Reference ID Tags SupportReference Quote Occurrence Note
front:intro axt4 0 # Introduction to Malachi\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\n\n### Outline of Malachi\n\n1. The word of Yahweh comes to Israel (1:1)\n1. Yahweh loves Israel and rejects Esau (Edom) (1:2–5)\n1. A message against the priests (1:6–2:9)\n1. A message against Judah: they have broken faith by divorcing and intermarrying (2:10–16)\n1. A message about the day of refining (2:17–3:6)\n1. A message about tithing (3:7–12)\n1. A message about those who others treated shamefully, but who were faithful to Yahweh (3:13–18)\n1. Yahweh will punish the wicked and send Elijah before the “great and terrible day of Yahweh” (4:5–6)\n\n### What is the Book of Malachi about?\n\nThe Book of Malachi is about the prophecies that Malachi spoke to the Jews who had returned from Babylon to Judah. At that time, the Jews were discouraged even though they had finished building a new temple. The wonderful things that previous prophets had promised for Judah had not yet happened. And the Persian Empire still ruled over them. As a result, they no longer were concerned about the law or worshiping Yahweh. Malachi rebuked them for not trusting in Yahweh. But he also promised them that Yahweh would do everything that he promised to do.\n\n### How should the title of this book be translated?\n\nThis book traditionally has been titled “Malachi” or “The Book of Malachi.” Translators may decide to call it “The Book about Malachi” or “The Sayings of Malachi.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])\n\n### Who wrote the Book of Malachi?\n\nThe prophet Malachi wrote these messages from Yahweh to the Jews. However, since “Malachi” means “my messenger,” it is possible that this was a title for this prophet. If so, we do not know his real name.\n\n## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts\n\n### What was meant by the day of Yahweh?\n\nMalachi spoke about “the day” several times. This is the same as “the day of Yahweh.” In the Book of Malachi, this is the time when Yahweh would judge his people. He would remove those who wickedly sin and bless those who trust in him. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/dayofthelord]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])
1:intro b7vm 0 # Malachi 1 General Notes\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Yahweh of hosts\n\nThis is an important title used in this chapter. It reminds the reader of the great power Yahweh has to punish the nations. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/yahwehofhosts]])\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nThere are many rhetorical questions in this chapter. They all have a rather dramatic effect. They increase the emotional connotations of what is being said. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
1:1 qm8z מַשָּׂ֥א דְבַר־יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל בְּיַ֖ד מַלְאָכִֽי 1 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. “This is the declaration of the word of Yahweh to Israel by the hand of Malachi”
1:1 x4vm יְהוָ֖ה 1 **Yahewh** is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.
1:1 lx85 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom בְּיַ֖ד מַלְאָכִֽי 1 The phrase **by the hand of** is an idiom that means that Yahweh used Malachi to deliver his message. Alternate translation: “through Malachi” or “spoken to them by Malachi”
1:2 vb2m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion בַּמָּ֣ה אֲהַבְתָּ֑נוּ 1 This question indicates that the people doubt the truth of what God says. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “You have not shown that you love us.”
1:2 cy61 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲלוֹא־אָ֨ח עֵשָׂ֤ו לְיַֽעֲקֹב֙ 1 This question, a reply of Yahweh reminding the people of their nation’s history, may also be expressed as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that Esau was Jacob’s brother.”
1:2 ef9g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וָאֹהַ֖ב אֶֽת־יַעֲקֹֽב 1 Here **loved** implies a relationship of loyalty between Yahweh and **Jacob**, in which a covenant existed between them. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “as you know, I obligated myself with a covenant to love Jacob”
1:2 j176 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche יַעֲקֹֽב 1 This name **Jacob** refers here not only to Jacob, but also to all his descendants.
1:3 xf47 עֵשָׂ֖ו שָׂנֵ֑אתִי 1 Here **hated** implies that there was no covenant between Yahweh and Esau. However, it does not imply that Yahweh was emotionally against Esau.
1:3 t9bu אֶת־הָרָיו֙ 1 This refers to the hill country of Edom.
1:3 q6yq וְאֶת־נַחֲלָת֖וֹ לְתַנּ֥וֹת מִדְבָּֽר 1 In the Old Testament, the presence of wild animals such as **jackals** was a frequent description of land deserted by the people who once lived there.
1:3 rff9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor נַחֲלָת֖וֹ 1 Here **inheritance** stands for the region that Esau’s descendants, the nation of Edom, occupied.
1:4 z8qd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כִּֽי־תֹאמַ֨ר אֱד֜וֹם 1 Here **Edom** stands for the people of Edom. Alternate translation: “If the people of Edom say”
1:4 x6kr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וַאֲנִ֣י אֶהֱר֑וֹס 1 Here **tear down** stands for “destroy.” Alternate translation: “but I will destroy”
1:4 zv9v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns גְּב֣וּל רִשְׁעָ֔ה 1 Here **wickedness** stands either for wicked people or for wicked actions. Alternate translation: “country of wicked people”
1:5 bq14 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche וְעֵינֵיכֶ֖ם תִּרְאֶ֑ינָה 1 Here **your own eyes** stands for the people themselves. Alternate translation: “You yourselves will see this”
1:6 zu71 0 # General Information:\n\nYahweh rebukes the priests using an imaginary conversation in which the priests protest that they are doing right and Yahweh tells them what they are doing wrong.
