Mal 1:4 | NET2full | STEP | Edom says , “ Though we are devastated , we will once again build the ruined places .” So the Lord of Heaven’s Armies responds , “ They indeed may build , but I will overthrow . They will be known as the land of evil , the people with whom the Lord is permanently displeased .

‏ Malachi 1:4

4 Edom ^{▼▼sn Edom, a “brother” nation to Israel, became almost paradigmatic of hostility toward Israel and God (see Num 20:14-21; Deut 2:8; Jer 49:7-22; Ezek 25:12-14; Amos 1:11-12; Obad 10-12).} says, “Though we are devastated, we will once again build the ruined places.” So the Lord of Heaven’s Armies ^{▼▼sn The epithet Lord of Heaven’s Armies occurs frequently as a divine title throughout Malachi (24 times total). This name (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, yehvah tsevaʾot), traditionally translated “Lord of hosts” (so KJV, NAB, NASB; cf. NIV NLT “Lord Almighty”; NCV, CEV “Lord All-Powerful”), emphasizes the majestic sovereignty of the Lord, an especially important concept in the postexilic world of great human empires and rulers. For a thorough study of the divine title, see T. N. D. Mettinger, In Search of God, 123-57.} responds, “They indeed may build, but I will overthrow. They will be known as ^{▼▼tn Heb “and they will call them.” The third person plural subject is indefinite; one could translate, “and people will call them.”} the land of evil, the people with whom the Lord is permanently displeased.