God invites us to "prove" Him, meaning to put Him to the test in this specific act of bringing our tithes. He's not asking for blind faith here, but for us to experiment with obedience, and He promises a tangible, overflowing blessing in return that exceeds our capacity to hold it all.
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God's people have been unfaithful, withholding what rightfully belongs to Him, causing a lack of provisions for the priests and disrupting worship. In response, God issues a bold challenge, calling them to bring their full tithes into the storehouse, promising an overwhelming abundance in return if they dare to test Him. This plea for faithfulness and trust comes after a period of perceived hardship, which God implies is a consequence of their own actions.
Why did God even establish the practice of tithing? It wasn't just about collecting money; it was about purpose and provision.
Malachi is calling the people back to faithfulness, specifically regarding their tithes. They had stopped bringing the full tithe, which meant the storehouses were empty.
Provision for God's House
A Test of Trust
What happens when we trust God with our resources? The promise here is not just abundance, but an overwhelming surplus!
Ask a follow-up
The second half of Malachi 3:10 is a breathtaking promise of God's generous response to obedient giving. It's a covenant – if you do this, I will do that.
Unlocking the Heavenly Storehouses
Abundance Beyond Capacity
Understand the original words
otsar · Hebrew Noun
A designated place in the temple complex where tithes and offerings were stored for the maintenance of the Levites and the poor.
bachan · Hebrew Verb
To challenge or examine God's faithfulness, often by obeying His commands to see Him fulfill His promises. It is an invitation to witness God's intervention.
arubbah · Hebrew Noun
A metaphor for God's divine provision and intervention from heaven, where He releases the resources of His kingdom to bless His obedient people.
berakah · Hebrew Noun
A favorable decree or the manifestation of God’s goodness, provision, and presence in the lives of His people.
Malachi's strong words about tithing come after Nehemiah's reforms, suggesting that even after a period of spiritual renewal, the people had once again begun to neglect their sacred duties, leading to God's direct challenge and promise of blessing.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
Following the return from Babylonian exile, the Jewish people rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem. This event marked a significant point for the re-establishment of worship and the system of tithes and offerings associated with it.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah's Reforms
Nehemiah led a significant reform movement in Jerusalem, addressing the neglect of the Temple and the proper collection and distribution of tithes. He confronted corrupt officials and re-established the practice of bringing tithes to the storehouses.
c. 400 BC— this verse
Malachi's Ministry
The prophet Malachi delivers his message, likely during the period after the reforms of Nehemiah, calling the people back to faithfulness. This verse is his direct challenge to the people who have fallen back into neglecting their tithes and offerings, despite Nehemiah's efforts.
This passage describes a similar historical situation where the people began bringing tithes and offerings faithfully, leading to God's blessing of abundance.
Nehemiah 13:10-13This narrative shows the consequences of withholding tithes, where the Levites had to return to their fields, and the subsequent restoration when tithes were brought back into the storehouses.
Deuteronomy 11:13-15This foundational text in the Law promised abundant rain and produce for obedience to God's commands, directly paralleling Malachi's promise of God opening the 'windows of heaven'.
Proverbs 3:9-10This wisdom passage offers a general principle about honoring the Lord with one's wealth, promising material blessing and abundance, which echoes Malachi's specific call to tithe.
Luke 11:9-10Jesus uses a similar promise, 'Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you,' illustrating God's eagerness to respond to those who approach Him in faith and obedience.
bensonMalachi 3:10: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
Malachi 3:10-12 . Bring ye all the tithes — Make a punctual and full payment of all tithes: and in this instance make good your solemn engagement with Nehemiah, mentioned Nehemiah 10:29 . Into the storehouse — This was one…
clarkeMalachi 3:10: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
Bring ye all the tithes - They had so withheld these that the priests had not food enough to support life, and the sacred service was interrupted. See Nehemiah 13:10 . And prove me now herewith - What ye give to God shall…
God invites us to "prove" Him, meaning to put Him to the test in this specific act of bringing our tithes. He's not asking for blind faith here, but for us to experiment with obedience, and He promises a tangible, overflowing blessing in return that exceeds our capacity to hold it all.
God's people have been unfaithful, withholding what rightfully belongs to Him, causing a lack of provisions for the priests and disrupting worship. In response, God issues a bold challenge, calling them to bring their full tithes into the storehouse, promising an overwhelming abundance in return if they dare to test Him. This plea for faithfulness and trust comes after a period of perceived hardship, which God implies is a consequence of their own actions.
God's people have been unfaithful, withholding what rightfully belongs to Him, causing a lack of provisions for the priests and disrupting worship. In response, God issues a bold challenge, calling them to bring their full tithes into the storehouse, promising an overwhelming abundance in return if they dare to test Him. This plea for faithfulness and trust comes after a period of perceived hardship, which God implies is a consequence of their own actions.
"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more…" — God invites us to "prove" Him, meaning to put Him to the test in this specific act of bringing our tithes. He's not asking for blind faith here, but for us to experiment with obedience, and He promis…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