1:6 u3vj rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בּוֹזֵ֣י שְׁמִ֔י 1 Here **my name** stands for Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: “who treat me as though you hate me”
1:6 awt1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion בַּמֶּ֥ה בָזִ֖ינוּ אֶת־שְׁמֶֽךָ 1 Here the priests are asking a question in order to state that they have not really despised Yahweh. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “We have not really despised your name.” or “Tell us how we have despised your name, because we do not think that we have done so.”
1:7 dyc6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֶ֣חֶם מְגֹאָ֔ל 1 Here **polluted** describes anything that is not suitable to sacrifice to God.
1:7 v4at rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion בַּמֶּ֣ה גֵֽאַלְנ֑וּךָ 1 Here the priests are asking a question in order to state that they have not really polluted Yahweh. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “We have not polluted you.” or “Tell us how we have polluted you, because we do not think that we have done so.”
1:7 h6dv rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor גֵֽאַלְנ֑וּךָ 1 This expression refers to insulting God by giving him unsuitable sacrifices.
1:7 xu5y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis בֶּאֱמָרְכֶ֕ם שֻׁלְחַ֥ן יְהוָ֖ה נִבְזֶ֥ה הֽוּא 1 This is the answer that Yahweh gives to the priests, but the full answer is only implied. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “You have polluted me by saying, ‘Yahweh’s table is contemptible.’”
1:8 zw52 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְכִֽי־תַגִּשׁ֨וּן עִוֵּ֤ר לִזְבֹּ֨חַ֙ אֵ֣ין רָ֔ע 1 Here Yahweh uses a question to rebuke the people. Alternate translation: “You know very well that it is evil for you to offer blind animals for sacrifice!”
1:8 i5xb rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְכִ֥י תַגִּ֛ישׁוּ פִּסֵּ֥חַ וְחֹלֶ֖ה אֵ֣ין רָ֑ע 1 Here Yahweh uses a question to rebuke the people. Alternate translation: “And you know very well that it is evil for you to offer lame and sick animals!”
1:8 f8k3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo הַקְרִיבֵ֨הוּ נָ֜א לְפֶחָתֶ֗ךָ הֲיִּרְצְךָ֙ א֚וֹ הֲיִשָּׂ֣א פָנֶ֔יךָ 1 The command in the first sentence functions as a hypothetical condition. Alternate translation: “If you present that to your governor, will he accept you or will he lift up your face?”
1:8 kw16 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲיִּרְצְךָ֙ א֚וֹ הֲיִשָּׂ֣א פָנֶ֔יךָ 1 Here Yahweh asks this question in order to remind the people that their governor would never accept defective animals from them. Alternate translation: “If you do those things, you know that the governor will not accept you. He will not lift up your face.”
1:8 ch8q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom הֲיִשָּׂ֣א פָנֶ֔יךָ 1 Lifting up someone’s **face** refers to accepting him with favor. Alternate translation: “will he accept you with favor” or “will he agree to help you”
1:8 j8zc הַקְרִיבֵ֨הוּ נָ֜א 1 give as a gift to show respect
1:9 d7q3 וְעַתָּ֛ה חַלּוּ־נָ֥א פְנֵי־אֵ֖ל וִֽיחָנֵ֑נוּ 1 Malachi is no longer speaking for God. He is talking directly to the Israelites; he is criticizing them for daring to think that God will have mercy on them.
1:9 kht7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche חַלּוּ־נָ֥א פְנֵי־אֵ֖ל 1 Here “face” stands for God and also for his presence. Alternate translation: “keep asking God in his presence”
1:9 r5f4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom מִיֶּדְכֶם֙ הָ֣יְתָה 1 Here **in your hand** is an idiom that means “with you.” Alternate translation: “when you bring such an offering”
1:9 ylm4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מִיֶּדְכֶם֙ הָ֣יְתָה זֹּ֔את הֲיִשָּׂ֤א מִכֶּם֙ פָּנִ֔ים 1 Here Yahweh is asking a question in order to make a statement of rebuke. Alternate translation: “if you offer unacceptable offerings, he will certainly not lift up your faces.”
1:9 kmg8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מִיֶּדְכֶם֙ 1 Here **hand** stands for the people bringing the offering. Alternate translation: “brought by you”
1:9 m84q rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom הֲיִשָּׂ֤א מִכֶּם֙ פָּנִ֔ים 1 Lifting up someone’s face refers to accepting him with favor. Alternate translation: “would he accept any of you with favor” or “would he agree to help any of you”
1:10 pv8h rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְלֹֽא־תָאִ֥ירוּ מִזְבְּחִ֖י חִנָּ֑ם 1 Here **light fires on my altar** stands for offering sacrifices on Yahweh’s altar. Alternate translation: “so that you might not make fires to burn offerings that I will not accept”
1:10 ju31 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מִיֶּדְכֶֽם 1 Here **your hand** stands for “you.” Alternate translation: “from you”
1:11 v4x9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism מִמִּזְרַח־שֶׁ֜מֶשׁ וְעַד־מְבוֹא֗וֹ 1 This double expression means “everywhere.”
