Malachi 3:7
"Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?"

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances,.... Here begins an enumeration of the sins of the Jews, which were the cause of their ruin; and here is first a general charge of apostasy from the statutes and ordinances of the law, which they made void by the traditions of the fathers; and therefore this word is used as referring

to this evil, as well as to express their early, long, and continued departure from the ways of God; which as it was an aggravation of their sin, that they should have so long ago forsook the ordinances of God, and have not kept them, but transgressed them by observing the traditions of men, Mat 15:3 so it is an instance of the patience and forbearance of God, that they were not as yet consumed; and of his grace and goodness, that he should address them as follows: Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts; this message was carried to them by John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, and by Christ himself, who both preached the doctrine of repentance to this people, Mat 3:2 . The Targum is, "return to my worship, and I will look in my word to do well unto you, saith the Lord of hosts;'' and such who returned, and believed in Christ, and submitted to his ordinances, it was well with them. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? what have we to turn from, or repent of? what evils have we done, or can be charged on us? what need have we of repentance or conversion, or of such an exhortation to it? do not we keep the law, and all the rituals of it? this is the true language of the Pharisees in Christ's time, who, touching the righteousness of the law, were blameless in their own esteem, and were the ninety and nine just persons that needed not repentance, Luk 15:7 .

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (16 words)

H3117 יוֹם
Definition:

5day(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיומָא,; Phoenicianים; MI5ימן, suffixימיGenesis 1:6;Genesis 1:9;Genesis 1:33, plural constructימיGenesis 1:8, suffix 3masculine singularימה; SI3ים; ZinjirliיוםDHMSendsch Glo 5day(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיומָא,; Phoenicianים; MI5ימן, suffixימיGenesis 1:6;Genesis 1:9;Genesis 1:33, plural constructימיGenesis 1:8, suffix 3masculine singularימה; SI3ים; ZinjirliיוםDHMSendsch Glo

H0001 אָב
Definition:

1947t.; constructאַבGenesis 17:4,5; (compare inאַבְרָהָםib.& elsewhere in proper names. On Hal's proposedאֲבִרseeאברהם);אֲבִי(compare Ge§§ 90, 3b, 96)Genesis 4:20+; suffixאָבִיGenesis 19:34+ (MIאבי);א 1947t.; constructאַבGenesis 17:4,5; (compare inאַבְרָהָםib.& elsewhere in proper names. On Hal's proposedאֲבִרseeאברהם);אֲבִי(compare Ge§§ 90, 3b, 96)Genesis 4:20+; suffixאָבִיGenesis 19:34+ (MIאבי);א

Possible Meanings:
  • father (semantic_range)
H5493 סוּר
Definition:

12) {soor}; a primitive root; to turn off (literal or figurative) -- be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), X grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluc 12) {soor}; a primitive root; to turn off (literal or figurative) -- be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), X grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluc

Possible Meanings:
  • turn aside (semantic_range)
  • turn aside (semantic_range)
  • be removed (semantic_range)
  • come to an end (semantic_range)
H2706 חֹק
Definition:

11something prescribed, a statute or due; —׳חGenesis 47:2222t.;חָקֿExodus 30:2114t.; suffixחֻקִּיProverbs 30:83t.;חָקְךָLeviticus 10:13,14 etc. + 4 t. suffixes; pluralחֻקִּיםDeuteronomy 4:531t.; const 11something prescribed, a statute or due; —׳חGenesis 47:2222t.;חָקֿExodus 30:2114t.; suffixחֻקִּיProverbs 30:83t.;חָקְךָLeviticus 10:13,14 etc. + 4 t. suffixes; pluralחֻקִּיםDeuteronomy 4:531t.; const

Possible Meanings:
  • prescribed task (semantic_range)
  • prescribed-portion (semantic_range)
H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H8104 שָׁמַר
Definition:

11+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשְׁמֹר1 Samuel 2:9+,יִשְׁמָרֿJeremiah 5:24+, suffix 3 masculine singularיִשְׁמְרֶנּוּExodus 21:29,36; 3feminine singular suffixתִּשְׁמוּרֵ֑םProverbs 14:3(readתִ 11+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשְׁמֹר1 Samuel 2:9+,יִשְׁמָרֿJeremiah 5:24+, suffix 3 masculine singularיִשְׁמְרֶנּוּExodus 21:29,36; 3feminine singular suffixתִּשְׁמוּרֵ֑םProverbs 14:3(readתִ

