Malachi 4:5 Meaning Explained

Malachi 4:5

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The verse promises Elijah, a prophet known for his fiery zeal, will be sent before the great and awesome day of the Lord. This isn't just about a general forerunner, but specifically about a figure who will come to prepare hearts right before a momentous, terrifying divine intervention.

What Malachi 4:5 means

Malachi is concluding his prophecy with a stark warning and a promise. After admonishing Israel to remember the Law of Moses and threatening a curse on those who turn away from it, he offers a glimpse of hope. This final verse promises the coming of Elijah, not as a mere historical figure, but as a pivotal messenger preceding a monumental, awe-inspiring day of the LORD.

More Than Just a Messenger

When you hear the name Elijah, what comes to mind? A fiery prophet, perhaps? But Malachi's prophecy points to a deeper, twofold fulfillment.

Malachi 4:5 promises the coming of Elijah before the "great and awesome day of the LORD." While many, including Jesus' disciples and the Jews of that era, expected the literal Elijah to return, the New Testament reveals a more nuanced fulfillment.

The First Coming: Spirit and Power

John the Baptist is identified as the Elijah who came in the "spirit and power" of the original prophet (Luke 1:17). He served as a forerunner, preparing the way for Jesus' first advent, calling people to repentance. His ministry was a powerful echo of Elijah's prophetic voice.

The Second Coming: The Literal Elijah?

However, the prophecy also seems to point to a future, literal return of Elijah. Jesus himself spoke of Elijah coming "to restore all things" (Matthew 17:11), suggesting a role beyond John the Baptist's ministry. This future Elijah is often associated with the events leading up to Christ's second coming, possibly as one of the two witnesses in Revelation.

The 'Great and Awesome Day'

Malachi's prophecy hinges on a pivotal event: the 'great and awesome day of the LORD.' What does this day signify, and why is Elijah sent before it?

The phrase 'the great and awesome day of the LORD' in Malachi 4:5 refers to a time of immense divine intervention and judgment. It's a day that evokes both awe at God's power and dread for those unprepared.

A Day of Judgment and Vindication

This 'day' encompasses significant moments in salvation history. It points not only to the final Day of Judgment but also to earlier historical events that served as foreshadowing, such as the destruction of Jerusalem. In each instance, it marks a time when God decisively acts to vindicate His name and His people, while bringing judgment upon wickedness.

Elijah's Role as Herald

Elijah is sent this day for a critical purpose: preparation and warning. Whether it's John the Baptist calling a nation to repent before the Messiah's first coming or a future Elijah heralding the final judgment, the message is consistent: turn back to God. This herald's appearance is God's final outreach, offering a chance for people to turn from their destructive paths before facing His righteous judgment.

Understand the original words

Original language

prophetנָבִיא

nāḇîʾ · Hebrew Noun

A messenger chosen by God to speak His word, warn of judgment, call to repentance, and point toward the future fulfillment of His promises.

Historical context

Written: Around 400 BC
Author: Malachi
Location: Likely written from Jerusalem
Genre: Prophecy, featuring direct address and a concluding promise.

Historical background

This prophecy points to a dual fulfillment: first through John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus' first coming, and then through a future appearance of Elijah (or a figure in his spirit) before Jesus' second coming and the final judgment. This highlights the ongoing work of God in history and the persistent need for repentance and faithfulness.

c. 430 BC— this verse
Malachi's Ministry and the End of Prophecy
Malachi delivers his prophecy, marking the close of the Old Testament prophetic era. This marks a period of spiritual silence and expectation for the Jewish people.
c. 400 BC - 4 BC
The Silent Centuries
A period of approximately 400 years with no recorded prophetic voices, leading up to the birth of John the Baptist. This era was marked by Jewish expectation for a Messiah and a forerunner.
c. 5 BC
Birth of John the Baptist
John the Baptist is miraculously born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, destined to be a forerunner of the Messiah.
c. AD 27-28
John the Baptist's Ministry Begins
John the Baptist begins his public ministry in the wilderness, preaching repentance and baptizing. He is widely seen as fulfilling the spirit and power of Elijah.

Key themes

01Divine messenger's coming
02Preparation for judgment
03Restoration through prophecy
04Elijah's prophetic role

Cross-references

Matthew 11:14

Jesus explicitly states that John the Baptist 'is the Elijah who is to come,' directly linking John's ministry to the prophecy in Malachi.

Luke 1:17

The angel Gabriel declares John the Baptist will go before the Lord 'in the spirit and power of Elijah,' echoing Malachi's promise of Elijah's coming.

Matthew 17:10-13

Jesus speaks of Elijah coming to restore all things, suggesting a future fulfillment beyond John the Baptist, reinforcing the anticipation of Elijah's return.

Revelation 11:3-6

The description of two prophets who prophesy during a time of great tribulation, and who have power over fire and water, is widely interpreted by scholars as a symbolic reference to Elijah and Moses preparing for the Lord's return.

Scholarly commentary

Malachi 4:5: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:"

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet - This is meant alone of John the Baptist, as we learn from Luke 1:17 (note), in whose spirit and power he came.
clarke

Malachi 4:5: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:"

Behold I will send (I send, as a future, proximate in the prophet's mind) you Elijah the prophet - The Archangel Gabriel interprets this for us, to include the sending of John the Immerser. For he not only says Luke 1:17 . that he shall "go before" the Lord "in the spirit and power of Elias," but describes his mission in the characteristic words of Malachi, "to turn the hearts…
barnes

Frequently asked questions

What does Malachi 4:5 mean?

Explain the meaning of Malachi 4:5

What is the context of Malachi 4:5?

Study this verse in Sola

Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.

Open in Sola app Get the app

Ask a follow-up

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "prophet" mean in the original Hebrew?”
“Why did Malachi write Malachi 4:5?”
“How does divine messenger's coming show up in Malachi 4:5?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Malachi 4:5 is available in the Sola app.

This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.

What Malachi 4:5 means

Historical background

c. 430 BC— this verse

Malachi's Ministry and the End of Prophecy

Malachi delivers his prophecy, marking the close of the Old Testament prophetic era. This marks a period of spiritual silence and expectation for the Jewish people.

c. 400 BC - 4 BC

The Silent Centuries

A period of approximately 400 years with no recorded prophetic voices, leading up to the birth of John the Baptist. This era was marked by Jewish expectation for a Messiah and a forerunner.

c. 5 BC

Birth of John the Baptist

John the Baptist is miraculously born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, destined to be a forerunner of the Messiah.

c. AD 27-28

John the Baptist's Ministry Begins

John the Baptist begins his public ministry in the wilderness, preaching repentance and baptizing. He is widely seen as fulfilling the spirit and power of Elijah.