1:11 hl9y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism מִמִּזְרַח־שֶׁ֜מֶשׁ וְעַד־מְבוֹא֗וֹ 1 This expression is parallel to “among the nations” and “in every place” later in this verse.
1:11 ls76 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy גָּד֤וֹל שְׁמִי֙ בַּגּוֹיִ֔ם 1 Here **my name** stands for Yahweh’s reputation and honor. Alternate translation: “I will be honored in other nations”
1:11 rx5c rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וּבְכָל־מָק֗וֹם מֻקְטָ֥ר מֻגָּ֛שׁ לִשְׁמִ֖י וּמִנְחָ֣ה טְהוֹרָ֑ה 1 This may be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “in these nations people will offer incense and pure offerings to me in order to worship me”
1:11 m2j4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לִשְׁמִ֖י 1 Here **name** stands for Yahweh. Alternate translation: “to me”
1:12 n6gq rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְנִיב֖וֹ & אָכְלֽוֹ 1 This could mean: (1) “the meat sacrificed on the altar from animals whose other parts the priests should eat” or (2) “the meat sacrificed on the altar.”
1:13 la3n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְהִפַּחְתֶּ֣ם אוֹת֗וֹ 1 This means to show great disrespect by making noises through the nose.
1:13 kz7p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הַאֶרְצֶ֥ה אוֹתָ֛הּ מִיֶּדְכֶ֖ם 1 Here Yahweh is asking a question in order to make a statement of rebuke. Alternate translation: “I should certainly not accept this from you!”
1:13 nx88 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מִיֶּדְכֶ֖ם 1 Here **your hand** stands for “you.” Alternate translation: “from you”
1:14 v5fd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וּשְׁמִ֖י נוֹרָ֥א בַגּוֹיִֽם 1 This may be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “people in the other nations honor my name”
1:14 z5ra rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּשְׁמִ֖י נוֹרָ֥א בַגּוֹיִֽם 1 Here **my name** stands for Yahweh. Alternate translation: “I will be honored”
2:intro jc2b 0 # Malachi 2 General Notes\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Levites\n\nThe priests are given a strong warning in this chapter. They have not followed the law of Moses and have led the people in the wrong direction. Yahweh has not accepted their sacrifices. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/priest]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])\n\n### Marital unfaithfulness\n\nBecause the Jews lived under a covenantal arrangement with Yahweh, their relationship is described using the imagery of a marriage. Marital unfaithfulness indicates a person’s unfaithfulness to Yahweh. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/covenant]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/faithful]] and [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
2:2 y1il rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom לֹא֩ תָשִׂ֨ימוּ עַל־לֵ֜ב 1 To **lay it on your heart** refers to considering something to be very important. Alternate translation: “consider it to be very important”
2:2 w6cs rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns לָתֵ֧ת כָּב֣וֹד לִשְׁמִ֗י 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **honor**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “honor my name”
2:2 e4vh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לִשְׁמִ֗י 1 Here **my name** refers to God.
2:2 k5md rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְשִׁלַּחְתִּ֤י בָכֶם֙ אֶת־הַמְּאֵרָ֔ה 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **curse**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “I will curse you”
2:2 b7vl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom אֵינְכֶ֖ם שָׂמִ֥ים עַל־לֵֽב 1 This refers to considering God’s **command** to be very important. Alternate translation: “you are not considering my command to be very important”
2:3 vsb2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְזֵרִ֤יתִי פֶ֨רֶשׁ֙ עַל־פְּנֵיכֶ֔ם 1 Here **dung on your faces** stands for disgrace. Alternate translation: “I will most certainly put you in deep disgrace; it will be as bad as if I had spread dung on your faces”
2:3 skc9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy פֶּ֖רֶשׁ חַגֵּיכֶ֑ם 1 Here **festivals** stands for the animals that the priests offered in sacrifice at the Israelite festivals. “The dung” probably refers both to the dung that was produced by the animals just before they were slaughtered for sacrifice, and to the dung that was found inside the animals when their bodies were cut apart before being sacrificed. Temple workers had to transport this dung to a place outside of the temple, and probably outside of Jerusalem.
2:3 m2bs rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְנָשָׂ֥א אֶתְכֶ֖ם אֵלָֽיו 1 This difficult expression can be translated as “God will take you away with it,” that is, with the dung. This expression continues the same metaphor of slaughtering animals for sacrifice, and it can be put in active form. Alternate translation: “they will throw you on the dung pile; God will make sure that they take you away when they remove all the dung”
2:4 cr4j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לֵוִ֔י 1 Here **Levi** represents his descendants, the tribe of Levi. Alternate translation: “so that my covenant may be with you, the descendants of Levi”
2:5 t8fs rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּרִיתִ֣י ׀ הָיְתָ֣ה אִתּ֗וֹ הַֽחַיִּים֙ וְהַ֨שָּׁל֔וֹם 1 Here the intended results of the **covenant** are spoken of as if they were the covenant itself. Alternate translation: “The purpose of my covenant with Levi was for the priests to live in prosperity and peace”
2:5 f2if rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis מוֹרָ֖א וַיִּֽירָאֵ֑נִי 1 This expression continues the same metaphor, but leaves out an idea that is implied in the text. This can begin a new sentence. Alternate translation: “My covenant with him was also fear, and he feared me” or “In my covenant with him, I required him to fear me, and he did fear me”
2:5 td35 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy שְׁמִ֖י 1 Here **my name** stands for God himself.
