Malachi 4:4−6 (Heb 3:22−24) as a point of convergence in the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible: A consideration of the intra and intertextual relationships

Abstract

Malachi 4:4−6 (Heb 3:22−24) occupies a special place in the canon of Scriptures. In Malachi 4:4−6 (Heb 3:22−24) not only the book of Malachi comes to a close but the whole of the Prophets (Nebi’im), and the second part of the Hebrew Bible. In the Christian Bible the book of Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament, which is concluded with this passage, before one turns to the New Testament. In this article it was argued the these three verses serve not only as the conclusion to the book of Malachi but also as a fitting close to the second part of the Hebrew Bible. It also serves as a link to both the Pentateuch as the first part, and the Psalms as the third part, of the Hebrew canon of Scriptures. In this sense Malachi 4:4−6 (Heb 3:22−24) can be viewed as a point of convergence in the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible.

‘Remember the law of Moses’: Malachi 3:22 in prophetic eschatology, with a missional postscript

“…This article concurs with many scholars (Assis 2011:207-209;Chapman 2003:139-145;Snyman 2012;2015:16-17, 182-185) that Malachi 3:22 is best understood as a deliberate editorial addition to the book it is attached to; it is plausibly, together with Malachi 3:23-24, the product of scribal prophecy (Chapman 2000:144-145). 1 There are linguistic and thematic correspondence, but there are also differences with the body of the book (Snyman 2012:3).…”

“…The contention of this article is that, from a rhetorical perspective, the exhortation of Malachi 3:22 is pastorally motivated by the divine speech of Malachi 3:23-24. Hence, it is incorrect to regard this exhortation as abrupt in the flow of Malachi's dialogues; in the eschatological context of the book, it is rather logical (differently seen by Snyman 2012;2015:183). Lastly, two examples are given of an eschatologically informed way of life in compliance with the law of Moses in the context of Malachi's book.…”

“…Thirdly, the apparent delay in the fulfilment of the eschatological promises made by the prophet Haggai (2:6-9, 20-23) in 520 bce (Wielenga 2015;2018) had left them spiritually depressed and led them to question God's justice (Ml 2:17;(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) and to neglect to observe God's covenantal 5.See for the discussion Assis (2011:208-209), andSnyman (2012;2015:182-184).…”