Malachi 2:7

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge of sacred things, and people should seek instruction from him because he is the messenger of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Lev 10:11 : 11 and to teach the Israelites all the statutes that the LORD has spoken to them through Moses.”
  • Jer 18:18 : 18 Jeremiah Petitions the Lord to Punish Those Who Attack Him Then some people said,“Come on! Let us consider how to deal with Jeremiah! There will still be priests to instruct us, wise men to give us advice, and prophets to declare God’s word. Come on! Let’s bring charges against him and get rid of him! Then we will not need to pay attention to anything he says.”
  • Hag 1:13 : 13 Then Haggai, the LORD’s messenger, spoke the LORD’s announcement to the people:“I am with you!” decrees the LORD.
  • John 13:20 : 20 I tell you the solemn truth, whoever accepts the one I send accepts me, and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
  • Deut 17:8-9 : 8 Appeal to a Higher Court If a matter is too difficult for you to judge– bloodshed, legal claim, or assault– matters of controversy in your villages– you must leave there and go up to the place the LORD your God chooses. 9 You will go to the Levitical priests and the judge in office in those days and seek a solution; they will render a verdict. 10 You must then do as they have determined at that place the LORD chooses. Be careful to do just as you are taught. 11 You must do what you are instructed, and the verdict they pronounce to you, without fail. Do not deviate right or left from what they tell you.
  • Deut 21:5 : 5 Then the Levitical priests will approach(for the LORD your God has chosen them to serve him and to pronounce blessings in his name, and to decide every judicial verdict)
  • Deut 24:8 : 8 Respect for Human Dignity Be careful during an outbreak of leprosy to follow precisely all that the Levitical priests instruct you; as I have commanded them, so you should do.
  • 2 Chr 17:8-9 : 8 They were accompanied by the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah, and by the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 9 They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the scroll of the law of the LORD. They traveled to all the cities of Judah and taught the people.
  • 2 Chr 30:22 : 22 Hezekiah expressed his appreciation to all the Levites, who demonstrated great skill in serving the LORD. They feasted for the seven days of the festival, and were making peace offerings and giving thanks to the LORD God of their ancestors.
  • Ezra 7:10 : 10 Now Ezra had dedicated himself to the study of the law of the LORD, to its observance, and to teaching its statutes and judgments in Israel.
  • Neh 8:2-8 : 2 So Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly which included men and women and all those able to understand what they heard.(This happened on the first day of the seventh month.) 3 So he read it before the plaza in front of the Water Gate from dawn till noon before the men and women and those children who could understand. All the people were eager to hear the book of the law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood on a towering wooden platform constructed for this purpose. Standing near him on his right were Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Masseiah. On his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 Ezra opened the book in plain view of all the people, for he was elevated above all the people. When he opened the book, all the people stood up. 6 Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people replied“Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 7 Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah– all of whom were Levites– were teaching the people the law, as the people remained standing. 8 They read from the book of God’s law, explaining it and imparting insight. Thus the people gained understanding from what was read.
  • Isa 42:19 : 19 My servant is truly blind, my messenger is truly deaf. My covenant partner, the servant of the LORD, is truly blind.
  • Isa 44:26 : 26 who fulfills the oracles of his prophetic servants and brings to pass the announcements of his messengers, who says about Jerusalem,‘She will be inhabited,’ and about the towns of Judah,‘They will be rebuilt, her ruins I will raise up,’
  • Jer 15:19 : 19 Because of this, the LORD said,“You must repent of such words and thoughts! If you do, I will restore you to the privilege of serving me. If you say what is worthwhile instead of what is worthless, I will again allow you to be my spokesman. They must become as you have been. You must not become like them.
  • John 20:21 : 21 So Jesus said to them again,“Peace be with you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.”
  • Acts 16:17 : 17 She followed behind Paul and us and kept crying out,“These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.”
  • 2 Cor 5:20 : 20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his plea through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf,“Be reconciled to God!”
  • Gal 4:14 : 14 and though my physical condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as though I were an angel of God, as though I were Christ Jesus himself!
  • 1 Thess 4:8 : 8 Consequently the one who rejects this is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
  • 2 Tim 2:24-25 : 24 And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, 25 correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth
  • Hag 2:11-13 : 11 “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has said,‘Ask the priests about the law. 12 If someone carries holy meat in a fold of his garment and that fold touches bread, a boiled dish, wine, olive oil, or any other food, will that item become holy?’” The priests answered,“It will not.” 13 Then Haggai asked,“If a person who is ritually unclean because of touching a dead body comes in contact with one of these items, will it become unclean?” The priests answered,“It will be unclean.”
  • Mal 3:1 : 1 “I am about to send my messenger, who will clear the way before me. Indeed, the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his temple, and the messenger of the covenant, whom you long for, is certainly coming,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
  • Num 27:21 : 21 And he will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the decision of the Urim. At his command they will go out, and at his command they will come in, he and all the Israelites with him, the whole community.”