2:6 e73z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְעַוְלָ֖ה לֹא־נִמְצָ֣א 1 Here finding something stands for that thing existing. Alternate translation: “there was no falsehood”
2:6 pjq6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בִשְׂפָתָ֑יו 1 Here **lips** stands for a person’s ability to speak.
2:6 u9rh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הָלַ֣ךְ אִתִּ֔י 1 Here walking stands for living, conducting one’s life in a certain way.
2:6 ws89 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּשָׁל֤וֹם וּבְמִישׁוֹר֙ 1 Here the idea of location stands for the manner in which Levi lived. Alternate translation: “peacefully and uprightly”
2:6 p1lh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְרַבִּ֖ים הֵשִׁ֥יב מֵעָוֺֽן 1 Here persuading people to stop sinning is spoken of as if it were turning them away from sin. Alternate translation: “he persuaded many people to stop sinning”
2:7 kp5v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor כִּֽי־שִׂפְתֵ֤י כֹהֵן֙ יִשְׁמְרוּ־דַ֔עַת 1 Here knowledge is spoken of as if it were an object that a priest could keep. In this passage, the idea of “keep knowledge” implies communicating true knowledge about God.
2:7 d2la rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְתוֹרָ֖ה יְבַקְשׁ֣וּ 1 Here instruction is spoken of as if it were an object that people could look for. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word ****, you can express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “and people should want to be instructed” or “and people should want a priest to teach them truly”
2:7 sp8u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִפִּ֑יהוּ 1 Here **mouth** stands for what a person says.
2:8 si1s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְאַתֶּם֙ סַרְתֶּ֣ם מִן־הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ 1 The right **way** to behave is spoken of as if it were the right path to follow, and abandoning right conduct is spoken of as if it were turning away from that path.
2:8 um6v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הִכְשַׁלְתֶּ֥ם רַבִּ֖ים 1 Disobeying God is spoken of as if it were stumbling.
2:9 gx4a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְכָל־הָעָ֑ם 1 This spatial idea stands for the people’s awareness of the priests’ evil behavior.
2:9 wq7p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֵֽינְכֶם֙ שֹׁמְרִ֣ים אֶת־דְּרָכַ֔י 1 Here **ways** stands for “desires” and “behavior.” These ways are spoken of as if they were things that could be kept by people. Alternate translation: “you have not followed my desires in how you should live”
2:9 z4gm וְנֹשְׂאִ֥ים פָּנִ֖ים בַּתּוֹרָֽה 1 Alternate translation: “but have set easy standards of behavior for people you like and difficult standards of behavior for people you do not like”
2:9 z9yt rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְנֹשְׂאִ֥ים פָּנִ֖ים 1 Here the habit of favoring some people more than others is spoken of as if it were a thing that could be shown to others. Alternate translation: “but have made people aware that you favor some people more than others”
2:10 e1l1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲל֨וֹא אָ֤ב אֶחָד֙ לְכֻלָּ֔נוּ הֲל֛וֹא אֵ֥ל אֶֽחָ֖ד בְּרָאָ֑נוּ 1 Malachi asks these questions in order to remind his fellow Israelites about what they already know. Alternate translation: “You know that we all have one father, that our God has created a nation out of us.” or “You all know that God is the father of all us Israelites, because he is the one who made our nation.”
2:10 q37t rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲל֛וֹא אֵ֥ל אֶֽחָ֖ד בְּרָאָ֑נוּ 1 This question is meant to express a statement. Alternate translation: “Certainly it is the same God who has created us.”
2:10 rm21 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַדּ֗וּעַ נִבְגַּד֙ אִ֣ישׁ בְּאָחִ֔יו לְחַלֵּ֖ל בְּרִ֥ית אֲבֹתֵֽינוּ 1 Malachi asks this question in order to rebuke his fellow Israelites. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “We should certainly not mistreat our brothers and disrespect God’s covenant by disobeying his commands, as you have been doing.”
