Malachi 1:4 “Though Edom may say, “We have been devastated, but we will rebuild the…”

Malachi 1:4

Though Edom may say, “We have been devastated, but we will rebuild the ruins,” this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Land of Wickedness, and a people with whom the LORD is indignant forever.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

World English Bible

Whereas Edom says, “We are beaten down, but we will return and build the waste places,” the LORD of Armies says, “They shall build, but I will throw down; and men will call them ‘The Wicked Land,’ even the people against whom the LORD shows wrath forever.”

American Standard Version

Whereas Edom saith, We are beaten down, but we will return and build the waste places; thus saith Jehovah of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and men shall call them The border of wickedness, and The people against whom Jehovah hath indignation for ever.

Geneva Bible 1599

Though Edom say, wee are impouerished, but we will returne and build the desolate places, yet sayeth the Lord of hostes, they shall builde, but I will destroy it, and they shall call them, The border of wickednes, and the people, with whome the Lord is angrie for euer.

Darby Translation

If Edom say, We are broken down, but we will build again the ruined places, — thus saith Jehovah of hosts: They shall build, but I will throw down; and [men] shall call them the territory of wickedness, and the people against whom Jehovah hath indignation for ever.

Young's Literal Translation

Because Edom saith, 'We have been made poor, And we turn back and we build the wastes,' Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: They do build, and I do destroy, And [men] have called to them, 'O region of wickedness,' 'O people whom Jehovah defied to the age.'

Bible in Basic English

Though Edom says, We are crushed down but we will come back, building up the waste places; this is what the Lord of armies has said: They may put up buildings, but I will have them pulled down; and they will be named The land of evil-doing, and The people against whom the Lord keeps his wrath for ever.

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Cross references

“but”

James 4:13–16 Isaiah 9:9 Isaiah 9:10

James 4:13–16 · BSB

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.”

Isaiah 9:9 · BSB

All the people will know it— Ephraim and the dwellers of Samaria. With pride and arrogance of heart they will say:

Isaiah 9:10 · BSB

“The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with finished stone; the sycamores have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.”

“They shall build”

Psalm 127:1 Lamentations 3:37 Job 9:4 Job 12:14 Job 34:29 Proverbs 21:30

Psalm 127:1 · BSB

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.

Lamentations 3:37 · BSB

Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has ordained it?

Job 9:4 · BSB

God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has resisted Him and prospered?

Job 12:14 · BSB

What He tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man He imprisons cannot be released.

Job 34:29 · BSB

But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation,

Proverbs 21:30 · BSB

There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

“The border”

Jeremiah 31:17 Ezekiel 11:10 Amos 6:2

Jeremiah 31:17 · BSB

So there is hope for your future, declares the LORD, and your children will return to their own land.

Ezekiel 11:10 · BSB

You will fall by the sword, and I will judge you even to the borders of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

Amos 6:2 · BSB

Cross over to Calneh and see; go from there to the great Hamath; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are you better than these kingdoms? Is their territory larger than yours?

“The people”

Ezekiel 25:14 Ezekiel 35:9 Isaiah 11:14 Isaiah 34:5 Isaiah 63:1–6 Malachi 1:3

Ezekiel 25:14 · BSB

I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’

Ezekiel 35:9 · BSB

I will make you a perpetual desolation, and your cities will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

Isaiah 11:14 · BSB

They will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west; together they will plunder the sons of the east. They will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them.

Isaiah 34:5 · BSB

When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction.

Isaiah 63:1–6 · BSB

Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”

Malachi 1:3 · BSB

but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals. ”

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

3but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals. ”

5You will see this with your own eyes, and you yourselves will say, ‘The LORD is great—even beyond the borders of Israel.’”

Read Malachi 1