Mal 3:1 | TNotes | STEP | 3:1 my messenger (Hebrew mal’aki ): This is a wordplay on Malachi’s name. The messenger may be either an angel or a human being functioning as a divine courier. Jesus identified John the Baptist by pointing to this passage (see Matt 11:10 ; Mark 1:2 ; Luke 7:27 ). • Malachi’s audience probably would have understood the messenger of the covenant to be a divine being (cp. Exod 23:20-23 ). The Christian church has understood Jesus Christ to be the messenger of the new covenant.

bMatt 11:10►

cMark 1:2►

dLuke 7:27►

eExod 23:20-23►

‏ Malachi 3:1

3:1 ^a my messenger (Hebrew mal’aki): This is a wordplay on Malachi’s name. The messenger may be either an angel or a human being functioning as a divine courier. Jesus identified John the Baptist by pointing to this passage (see Matt 11:10 ^b; Mark 1:2 ^c; Luke 7:27 ^d).

• Malachi’s audience probably would have understood the messenger of the covenant to be a divine being (cp. Exod 23:20-23 ^e). The Christian church has understood Jesus Christ to be the messenger of the new covenant.