2:11 h25u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy בָּגְדָ֣ה יְהוּדָ֔ה 1 Here **Judah** stands for the people in the region of Judah, and the fact that they have been faithless to Yahweh is spoken of as if they were one man named **Judah**. Alternate translation: “The people of Judah have been faithless”
2:11 ef4l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive וְתוֹעֵבָ֛ה נֶעֶשְׂתָ֥ה בְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וּבִירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם 1 This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “People have done disgusting things in Israel and in Jerusalem”
2:11 zbw5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כִּ֣י ׀ חִלֵּ֣ל יְהוּדָ֗ה קֹ֤דֶשׁ יְהוָה֙ 1 Here **Judah** refers again to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “For the people of Judah have profaned the holy place of Yahweh”
2:11 h7i9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּבָעַ֖ל בַּת־אֵ֥ל נֵכָֽר 1 The people of Judah are again referred to as if they were one man named “Judah.” Alternate translation: “have married women from other nations, women who worship idols”
2:12 bxx3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor יַכְרֵ֨ת יְהוָ֜ה לָאִ֨ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֤ר & מֵאָהֳלֵ֖י יַֽעֲקֹ֑ב 1 Destroying something is often spoken of as it were cutting it off from something else. Alternate translation: “May Yahweh destroy anyone in the tents of Jacob who” or “May Yahweh kill anyone in the community of Israel who”
2:12 tkp6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מֵאָהֳלֵ֖י יַֽעֲקֹ֑ב 1 Here **tents of Jacob** stands for the community of Israel.
2:12 f33m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy יַֽעֲקֹ֑ב 1 Here **Jacob** stands for all the Israelites, because Jacob was one of the patriarchs from whom the Israelites were descended.
2:12 vdy5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom עֵ֣ר וְעֹנֶ֔ה 1 This expression seems to mean “absolutely everyone.”
2:13 jvgp rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole כַּסּ֤וֹת דִּמְעָה֙ אֶת־מִזְבַּ֣ח יְהוָ֔ה בְּכִ֖י וַֽאֲנָקָ֑ה מֵאֵ֣ין ע֗וֹד פְּנוֹת֙ אֶל־הַמִּנְחָ֔ה וְלָקַ֥חַת רָצ֖וֹן מִיֶּדְכֶֽם 1 Malachi sarcastically exaggerates the amount of tears the people cry to show that Yahweh knows that the people do not really feel sad.
2:13 rx8e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet בְּכִ֖י וַֽאֲנָקָ֑ה 1 The words **weeping** and **groaning** share similar meanings and intensify the idea of weeping. Alternate translation: “with great weeping”
2:13 gt5u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מֵאֵ֣ין ע֗וֹד פְּנוֹת֙ אֶל־הַמִּנְחָ֔ה 1 Here turning toward a gift stands for receiving it and showing favor to the giver.
2:13 lbk9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit מֵאֵ֣ין ע֗וֹד פְּנוֹת֙ אֶל־הַמִּנְחָ֔ה 1 This implies that those who are weeping at Yahweh’s altar have offered sacrifices to him.
2:13 y3lr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche מִיֶּדְכֶֽם 1 Here **hand** stands for the person giving the offering. Alternate translation: “from you”
2:14 n6ul rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis עַל־מָ֑ה 1 The full thought, as in [Malachi 2:13](../02/13.md), is “Why does he not turn toward the offering or accept it with favor from our hand?” Some translators may decide to provide this entire thought in their versions.
2:14 xn6f rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background יְהוָה֩ הֵעִ֨יד בֵּינְךָ֜ וּבֵ֣ין ׀ אֵ֣שֶׁת נְעוּרֶ֗יךָ 1 This statement assumes that this woman is still living.
2:14 s3k3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הֵעִ֨יד בֵּינְךָ֜ וּבֵ֣ין ׀ אֵ֣שֶׁת נְעוּרֶ֗יךָ 1 Here Yahweh is spoken of as if he was a witness to an agreement between two people, standing between them in order to testify about what they agreed to, in case a dispute arises between them. This sentence also was meant to remind the people that Yahweh would punish any Israelite who broke the covenant of marriage.
2:14 mz1q rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background וְהִ֥יא חֲבֶרְתְּךָ֖ וְאֵ֥שֶׁת בְּרִיתֶֽךָ 1 This statement implies that many of the Israelites had divorced their wives.
2:15 x1gi rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וְלֹא־אֶחָ֣ד עָשָׂ֗ה וּשְׁאָ֥ר ר֨וּחַ֙ ל֔וֹ 1 If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “He certainly made husband and wife one, with a portion of his spirit.”
2:16 hp7z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns שָׂנֵ֣א שַׁלַּ֗ח 1 Here **divorce** stands for the act of divorce, when a man sends away his wife, so as to end his marriage to her. Alternate translation: “I hate it when a man divorces his wife”
2:16 ly2g rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom וְכִסָּ֤ה חָמָס֙ עַל־לְבוּשׁ֔וֹ 1 This phrase probably means any man who is violent toward his wife.
2:17 ug3a rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הוֹגַעְתֶּ֤ם יְהוָה֙ 1 Yahweh is spoken of as if human behavior could make him tired, but God cannot grow weary in a physical or emotional sense. This statement probably means that Yahweh has become offended or exasperated. Alternate translation: “You have offended Yahweh”
2:17 d6k5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion בַּמָּ֣ה הוֹגָ֑עְנוּ 1 This question is meant to deny that the people have done any wrong. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “We have certainly not wearied him.”
2:17 ba81 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit בֶּאֱמָרְכֶ֗ם 1 The complete idea here is, “You have wearied him by saying.” This is the prophet’s answer to the rhetorical question.
