Introduction To The
Book Of Malachi
WHO WROTE: Malachi.
WHAT TIME PERIOD IS COVERED: Nearly all scholars are agreed that Malachi prophesied during the Persian period, and after the reconstruction and dedication of the second temple in about B.C. 516 (compare with Mal. 1:10; 3:1 & 10). The prophet speaks of the people’s governor” (Hebrew, “pehÌ£ah,” Mal. 1:8), as do Haggai and Nehemiah (Hag. 1:1; Neh. 5:14; 12:26).
WHEN WRITTEN: About B.C. 516. See “WHAT TIME PERIOD IS COVERED.”
INTRODUCTION: The name Malachi means, “Messenger,” or “Angel.” It is contracted from “Malachijah,” meaning, “messenger of JAH,” see Psalm 68:4, or better, “Messenger of Jehovah.” In Malachi 2:7 the Hebrew word for “messenger” is “malak,” which you can easily see, is a form of Malachi.
Malachi is established as a prophet in the New Testament by quotations from his Book: Matthew 11:10; 17:12; Mark 1:2; 9:11-12; Luke 1:17; Romans 9:13.
In an interesting side note, the “Targum” reads of Malachi 1:1: “by the hand of my angel, whose name is called Ezra the scribe.” Jerome likewise testifies that the Jews of his day ascribed this last Book of prophecy to Ezra (see “V. Praef. in duodecim Prophetas”).
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