Malachi 3:16

KJV1611 – Modern English

Then those who feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for those who feared the LORD and thought upon his name.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

אָ֧ז נִדְבְּר֛וּ יִרְאֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה אִ֣ישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵ֑הוּ וַיַּקְשֵׁ֤ב יְהוָה֙ וַיִּשְׁמָ֔ע וַ֠יִּכָּתֵב סֵ֣פֶר זִכָּר֤וֹן לְפָנָיו֙ לְיִרְאֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה וּלְחֹשְׁבֵ֖י שְׁמֽוֹ׃

Transliteration

ʾAz nidberu yirʾe YHWH ʾish et-reʿehu wa-yaqshev YHWH wa-yishmaʿ wa-yikkatev sefer zikkaron le-fanaw le-yirʾe YHWH u-le-ḥosheve shemo.

Grammar Details

• *ʾAz*: adverb - then
• *nidberu*: Niphal perfect, 3rd common plural - they spoke
• *yirʾe*: adjective, masculine plural construct - fearers of
• *YHWH*: divine name - Yahweh/LORD
• *ʾish*: noun, masculine singular - each man
• *et*: preposition
• *reʿehu*: noun, masculine singular with 3rd masculine singular suffix - his neighbor/companion
• *wa-yaqshev*: waw consecutive + Hiphil imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he gave attention
• *wa-yishmaʿ*: waw consecutive + Qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he heard
• *wa-yikkatev*: waw consecutive + Niphal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and was written
• *sefer*: noun, masculine singular construct - book of
• *zikkaron*: noun, masculine singular - remembrance
• *le-fanaw*: preposition + noun, plural construct with 3rd masculine singular suffix - before him
• *le-yirʾe*: preposition + adjective, masculine plural construct - for those who fear
• *u-le-ḥosheve*: waw conjunction + preposition + Qal participle, masculine plural construct - and for those who esteem
• *shemo*: noun, masculine singular with 3rd masculine singular suffix - his name

Word Meanings

• *nidberu*: spoke together/talked with one another/conversed
• *yirʾe*: fearers of/those who revere/those who stand in awe of
• *ʾish et-reʿehu*: each to his neighbor/one to another/each with his companion
• *yaqshev*: gave attention/listened attentively/paid heed
• *yishmaʿ*: heard/listened/heeded
• *yikkatev*: was written/was recorded
• *sefer zikkaron*: book of remembrance/memorial book/record book
• *le-fanaw*: before him/in his presence
• *le-yirʾe*: for those who fear/for those who revere
• *ḥosheve shemo*: those who esteem his name/those who think upon his name/those who value his name

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord paid attention and listened. A book of remembrance was written before him for those who fear the Lord and honor his name.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  But they that feare God, saye thus one to another: The LORDE cosidreth and heareth it. Yee it is before him a memoriall boke written for soch as feare the LORDE, and remembre his name.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Then spake they that feared the Lorde, euery one to his neighbour, and the Lorde hearkened & heard it, and a booke of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought vpon his Name.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Then they that feared God, saide euery one to his neighbour: and the Lorde considered and hearde, and there was written a booke of remebraunce before him for them that feared the Lorde, and for them that thinke vpon his name.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Then those who feared Yahweh spoke one with another; and Yahweh listened, and heard, and a book of memory was written before him, for those who feared Yahweh, and who honored his name.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  Then have those fearing Jehovah spoken one to another, And Jehovah doth attend and hear, And written is a book of memorial before Him Of those fearing Jehovah, And of those esteeming His name.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Then those in whom was the fear of the Lord had talk together: and the Lord gave ear, and it was recorded in a book to be kept in mind before him, for those who had the fear of the Lord and gave thought to his name.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Then those who feared Yahweh spoke one with another; and Yahweh listened, and heard, and a book of memory was written before him, for those who feared Yahweh, and who honored his name.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Then those who respected the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD took notice. A scroll was prepared before him in which were recorded the names of those who respected the LORD and honored his name.

