Malachi
The prophet of the last book of the Twelve, who rebuked the priests and people of rebuilt Jerusalem and promised a messenger to prepare the Lord’s way. Nothing is known of him beyond his book.
The book’s heading reads “Yahweh’s word to Israel by Malachi” and gives no father’s name, home or date (Malachi 1:1). Malachi means “my messenger”, and the same Hebrew word opens the promise “Behold, I send my messenger” (Malachi 3:1). The ancient Greek translation took the heading that way, as the word of the Lord “by the hand of his messenger” (Septuagint Malachi 1:1), so it has long been asked whether Malachi is a personal name or a title.
His message belongs to Jerusalem after the temple was rebuilt; see Malachi and the Close of the Prophets. The New Testament quotes his words about the messenger and about Elijah in connection with John the Baptist (Matthew 11:10–14) (Luke 1:17).
In the timeline
- about 435 BC, estimated dateMalachi and the Close of the Prophets
The last book of the Twelve Prophets rebukes the priests and people of rebuilt Jerusalem and promises a messenger who will prepare the Lord’s way, and the return of Elijah. The Gospels apply both to John the Baptist.