2:17 wde5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּעֵינֵ֣י 1 The eyes represent seeing, and seeing represents thoughts or judgment. Alternate translation: “in the opinion” or “in the judgment”
2:17 ze8s rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion אַיֵּ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י הַמִּשְׁפָּֽט 1 The priests ask this question in order to claim either that Yahweh does not care whether people do evil or not, or that he never punishes evildoers. Alternate translation: “God certainly does not punish evil people!”
3:intro wb48 0 # Malachi 3 General Notes\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Messiah\n\nThere are several prophecies in this chapter concerning the Messiah and the one who comes before the Messiah. At times, this chapter switches between prophesying about the first coming of the Messiah and the second coming of the Messiah without formal divisions between them. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/christ]])\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### Rhetorical questions\n\nSeveral rhetorical questions are used in this chapter to convince the reader of the truth of what he is saying and of their sin. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])
3:1 zeq2 0 # General Information:\n\nYahweh begins speaking again to the people of Israel in verse 1, but the prophet Malachi begins speaking in verse 2.
3:1 j5pe rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּפִנָּה־דֶ֖רֶךְ לְפָנָ֑י 1 Here getting people ready to welcome Yahweh is spoken of as if a road were being cleared for Yahweh to travel on.
3:2 f24j rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמִ֤י מְכַלְכֵּל֙ אֶת־י֣וֹם בּוֹא֔וֹ וּמִ֥י הָעֹמֵ֖ד בְּהֵרָֽאוֹת֑וֹ 1 These rhetorical questions imply that no one will be able to resist Yahweh when he comes. They can be combined into one statement. Alternate translation: “However, no one will be able to resist Yahweh when he comes to judge them.”
3:2 z2xe rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הָעֹמֵ֖ד 1 Here standing represents resisting someone’s attack or accusations.
3:2 iqv7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile כִּֽי־הוּא֙ כְּאֵ֣שׁ מְצָרֵ֔ף וּכְבֹרִ֖ית מְכַבְּסִֽים 1 This sentence gives the reason why no one will be able to resist God when he comes. God’s power to judge the people and to stop them from sinning is spoken of as if it were the power of strong soap to clean clothes, or the power of fire to melt an object. These are ways of saying that God’s power to do these things cannot be stopped.
3:3 pfr2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וְיָשַׁ֨ב 1 Here sitting implies the action of a metalworker, who sits down in order to purify small amounts of gold or silver.
3:3 bxz3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְטִהַ֤ר אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־לֵוִי֙ 1 Forgiving **the sons of Levi** and persuading them not to sin any longer is spoken of as if it were purifying metal. Alternate translation: “he will correct the sons of Levi and forgive them for having sinned”
3:3 tcd4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּנֵֽי־לֵוִי֙ 1 Here **sons** refers to descendants. The male descendants of Levi were the priests and workers in the temple.
3:3 q9li rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וְזִקַּ֣ק אֹתָ֔ם כַּזָּהָ֖ב וְכַכָּ֑סֶף 1 Here persuading people not to sin any longer is spoken of as if a metalworker were making **gold and silver** more pure.
3:3 n3xs וְהָיוּ֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה מַגִּישֵׁ֥י מִנְחָ֖ה בִּצְדָקָֽה 1 Here **in righteousness** means “motivated by righteous desires to worship God.” Alternate translation: “they will bring acceptable offerings to Yahweh in order to worship Yahweh”
3:4 ws2l rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy מִנְחַ֥ת יְהוּדָ֖ה וִירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם 1 Here **Judah and Jerusalem** stands for the people in those places. Alternate translation: “the offerings brought by the people of Judah and Jerusalem”
3:4 y8h1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism כִּימֵ֣י עוֹלָ֔ם וּכְשָׁנִ֖ים קַדְמֹנִיּֽוֹת 1 These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that the offering was once pleasing to Yahweh. Alternate translation: “as it was in the distant past”
3:5 te3u rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וְקָרַבְתִּ֣י אֲלֵיכֶם֮ לַמִּשְׁפָּט֒ 1 Here **judgment** refers to the act of judging. Alternate translation: “Then I will approach you in order to judge you”
3:5 dx2i וּבְעֹשְׁקֵ֣י שְׂכַר־שָׂ֠כִיר 1 Alternate translation: “and against those who cause the hired worker to suffer by not paying him for his work”
3:5 k42e rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וּמַטֵּי־גֵר֙ 1 That is, **turn aside** the foreigner from gaining his rights. Depriving people of their rights is spoken of as if it were physically turning them away from oneself. Perhaps the idea is turning away someone who comes for a wrong to be set right. Alternate translation: “against those who deny foreigners living in Israel the rights that they should have”
3:7 ji32 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לְמִימֵ֨י אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֜ם סַרְתֶּ֤ם מֵֽחֻקַּי֙ וְלֹ֣א שְׁמַרְתֶּ֔ם 1 Disobeying God’s **statutes** is spoken of as if it were turning away from them. Alternate translation: “You have disobeyed my statutes ever since the days of your ancestors”
3:7 deh7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor שׁ֤וּבוּ אֵלַי֙ וְאָשׁ֣וּבָה אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם 1 Here loving each other and being faithful to each other is spoken of as if it were returning to each other. Alternate translation: “Love me and honor me, and I will always help you”
3:7 l1ir rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion בַּמֶּ֥ה נָשֽׁוּב 1 The people ask this question in order to claim that they have never stopped obeying God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “We have never gone away from you, so we cannot return to you.” or “We have never gone away from you, so it makes no sense to speak of us as returning to you.”
