants. God uses a practical analogy: even a human governor would reject such subpar offerings. This highlights the profound insult they were offering to the Almighty, who deserves the highest respect and the most sincere service.
Understand the original words
kabod · Hebrew Noun
The state of being held in high regard, respect, or reverence; in a biblical sense, it involves recognizing and acknowledging God’s supreme worth and authority.
mora · Hebrew Noun
A reverential, awe-filled respect for God, rooted in the recognition of His holiness, majesty, and power, which leads to obedience and a turning away from evil.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the one true God, signifying His eternal, self-existent nature as the I AM.
saba · Hebrew Noun
A title emphasizing God's sovereignty over the heavenly armies (angels) and the entire created order, highlighting His ultimate authority and power.
buz · Hebrew Verb
To hold in low esteem, treat with contempt, or regard as unworthy of respect; often used when humans fail to properly value God or His requirements.
mizbeach · Hebrew Noun
A place of sacrifice or worship where humans encounter the presence of God through the offering of gifts or atonement for sin.
Malachi speaks to a community that has returned from exile and rebuilt their temple, yet has grown spiritually complacent. The priests, in particular, are offering flawed sacrifices and neglecting their duties, prompting God to remind them of His fatherly relationship and rightful expectation of honor and fear.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Following the Babylonian exile, many Jewish exiles were permitted to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple and city.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple Dedicated
The Second Temple in Jerusalem was completed and dedicated, marking a significant moment in the post-exilic community's religious life.
c. 458 BC - 430 BC
Ezra and Nehemiah's Reforms
Ezra the scribe and Nehemiah the governor led reforms aimed at strengthening adherence to the Mosaic Law and rebuilding the community's spiritual and social fabric.
c. 430 BC— this verse
Malachi Prophesies
Malachi delivers his prophetic message, likely during a period of spiritual apathy and disillusionment among the returned exiles.
This passage also highlights God's fatherhood, but in the context of His people's unfaithfulness, questioning how they can call Him 'Father' while acting so disobediently, mirroring Malachi's charge.
Hosea 11:1-4Hosea describes God calling Israel 'my son' and loving him when he was young, illustrating the tender father-son relationship God desires, which contrasts sharply with the disrespect shown by the priests in Malachi.
Luke 6:46Jesus asks, 'Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?' This directly echoes Malachi's core message: claiming God as Lord or Father without honoring or fearing Him is hollow and unacceptable.
Matthew 23:23In His condemnation of the Pharisees, Jesus critiques their focus on the trivial aspects of the Law while neglecting its weightier matters like justice, mercy, and faithfulness – a parallel to the priests in Malachi who offered defective sacrifices while claiming to honor God.
1 Samuel 2:12-17This passage describes the wicked sons of Eli the priest, who treated the sacrifices of the Lord with contempt. This serves as a historical example of priestly corruption and dishonor to God, similar to the situation Malachi addresses.
bensonMalachi 1:6: "A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?"
Malachi 1:6. A son honoureth his father, &c. — Since it is evident I am not only your Lord, and have a right to govern and command you by my creation of you, but also may be esteemed your Father, on account of the extraordinary ben…
cambridgeMalachi 1:6: "A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?"
Ch. Malachi 1:6 to Malachi 3:6 . Rebuke and threatened punishment of the Priests and People Ch. Malachi 1:6-14 . Rebuke of the Priests O priests ] On them first the rebuke justly falls, because they were chiefly responsible for the…
The priests are accused of despising God's name, but they claim ignorance. God reveals their contempt isn't in outright rebellion, but in their casual dismissal of His "table"—meaning the altar and its offerings—as unimportant. They've grown so accustomed to offering flawed sacrifices that they've lost sight of the profound significance of God's presence and their covenant relationship.
The Lord is rebuking the priests for their neglect and contempt of His name, drawing a parallel between natural familial and master-servant relationships and His own relationship with His people. He highlights their hypocrisy by pointing out that they claim to honor Him while their actions, particularly the subpar offerings they bring, demonstrate a deep disrespect. The priests, feigning ignorance, ask how they have despised God's name, setting the stage for the specific examples of their sacrilegious practices that follow.
The Lord is rebuking the priests for their neglect and contempt of His name, drawing a parallel between natural familial and master-servant relationships and His own relationship with His people. He highlights their hypocrisy by pointing out that they claim to honor Him while their actions, particularly the subpar offerings they bring, demonstrate a deep disrespect. The priests, feigning ignorance, ask how they have despised God's name, setting the stage for the specific examples of their sacrilegious practices that follow.
"“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your na…" — The priests are accused of despising God's name, but they claim ignorance. God reveals their contempt isn't in outright rebellion, but in their casual dismissal of His "table"—meaning the altar and i…
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Last reviewed October 2026
