Malachi 3:16

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.

📖 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

Referenced Verses

• Ps 56:8 : 8 You keep track of my misery. Put my tears in your leather container! Are they not recorded in your scroll?
• Rev 20:12 : 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then books were opened, and another book was opened– the book of life. So the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds.
• Deut 6:6-8 : 6 Exhortation to Teach the Covenant Principles These words I am commanding you today must be kept in mind, 7 and you must teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, as you lie down, and as you get up. 8 You should tie them as a reminder on your forearm and fasten them as symbols on your forehead.
• 1 Sam 23:16-18 : 16 Then Jonathan son of Saul left and went to David at Horesh. He encouraged him through God. 17 He said to him,“Don’t be afraid! For the hand of my father Saul cannot find you. You will rule over Israel, and I will be your second in command. Even my father Saul realizes this.” 18 When the two of them had made a covenant before the LORD, David stayed on at Horesh, but Jonathan went to his house.
• 2 Sam 7:1 : 1 The Lord Establishes a Covenant with David The king settled into his palace, for the LORD gave him relief from all his enemies on all sides.
• 1 Kgs 18:3 : 3 So Ahab summoned Obadiah, who supervised the palace.(Now Obadiah was a very loyal follower of the LORD.
• 1 Kgs 18:12 : 12 But when I leave you, the LORD’s Spirit will carry you away so I can’t find you. If I go tell Ahab I’ve seen you, he won’t be able to find you and he will kill me. That would not be fair, because your servant has been a loyal follower of the LORD from my youth.
• 2 Chr 6:7 : 7 Now my father David had a strong desire to build a temple to honor the LORD God of Israel.
• Esth 2:23 : 23 The king then had the matter investigated and, finding it to be so, had the two conspirators hanged on a gallows. It was then recorded in the daily chronicles in the king’s presence.
• Esth 4:5-9 : 5 So Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs who had been placed at her service, and instructed him to find out the cause and reason for Mordecai’s behavior. 6 So Hathach went to Mordecai at the plaza of the city in front of the king’s gate. 7 Then Mordecai related to him everything that had happened to him, even the specific amount of money that Haman had offered to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews to be destroyed. 8 He also gave him a written copy of the law that had been disseminated in Susa for their destruction so that he could show it to Esther and talk to her about it. He also gave instructions that she should go to the king to implore him and petition him on behalf of her people. 9 So Hathach returned and related Mordecai’s instructions to Esther. 10 Then Esther replied to Hathach with instructions for Mordecai: 11 “All the servants of the king and the people of the king’s provinces know that there is only one law applicable to any man or woman who comes uninvited to the king in the inner court– that person will be put to death, unless the king extends to him the gold scepter, permitting him to be spared. Now I have not been invited to come to the king for some thirty days!” 12 When Esther’s reply was conveyed to Mordecai, 13 he said to take back this answer to Esther:“Don’t imagine that because you are part of the king’s household you will be the one Jew who will escape. 14 If you keep quiet at this time, liberation and protection for the Jews will appear from another source, while you and your father’s household perish. It may very well be that you have achieved royal status for such a time as this!” 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa and fast in my behalf. Don’t eat and don’t drink for three days, night or day. My female attendants and I will also fast in the same way. Afterward I will go to the king, even though it violates the law. If I perish, I perish!” 17 So Mordecai set out to do everything that Esther had instructed him.
• Esth 6:1 : 1 The Turning Point: The King Honors Mordecai Throughout that night the king was unable to sleep, so he asked for the book containing the historical records to be brought. As the records were being read in the king’s presence,
• Job 19:23-25 : 23 Job’s Assurance of Vindication“O that my words were written down, O that they were written on a scroll, 24 that with an iron chisel and with lead they were engraved in a rock forever! 25 As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that as the last he will stand upon the earth.
• Job 28:28 : 28 And he said to mankind,‘The fear of the LORD– that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
• Ps 10:4 : 4 The wicked man is so arrogant he always thinks,“God won’t hold me accountable; he doesn’t care.”
• Ps 16:3 : 3 As for God’s chosen people who are in the land, and the leading officials I admired so much–
• Ps 20:7 : 7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we depend on the LORD our God.
• Ps 33:18 : 18 Look, the LORD takes notice of his loyal followers, those who wait for him to demonstrate his faithfulness
• Ps 34:15 : 15 The LORD pays attention to the godly and hears their cry for help.
• Ps 66:16 : 16 Come! Listen, all you who are loyal to God! I will declare what he has done for me.
• Ps 73:15-17 : 15 If I had publicized these thoughts, I would have betrayed your people. 16 When I tried to make sense of this, it was troubling to me. 17 Then I entered the precincts of God’s temple, and understood the destiny of the wicked.
• Ps 94:19 : 19 When worries threaten to overwhelm me, your soothing touch makes me happy.
• Ps 104:33 : 33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God as long as I exist!
• Ps 111:10-112:1 : 10 To obey the LORD is the fundamental principle for wise living; all who carry out his precepts acquire good moral insight. He will receive praise forever. 1 Praise the LORD! How blessed is the one who obeys the LORD, who takes great delight in keeping his commands.
• Ps 119:63 : 63 I am a friend to all your loyal followers, and to those who keep your precepts.
• Ps 139:4 : 4 Certainly my tongue does not frame a word without you, O LORD, being thoroughly aware of it.
• Ps 147:11 : 11 The LORD takes delight in his faithful followers, and in those who wait for his loyal love.
• Prov 13:20 : 20 The one who associates with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
• Isa 26:3 : 3 You keep completely safe the people who maintain their faith, for they trust in you.
• Isa 26:8 : 8 Yes, as your judgments unfold, O LORD, we wait for you. We desire your fame and reputation to grow.
• Isa 50:10 : 10 Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys his servant? Whoever walks in deep darkness, without light, should trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.
• Isa 65:6 : 6 Look, I have decreed: I will not keep silent, but will pay them back; I will pay them back exactly what they deserve,
• Ezek 9:4 : 4 The LORD said to him,“Go through the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of the people who moan and groan over all the abominations practiced in it.”