3:8 dn4i rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion הֲיִקְבַּ֨ע אָדָ֜ם אֱלֹהִ֗ים 1 This question implies that the idea of robbing God is very wicked. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “A man should certainly not rob God.”
3:8 p8nl rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person הֲיִקְבַּ֨ע אָדָ֜ם אֱלֹהִ֗ים 1 God speaks of himself in the third person Alternate translation: “No one should ever rob me.”
3:8 ijc5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion בַּמֶּ֣ה קְבַעֲנ֑וּךָ 1 This question implies that the people do not think they have robbed God. Alternate translation: “We have certainly not robbed you.”
3:8 cy6m rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit הַֽמַּעֲשֵׂ֖ר וְהַתְּרוּמָֽה 1 This reply from Yahweh implies a fuller answer. Alternate translation: “You have robbed me by withholding from me your tithes and offerings”
3:9 grs1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive בַּמְּאֵרָה֙ אַתֶּ֣ם נֵֽאָרִ֔ים 1 If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I have certainly cursed you”
3:9 mr47 וְאֹתִ֖י אַתֶּ֣ם קֹבְעִ֑ים הַגּ֖וֹי כֻּלּֽוֹ 1 Here **nation** stands for the people to whom Yahweh is speaking. Alternate translation: “for all of you in the whole nation are robbing me”
3:10 n4ch אֶת־כָּל־הַֽמַּעֲשֵׂ֜ר 1 Alternate translation: “all the tithes”
3:10 dmr8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בְּבֵיתִ֔י 1 Here **house** stands for the temple. Alternate translation: “in my temple”
3:10 wcp4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּבְחָנ֤וּנִי נָא֙ בָּזֹ֔את & אִם־לֹ֧א אֶפְתַּ֣ח לָכֶ֗ם אֵ֚ת אֲרֻבּ֣וֹת הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם 1 Here the command **test me** stands for something that the people can do and should do: “if you test me.” This can be divided into two sentences also. Alternate translation: “And if you test me … I will open up the windows of heaven” or “And you should test me … If you do, I will open up the windows of heaven”
3:12 mfq1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְאִשְּׁר֥וּ אֶתְכֶ֖ם כָּל־הַגּוֹיִ֑ם 1 Here to be called **blessed** stands for being blessed. Alternate translation: “All the nations will know that you have been blessed”
3:12 bvs1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy כָּל־הַגּוֹיִ֑ם 1 This expression stands for the people in all **the nations**. Alternate translation: “The people in all the nations”
3:12 rm7v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns אֶ֣רֶץ חֵ֔פֶץ 1 Here **delight** stands for the condition in which the inhabitants of a land take delight in their land.
3:13 h229 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns חָזְק֥וּ עָלַ֛י דִּבְרֵיכֶ֖ם 1 Here **strong** stands for “harsh” or “terrible.”
3:13 f9dh rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor חָזְק֥וּ עָלַ֛י דִּבְרֵיכֶ֖ם 1 Here **Your words** stands for “What you have said.” Alternate translation: “What you have said about me is terrible”
3:13 fv74 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion מַה־נִּדְבַּ֖רְנוּ עָלֶֽיךָ 1 The people ask this question in order to claim that they have said nothing against God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “We have not said anything among ourselves against you.”
3:14 hnv8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion וּמַה־בֶּ֗צַע כִּ֤י שָׁמַ֨רְנוּ֙ מִשְׁמַרְתּ֔וֹ וְכִ֤י הָלַ֨כְנוּ֙ קְדֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית מִפְּנֵ֖י יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת 1 The people ask this question among themselves in order to make a statement. Alternate translation: “It is useless that we have kept his requirements and walked mournfully before Yahweh of hosts.”
3:14 j6y1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הָלַ֨כְנוּ֙ קְדֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית מִפְּנֵ֖י יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת 1 Here **walked mournfully** stands for “behaved in a sorrowful manner,” probably in order to indicate sorrow over their sins.
3:14 n7bs rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor מִפְּנֵ֖י יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת 1 Here this expression refers to God being aware of what the people were doing.
3:15 maa8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor אֲנַ֖חְנוּ מְאַשְּׁרִ֣ים זֵדִ֑ים 1 Here to be called **blessed** stands for being blessed. Alternate translation: “we say that the arrogant are blessed”
3:15 a55n rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive נַ֖חְנוּ מְאַשְּׁרִ֣ים זֵדִ֑ים 1 This may be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “we say that the arrogant are well off”
3:15 e45r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit וַיִּמָּלֵֽטוּ 1 That is, “and they escape God’s punishment.”
3:16 le6y וַ֠יִּכָּתֵב סֵ֣פֶר זִכָּר֤וֹן לְפָנָיו֙ לְיִרְאֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה 1 This could mean: (1) the Israelites wrote a book so they would remember what they had promised and listed the names of people who feared Yahweh or (2) Yahweh caused someone in heaven to write a book with the names of people who feared him.
