Mal 4:2 | NETfull | STEP | But for you who respect my name, the sun of vindication will rise with healing wings, and you will skip about like calves released from the stall.

Malachi 4:2

2 But for you who respect my name, the sun of vindication ^{▼▼ Here the Hebrew word צְדָקָה (ts^edaqah), usually translated “righteousness” (so KJV, NIV, NRSV, NLT; cf. NAB “justice”), has been rendered as “vindication” because it is the vindication of God’s people that is in view in the context. Cf. BDB 842 s.v. צְדָקָה 6; “righteousness as vindicated, justification, salvation, etc.”} ^{▼▼ The expression the sun of vindication will rise is a metaphorical way of describing the day of the Lord as a time of restoration when God vindicates his people (see 2 Sam 23:4; Isa 30:26; 60:1, 3). Their vindication and restoration will be as obvious and undeniable as the bright light of the rising sun.} will rise with healing wings, ^{▼▼ The point of the metaphor of healing wings is unclear. The sun seems to be compared to a bird. Perhaps the sun’s “wings” are its warm rays. “Healing” may refer to a reversal of the injury done by evildoers (see Mal 3:5).} and you will skip about ^{▼▼ Heb “you will go out and skip about.”} like calves released from the stall.