• Dan 2:17-18 : 17 Then Daniel went to his home and informed his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the matter. 18 He asked them to pray for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he and his friends would not be destroyed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
• Dan 7:10 : 10 A river of fire was streaming forth and proceeding from his presence. Many thousands were ministering to him; many tens of thousands stood ready to serve him. The court convened and the books were opened.
• Mal 3:5 : 5 “I will come to you in judgment. I will be quick to testify against those who practice divination, those who commit adultery, those who break promises, and those who exploit workers, widows, and orphans, who refuse to help the resident foreigner and in this way show they do not fear me,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
• Mal 4:2 : 2 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.
• Matt 12:35-37 : 35 The good person brings good things out of his good treasury, and the evil person brings evil things out of his evil treasury. 36 I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
• Matt 18:19-20 : 19 Again, I tell you the truth, if two of you on earth agree about whatever you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three are assembled in my name, I am there among them.”
• Luke 2:38 : 38 At that moment, she came up to them and began to give thanks to God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
• Luke 24:14-31 : 14 They were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and debating these things, Jesus himself approached and began to accompany them 16 (but their eyes were kept from recognizing him). 17 Then he said to them,“What are these matters you are discussing so intently as you walk along?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him,“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 He said to them,“What things?”“The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied,“a man who, with his powerful deeds and words, proved to be a prophet before God and all the people; 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. Not only this, but it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Furthermore, some women of our group amazed us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back and said they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.” 25 So he said to them,“You foolish people– how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things written about himself in all the scriptures. 28 So they approached the village where they were going. He acted as though he wanted to go farther, 29 but they urged him,“Stay with us, because it is getting toward evening and the day is almost done.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he had taken his place at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 At this point their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Then he vanished out of their sight.
• John 1:40-47 : 40 Andrew’s Declaration Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two disciples who heard what John said and followed Jesus. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him,“We have found the Messiah!”(which is translated Christ). 42 Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said,“You are Simon, the son of John. You will be called Cephas”(which is translated Peter). 43 The Calling of More Disciples On the next day Jesus wanted to set out for Galilee. He found Philip and said to him,“Follow me.” 44 (Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter.) 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him,“We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law, and the prophets also wrote about– Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael replied,“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip replied,“Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and exclaimed,“Look, a true Israelite in whom there is no deceit!”
• John 12:20-22 : 20 Seekers Now some Greeks were among those who had gone up to worship at the feast. 21 So these approached Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested,“Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew, and they both went and told Jesus.
• Acts 1:13 : 13 When they had entered Jerusalem, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James were there.
• Acts 2:1 : 1 The Holy Spirit and the Day of Pentecost Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
• Acts 4:23-33 : 23 The Followers of Jesus Pray for Boldness When they were released, Peter and John went to their fellow believers and reported everything the high priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices to God with one mind and said,“Master of all, you who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them, 25 who said by the Holy Spirit through your servant David our forefather,‘Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot foolish things? 26 The kings of the earth stood together, and the rulers assembled together, against the Lord and against his Christ.’ 27 “For indeed both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, assembled together in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28 to do as much as your power and your plan had decided beforehand would happen. 29 And now, Lord, pay attention to their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your message with great courage, 30 while you extend your hand to heal, and to bring about miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God courageously. 32 Conditions Among the Early Believers The group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but everything was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all.
• Acts 9:31 : 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced peace and thus was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, the church increased in numbers.
• Acts 10:2 : 2 He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was all his household; he did many acts of charity for the people and prayed to God regularly.
• Eph 5:19 : 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord,
• 1 Thess 5:11 : 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.
• 1 Thess 5:14 : 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.
• Heb 3:13 : 13 But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called“Today,” that none of you may become hardened by sin’s deception.
• Heb 4:12-13 : 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
• Heb 10:24 : 24 And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works,
• Heb 12:15 : 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through it many become defiled.
• Rev 15:4 : 4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and glorify your name, because you alone are holy? All nations will come and worship before you for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
• Gen 22:12 : 12 “Do not harm the boy!” the angel said.“Do not do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God because you did not withhold your son, your only son, from me.”