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Mal 2:8-9
    2 verses
    81%

    8You, however, have turned from the way. You have caused many to violate the law; you have corrupted the covenant with Levi,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

    9“Therefore, I have caused you to be ignored and belittled before all people to the extent to which you are not following after me and are showing partiality in your instruction.”

  • Mal 2:1-2
    2 verses
    78%

    1The Sacrilege of the Priestly Message“Now, you priests, this commandment is for you.

    2If you do not listen and take seriously the need to honor my name,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies,“I will send judgment on you and turn your blessings into curses– indeed, I have already done so because you are not taking it to heart.

  • Mal 2:6
    78%

    6He taught what was true; sinful words were not found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and integrity, and he turned many people away from sin.

  • Mal 2:4
    75%

    4Then you will know that I sent this commandment to you so that my covenant may continue to be with Levi,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

  • Hag 2:11
    75%

    11“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has said,‘Ask the priests about the law.

  • Jer 2:8
    72%

    8Your priests did not ask,‘Where is the LORD?’ Those responsible for teaching my law did not really know me. Your rulers rebelled against me. Your prophets prophesied in the name of the god Baal. They all worshiped idols that could not help them.

  • Hos 5:1
    72%

    1Announcement of Sin and Judgment Hear this, you priests! Pay attention, you Israelites! Listen closely, O king! For judgment is about to overtake you! For you were like a trap to Mizpah, like a net spread out to catch Tabor.

  • Zech 7:3-4
    2 verses
    71%

    3by asking both the priests of the temple of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies and the prophets,“Should we weep in the fifth month, fasting as we have done over the years?”

    4The message of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies then came to me,

  • Isa 29:13
    71%

    13The Lord says,“These people say they are loyal to me; they say wonderful things about me, but they are not really loyal to me. Their worship consists of nothing but man-made ritual.

  • Mal 1:6-7
    2 verses
    71%

    6The Sacrilege of Priestly Service“A son naturally honors his father and a slave respects his master. If I am your father, where is my honor? If I am your master, where is my respect? The LORD of Heaven’s Armies asks you this, you priests who make light of my name! But you reply,‘How have we made light of your name?’

    7You are offering improper sacrifices on my altar, yet you ask,‘How have we offended you?’ By treating the table of the LORD as if it is of no importance!

  • 2 Chr 23:6
    70%

    6No one must enter the LORD’s temple except the priests and Levites who are on duty. They may enter because they are ceremonially pure. All the others should carry out their assigned service to the LORD.

  • Jer 23:11
    70%

    11Moreover, the LORD says,“Both the prophets and priests are godless. I have even found them doing evil in my temple!

  • 2 Chr 13:9-10
    2 verses
    70%

    9But you banished the LORD’s priests, Aaron’s descendants, and the Levites, and appointed your own priests just as the surrounding nations do! Anyone who comes to consecrate himself with a young bull or seven rams becomes a priest of these fake gods!

    10But as for us, the LORD is our God and we have not rejected him. Aaron’s descendants serve as the LORD’s priests and the Levites assist them with the work.

  • Prov 8:7
    70%

    7For my mouth speaks truth, and my lips hate wickedness.

  • Mal 3:1
    70%

    1“I am about to send my messenger, who will clear the way before me. Indeed, the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his temple, and the messenger of the covenant, whom you long for, is certainly coming,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

  • Hag 1:7
    70%

    7The Instruction of the People“Moreover, this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has said:‘Pay close attention to these things also.

  • Zeph 3:4
    70%

    4Her prophets are proud; they are deceitful men. Her priests have defiled what is holy; they have broken God’s laws.

  • Joel 2:17
    69%

    17Let the priests, those who serve the LORD, weep from the vestibule all the way back to the altar. Let them say,“Have pity, O LORD, on your people; please do not turn over your inheritance to be mocked, to become a proverb among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples,“Where is their God?”