3:16 tdq5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns סֵ֣פֶר זִכָּר֤וֹן 1 This expression refers to any book that helps people remember important things, such as events or people who lived in the past.
3:16 b8vc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וּלְחֹשְׁבֵ֖י שְׁמֽוֹ 1 Here **his name** stands for God himself.
3:17 j5ap rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns סְגֻלָּ֑ה 1 Here **possession** refers to one’s personal property. This idea can be expressed with a verb. Alternate translation: “those who will belong completely to me”
4:intro azp5 0 # Malachi 4 General Notes\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Last days\n\nAlthough the Jews may have hoped these prophecies referenced a time in the near future to them, the prophecies of this chapter exclusively relate to the last days. (See: [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]] and [[rc://*/tw/dict/bible/kt/lastday]])
4:1 y5w1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor הַיּוֹם֙ בָּ֔א בֹּעֵ֖ר כַּתַּנּ֑וּר 1 The disaster occurring at this time is spoken of as if the day itself were **burning**. God’s judgment is often spoken of as if it were a fire.
4:1 i1qy rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְהָי֨וּ כָל־זֵדִ֜ים וְכָל־עֹשֵׂ֤ה רִשְׁעָה֙ קַ֔שׁ 1 These people are spoken of as if they will become dried-up plants fit only for being burned. It is common for the Bible to speak of people as if they were plants or trees. Alternate translation: “all the arrogant and all the evildoers will burn up like dry plants”
4:1 f4xr rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy וְלִהַ֨ט אֹתָ֜ם הַיּ֣וֹם הַבָּ֗א 1 Here **The day** stands for the events that will occur on that day. Alternate translation: “On that day I will burn them up”
4:1 x4ll rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹא־יַעֲזֹ֥ב לָהֶ֖ם שֹׁ֥רֶשׁ וְעָנָֽף 1 This expression continues to speak of people as if they were plants or trees. Alternate translation: “nothing will be left”
4:1 o0u8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor לֹא־יַעֲזֹ֥ב לָהֶ֖ם שֹׁ֥רֶשׁ וְעָנָֽף 1 Being deprived of all roots and branches stands for being completely killed off. Alternate translation: “nothing will be left”
4:2 tqe5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy לָכֶ֜ם יִרְאֵ֤י שְׁמִי֙ 1 Here **my name** stands for Yahweh himself.
4:2 jc14 וְזָרְחָ֨ה & שֶׁ֣מֶשׁ צְדָקָ֔ה וּמַרְפֵּ֖א בִּכְנָפֶ֑יהָ 1 This could mean: (1) Yahweh, who always acts righteously, will come and heal his people on that day or (2) on that day Yahweh will reveal the people’s righteousness and heal them.
4:2 p4nc rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns וּמַרְפֵּ֖א בִּכְנָפֶ֑יהָ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **healing**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “the ability to heal in its wings”
4:2 nogu rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וּמַרְפֵּ֖א בִּכְנָפֶ֑יהָ 1 This could mean: (1) the act of healing someone is spoken of as if it were an object that the sun carried to people by means of its wings or (2) the healing takes place under the wings, that is, in the security God gives his people.
4:2 n991 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בִּכְנָפֶ֑יהָ 1 It was common in the Ancient Near East to speak of the sun as if it had **wings**, with which it moved across the sky. This could mean: (1) the sun’s life-giving rays of light are spoken of as if they were its wings or (2) the wings are said to cover God’s people so as to give them peace and safey.
4:2 is44 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile וִֽיצָאתֶ֥ם וּפִשְׁתֶּ֖ם כְּעֶגְלֵ֥י מַרְבֵּֽק 1 Here the redeemed people of Yahweh are spoken of as if they were young bulls released from their stalls, allowed to go out into their pasture.
4:3 cn2r rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְעַסּוֹתֶ֣ם רְשָׁעִ֔ים כִּֽי־יִהְי֣וּ אֵ֔פֶר תַּ֖חַת כַּפּ֣וֹת רַגְלֵיכֶ֑ם 1 Here the victory of God’s people is spoken of as if they were walking over the burned bodies of their enemies.
4:4 if2v rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns זִכְר֕וּ תּוֹרַ֖ת מֹשֶׁ֣ה עַבְדִּ֑י אֲשֶׁר֩ צִוִּ֨יתִי אוֹת֤וֹ 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **law**, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “taught.” Alternate translation: “Remember what I taught my servant Moses”
4:5 cnc1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor בּ֚וֹא י֣וֹם יְהוָ֔ה הַגָּד֖וֹל וְהַנּוֹרָֽא 1 Here the occurrence of this **day** is spoken of as if it were **coming**. Alternate translation: “before the great and fearful day of Yahweh happens”
4:6 kql7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor וְהֵשִׁ֤יב לֵב־אָבוֹת֙ עַל־בָּנִ֔ים וְלֵ֥ב בָּנִ֖ים עַל־אֲבוֹתָ֑ם 1 Here changing how people think is spoken of as if it were turning their hearts.
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