The priests and the descendents of Levi in the book of Malachi

The article argues that the phrase “the descendants of Levi” in Mal 3:3 includes both priests and Levites and that the author of the book of Malachi was an inspired temple preacher, or writer, who probably belonged to the ranks of priests or Levites. He was a voice of the late 5th century, who with...

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Main Author: K. W. Weyde
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of the Free State 2015-06-01
Series:Acta Theologica
Online Access:https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/2702
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author K. W. Weyde
author_facet K. W. Weyde
author_sort K. W. Weyde
collection DOAJ
description The article argues that the phrase “the descendants of Levi” in Mal 3:3 includes both priests and Levites and that the author of the book of Malachi was an inspired temple preacher, or writer, who probably belonged to the ranks of priests or Levites. He was a voice of the late 5th century, who with prophetic authority, like his predecessors, the earlier prophets, among others criticised the priests’ misconduct of the sacrificial cult (Mal 1:6–2:9). For this reason, he rejected the offerings. The failure of the priests corrupted the whole sacrificial cult including those responsible for it, the descendants of Levi, who for this reason had to be purified. The message related in Mal 3:1?4 conveys that YHWH’s coming messenger will carry out this purification. Then the descendants of Levi will conduct the sacrificial cult in accordance with the regulations of the law, as in the days of old.
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spelling doaj-art-d740777bab894fcdbbfbf3911c75dfd82025-02-11T09:55:12ZengUniversity of the Free StateActa Theologica1015-87582309-90892015-06-0135110.38140/at.v35i1.2702The priests and the descendents of Levi in the book of MalachiK. W. Weyde0MF Norwegian School of Theology, Norway The article argues that the phrase “the descendants of Levi” in Mal 3:3 includes both priests and Levites and that the author of the book of Malachi was an inspired temple preacher, or writer, who probably belonged to the ranks of priests or Levites. He was a voice of the late 5th century, who with prophetic authority, like his predecessors, the earlier prophets, among others criticised the priests’ misconduct of the sacrificial cult (Mal 1:6–2:9). For this reason, he rejected the offerings. The failure of the priests corrupted the whole sacrificial cult including those responsible for it, the descendants of Levi, who for this reason had to be purified. The message related in Mal 3:1?4 conveys that YHWH’s coming messenger will carry out this purification. Then the descendants of Levi will conduct the sacrificial cult in accordance with the regulations of the law, as in the days of old. https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/2702
spellingShingle K. W. Weyde
The priests and the descendents of Levi in the book of Malachi
Acta Theologica
title The priests and the descendents of Levi in the book of Malachi
title_full The priests and the descendents of Levi in the book of Malachi
title_fullStr The priests and the descendents of Levi in the book of Malachi
title_full_unstemmed The priests and the descendents of Levi in the book of Malachi
title_short The priests and the descendents of Levi in the book of Malachi
title_sort priests and the descendents of levi in the book of malachi
url https://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/at/article/view/2702
work_keys_str_mv AT kwweyde thepriestsandthedescendentsofleviinthebookofmalachi
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