He_Hates_or_God_Hates use cropped - Flipbook - Page 23
HE HATES OR GOD HATES - MALACHI 2:16
is important that we are aware of the correct translation of
Malachi and understand the context.
Divorce: Treacherous and Disciplinary
We need to understand the difference between disciplinary
divorce which is allowed, and treacherous divorce which
Malachi and the Lord were not pleased about. Jesus was,
and is, against treacherous divorce. The Bible allows
disciplinary divorce. Christianity (often) does not.Victims
of divorce or marital abuse can suffer greatly, feel great
fear and guilt if they believe that God (and perhaps God’s
people) hates all divorce. Clarity about the meaning of
Malachi is essential for well-being.
The Bible allows disciplinary divorce
There are at least 18 scholars or sources that say ‘he hates
. . . he covers’ is the most faithful way to translate the
Hebrew, with ‘he’ being the divorcing husband in Malachi
2:16.These are some of the translations taken from Barbara
Roberts’ book, Not Under Bondage: Biblical Divorce for Abuse,
Adultery and Desertion:
• 1927 (J.M.P. Smith) ‘For one who hates and divorces,’ says
the LORD God of Israel, ‘covers his clothing with violence,’ says
the Lord of Hosts.
• 1986 (Westbrook) For he has hated, divorced . . . and covered
his garment in injustice . . .
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