Malachi

The last prophet of the Old Testament

Malachi, in question-and-answer dialogues, criticizes careless worship, broken marriages and unpaid tithes, and announces the messenger who will prepare the way of the Lord.

Historical context

In Christian Bibles it is the last book of the Old Testament; the promise of Elijah’s return links the end of the OT to the start of the Gospels and John the Baptist. The name means “my messenger”.

Explanation

Best-known passages

“I have loved you, saith the Lord” (ch. 1)
“Bring ye all the tithes” (ch. 3)
The coming of Elijah (ch. 4)