  • Zech 8:18
    69%

    18The message of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies came to me as follows:

  • Isa 5:24
    69%

    24Therefore, as flaming fire devours straw, and dry grass disintegrates in the flames, so their root will rot, and their flower will blow away like dust. For they have rejected the law of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, they have spurned the commands of the Holy One of Israel.

  • Zech 7:12
    69%

    12Indeed, they made their hearts as hard as diamond, so that they could not obey the Torah and the other words the LORD of Heaven’s Armies had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies had poured out great wrath.

  • Ezek 7:26
    69%

    26Disaster after disaster will come, and one rumor after another. They will seek a vision from a prophet; priestly instruction will disappear, along with counsel from the elders.

  • Jer 9:13
    69%

    13The LORD answered,“This has happened because these people have rejected my laws which I gave them. They have not obeyed me or followed those laws.

  • Mal 3:7
    69%

    7From the days of your ancestors you have ignored my commandments and have not kept them! Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.“But you say,‘How should we return?’

  • Jer 29:25
    69%

    25that the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel has a message for him. Tell him,‘On your own initiative you sent a letter to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah and to all the other priests and to all the people in Jerusalem. In your letter you said to Zephaniah,

  • Num 18:7
    69%

    7But you and your sons with you are responsible for your priestly duties, for everything at the altar and within the curtain. And you must serve. I give you the priesthood as a gift for service, but the unauthorized person who approaches must be put to death.”

  • Hos 4:6
    69%

    6You have destroyed my people by failing to acknowledge me! Because you refuse to acknowledge me, I will reject you as my priests. Because you reject the law of your God, I will reject your descendants.

  • Judg 18:4
    69%

    4He told them what Micah had done for him, saying,“He hired me and I became his priest.”

  • 2 Chr 24:20
    69%

    20God’s Spirit energized Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood up before the people and said to them,“This is what God says:‘Why are you violating the commands of the LORD? You will not be prosperous! Because you have rejected the LORD, he has rejected you!’”

  • Ezek 44:23
    69%

    23Moreover, they will teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the ceremonially unclean and the clean.

  • Mal 2:17
    68%

    17Resistance to the Lord through Self-deceit You have wearied the LORD with your words. But you say,“How have we wearied him?” Because you say,“Everyone who does evil is good in the LORD’s opinion, and he delights in them,” or“Where is the God of justice?”

  • Deut 18:7
    68%

    7and serves in the name of the LORD his God like his fellow Levites who stand there before the LORD.

  • Ps 141:3
    68%

    3O LORD, place a guard on my mouth! Protect the opening of my lips!

  • Num 16:10
    68%

    10He has brought you near and all your brothers, the sons of Levi, with you. Do you now seek the priesthood also?

  • Mic 3:11
    68%

    11Her leaders take bribes when they decide legal cases, her priests proclaim rulings for profit, and her prophets read omens for pay. Yet they claim to trust the LORD and say,“The LORD is among us. Disaster will not overtake us!”

  • Prov 5:2
    68%

    2in order to safeguard discretion, and that your lips may guard knowledge.

  • Heb 7:12
    68%

    12For when the priesthood changes, a change in the law must come as well.

  • Hag 1:5
    68%

    5Here then, this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has said:‘Think carefully about what you are doing.

  • 2 Chr 31:4
    68%

    4He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to contribute the portion prescribed for the priests and Levites so they might be obedient to the law of the LORD.

  • Jer 7:28
    68%

    28So tell them:‘This is a nation that has not obeyed the LORD their God and has not accepted correction. Faithfulness is nowhere to be found in it. These people do not even profess it anymore.

  • Lam 2:6
    68%

    6ו(Vav) He destroyed his temple as if it were a vineyard; he destroyed his appointed meeting place. The LORD has made those in Zion forget both the festivals and the Sabbaths. In his fierce anger he has spurned both king and priest.

  • Ezek 22:26
    68%

    26Her priests abuse my law and have desecrated my holy things. They do not distinguish between the holy and the profane, or recognize any distinction between the unclean and the clean. They ignore my Sabbaths and I am profaned in their midst.

  • Hos 4:9
    68%

    9I will deal with the people and priests together: I will punish them both for their ways, and I will repay them for their deeds.

  • Prov 22:12
    68%

    12The eyes of the LORD watched over a cause, and subverted the words of the treacherous person.

  • Lev 7:7
    68%

    7The law is the same for the sin offering and the guilt offering; it belongs to the priest who makes atonement with it.