Malachi 2:16

[tqpix]

Peace, brothers:

I'd like to discuss Malachi 2:16.

For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

This passage concerning the "covering" of one's "garment" didn't make sense to me; so, I looked up the Hebrew word that was translated as "garment" using Strong's Dictionary, and I see this:

H3830

לבשׁ לבוּשׁ

lebûsh lebûsh

leb-oosh', leb-oosh'

From H3847; a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife: - apparel, clothed with, clothing, garment, raiment, vestment, vesture.

If "garment" is a euphemism for "wife", then the passage makes a lot of sense, because in the context, it is talking about one's unfaithfulness with his wife:

14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

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So, an alternate reading of Malachi 2:16 could be like this: ( [Emphasis] mine: )

"For I hate divorce," says the LORD, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his [wife] with wrong," says the LORD of hosts. "So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously." (NASB Update)

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Now, compare that with how that verse is translated in the Amplified Version: ( Emphasis mine: )

For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I hate divorce and marital separation and him who covers his garment [his wife] with violence. Therefore keep a watch upon your spirit [that it may be controlled by My Spirit], that you deal not treacherously and faithlessly [with your marriage mate]. (Amplified Version)

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To me, that verse says that God hates divorce, especially if it came as a result of a husband being violent to his wife.

I'd like to know what your thoughts are on this verse.

Thank you.

 

[stephen]

I accept what you have said regarding Mal. 2:16. From verse 14 through to the end of the chapter the Prophet is dealing with the subject "Treachery to Wives" and giving a godly warning.

The reason given was of men dealing treacherously with the wives of their youth, the companions by covenant v14

God made two persons out of one in the beginning, the man and his wife; and had he wanted more than one wife for man, He would have created more at that time. The passage here is expressing God's hatred of divorce-putting away v 16

The Berkley reads..."Anyone with intelligence does not act that way; for what did that one do, who was seeking offspring from God? So watch out for your feelings lest you be unfaithful to the wife of your youth. For I hate divorce" v 15 - 16