Possible Meanings:
  • lees (semantic_range)
  • dregs (semantic_range)
H7725 שׁוּב
Definition:

33+, 3 feminine singularשָׁ֫בָהRuth 1:15+,וְשָׁבַתconsecutiveEzekiel 46:17(Ges§ 72o, but Co Toy Kraeוְשֶׁבָה), 2 masculine singularשַׁבְתָּPsalm 85:2, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשׁוּבHosea 11: 33+, 3 feminine singularשָׁ֫בָהRuth 1:15+,וְשָׁבַתconsecutiveEzekiel 46:17(Ges§ 72o, but Co Toy Kraeוְשֶׁבָה), 2 masculine singularשַׁבְתָּPsalm 85:2, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשׁוּבHosea 11:

Possible Meanings:
  • turn back (semantic_range)
  • return (semantic_range)
  • turn back (semantic_range)
  • return (semantic_range)
  • turn back (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H7725 שׁוּב
Definition:

33+, 3 feminine singularשָׁ֫בָהRuth 1:15+,וְשָׁבַתconsecutiveEzekiel 46:17(Ges§ 72o, but Co Toy Kraeוְשֶׁבָה), 2 masculine singularשַׁבְתָּPsalm 85:2, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשׁוּבHosea 11: 33+, 3 feminine singularשָׁ֫בָהRuth 1:15+,וְשָׁבַתconsecutiveEzekiel 46:17(Ges§ 72o, but Co Toy Kraeוְשֶׁבָה), 2 masculine singularשַׁבְתָּPsalm 85:2, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשׁוּבHosea 11:

Possible Meanings:
  • turn back (semantic_range)
  • return (semantic_range)
  • turn back (semantic_range)
  • return (semantic_range)
  • turn back (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H3068 יְהוָֹה
Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:
  • Yahweh (semantic_range)
  • the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
  • life-giver (semantic_range)
H6635 צָבָא
Definition:

485noun masculine2Chronicles 28:9(possiblyfeminineIsaiah 10:2;Isaiah 40:2;Daniel 8:12, but see AlbrZAW xv (1895), 319; BevDn)army, war, warfare; — absolute׳צNumbers 1:3+ (מִצָּבָהZechariah 9:8); const 485noun masculine2Chronicles 28:9(possiblyfeminineIsaiah 10:2;Isaiah 40:2;Daniel 8:12, but see AlbrZAW xv (1895), 319; BevDn)army, war, warfare; — absolute׳צNumbers 1:3+ (מִצָּבָהZechariah 9:8); const

Possible Meanings:
  • be inclined (semantic_range)
  • desire (semantic_range)
  • be pleased (semantic_range)
H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H4100 מָה
Definition:

43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th 43;Joshua 22:16;Judges 8:1),מַהֿ,מַהּ,מֶה,מַּ(Exodus 4:2;Isaiah 3:15;Malachi 1:13;1 Chronicles 15:13; 2Chronicles 30:3),מָ(only inמָהֵםEzekiel 8:6Kt., Qr.מָה הֵם) — on the distinction in the use of th

Possible Meanings:
  • what? (semantic_range)
H7725 שׁוּב
Definition:

33+, 3 feminine singularשָׁ֫בָהRuth 1:15+,וְשָׁבַתconsecutiveEzekiel 46:17(Ges§ 72o, but Co Toy Kraeוְשֶׁבָה), 2 masculine singularשַׁבְתָּPsalm 85:2, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשׁוּבHosea 11: 33+, 3 feminine singularשָׁ֫בָהRuth 1:15+,וְשָׁבַתconsecutiveEzekiel 46:17(Ges§ 72o, but Co Toy Kraeוְשֶׁבָה), 2 masculine singularשַׁבְתָּPsalm 85:2, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיָשׁוּבHosea 11:

Possible Meanings:
  • turn back (semantic_range)
  • return (semantic_range)
  • turn back (semantic_range)
  • return (semantic_range)
  • turn back (semantic_range)

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