Referenced Verses

• Ps 56:8 : 8 You record my wanderings; put my tears into your bottle; are they not in your book?
• Rev 20:12 : 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
• Deut 6:6-8 : 6 And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart: 7 And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
• 1 Sam 23:16-18 : 16 And Jonathan, Saul's son, arose, and went to David in the forest, and strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said to him, Fear not; for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you; and you shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you; and that also Saul my father knows. 18 And they two made a covenant before the LORD; and David abode in the forest, and Jonathan went to his house.
• 2 Sam 7:1 : 1 And it happened, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest around from all his enemies;
• 1 Kgs 18:3 : 3 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:
• 1 Kgs 18:12 : 12 And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from you, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry you where I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find you, he shall slay me: but I your servant have feared the LORD from my youth.
• 2 Chr 6:7 : 7 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
• Esth 2:23 : 23 And when investigation was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
• Esth 4:5-9 : 5 Then Esther called for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend to her, and ordered him to go to Mordecai to learn what this was and why it was. 6 So Hatach went out to Mordecai in the street of the city, in front of the king's gate. 7 And Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and of the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. 8 Also he gave him a copy of the written decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to show it to Esther and explain it to her, and to charge her to go to the king, to plead with him and make a request before him for her people. 9 And Hatach came and reported Mordecai's words to Esther. 10 Again Esther spoke to Hatach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: 11 All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that anyone, whether man or woman, who comes to the king in the inner court without being called, there is but one law to put him to death, unless the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live. But I have not been called to come to the king these thirty days. 12 And they told Mordecai Esther's words. 13 Then Mordecai instructed them to reply to Esther, "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's house more than all the Jews. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish." 17 So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
• Esth 6:1 : 1 That night the king could not sleep, so he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
• Job 19:23-25 : 23 Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed in a book! 24 That they were engraved with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever! 25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He shall stand at last on the earth;
• Job 28:28 : 28 And to man he said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.'
• Ps 10:4 : 4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God; God is not in all his thoughts.
• Ps 16:3 : 3 But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.'
• Ps 20:7 : 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.
• Ps 33:18 : 18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his mercy,
• Ps 34:15 : 15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
• Ps 66:16 : 16 Come and hear, all you that fear God, and I will declare what he has done for my soul.
• Ps 73:15-17 : 15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I would offend against the generation of Your children. 16 When I thought to understand this, it was too painful for me; 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.
• Ps 94:19 : 19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me your comforts delight my soul.
• Ps 104:33 : 33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
• Ps 111:10-112:1 : 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do his commandments; his praise endures forever. 1 Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments.
• Ps 119:63 : 63 I am a companion of all who fear You, and of those who keep Your precepts.
• Ps 139:4 : 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
• Ps 147:11 : 11 The LORD takes pleasure in those that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
• Prov 13:20 : 20 He who walks with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
• Isa 26:3 : 3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
• Isa 26:8 : 8 Yes, in the way of Your judgments, O LORD, we have waited for You; the desire of our soul is for Your name and for the remembrance of You.
• Isa 50:10 : 10 Who among you fears the LORD, who obeys the voice of his servant, who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD, and rely upon his God.
• Isa 65:6 : 6 See, it is written before me: I will not keep silent, but will repay, yes, I will repay into their lap,
• Ezek 9:4 : 4 And the LORD said to him, Go through the middle of the city, through the middle of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry for all the abominations that are done in it.
• Dan 2:17-18 : 17 Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions. 18 That they would seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
• Dan 7:10 : 10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him. Thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set, and the books were opened.
• Mal 3:5 : 5 And I will come near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those who oppress the laborer in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and who turn aside the stranger from his right, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.
• Mal 4:2 : 2 But to you who fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings, and you shall go forth and grow up like stall-fed calves.
• Matt 12:35-37 : 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account for in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.
• Matt 18:19-20 : 19 Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it shall be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.
• Luke 2:38 : 38 And coming in that instant, she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
• Luke 24:14-31 : 14 And they talked together about all these things which had happened. 15 And it happened, as they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know him. 17 And he said to them, What are these things you are discussing with each other as you walk, and are sad? 18 And one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem and have not known the things which have happened there in these days? 19 And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that it was he who was going to redeem Israel: and besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. 22 Yes, and certain women from our company astonished us, who were early at the tomb; 23 And when they did not find his body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. 24 And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said: but him they did not see. 25 Then he said to them, O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew near to the village where they were going, and he acted as though he would go further. 29 But they urged him, saying, Stay with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to stay with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at the table with them, he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished from their sight.
• John 1:40-47 : 40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, We have found the Messiah, (which is translated, the Christ.) 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, he said, You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas, (which is translated, A Stone.) 43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and he found Philip and said to him, Follow me. 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, We have found him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote; Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said to him, Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!
• John 12:20-22 : 20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus. 22 Philip went and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.
• Acts 1:13 : 13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
• Acts 2:1 : 1 When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all together in one place.
• Acts 4:23-33 : 23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said, Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 Who by the mouth of Your servant David has said, Why did the nations rage, and the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ. 27 For truly against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 To do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 By stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy servant Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
• Acts 9:31 : 31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
• Acts 10:2 : 2 A devout man, and one who feared God with all his household, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.
• Eph 5:19 : 19 Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
• 1 Thess 5:11 : 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also do.
• 1 Thess 5:14 : 14 Now we exhort you, brothers, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
• Heb 3:13 : 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
• Heb 4:12-13 : 12 For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight; but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
• Heb 10:24 : 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
• Heb 12:15 : 15 Looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
• Rev 15:4 : 4 Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been revealed.
• Gen 22:12 : 12 And he said, Do not lay your hand upon the boy, nor do anything to him: for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son from me.