Malachi

Malachi addresses Israel in the restored but spiritually weary community of Persian-period Judah, probably in the fifth century BC, after the temple was rebuilt. The opening word may name a prophet, Malachi, or use the title "my messenger"; the text gives no date, leaving both identity and chronology uncertain. Through a series of disputes, the book confronts priests and people over defective offerings, failed instruction, marital unfaithfulness, injustice, withheld tithes, and cynicism about serving God. It calls the community back to covenant faithfulness and promises purifying judgment, a coming messenger, and Elijah before the day of the LORD. Its concerns closely resemble Ezra–Nehemiah and, in Christian ordering, lead into the Gospels.