Genre
The book is classified among the prophetic literature and is included among the twelve minor prophets
Author and Date
The Hebrew which is rendered Malachi is simply the words “my messenger.” Rather than a name, it is a generic title of the person’s function: messenger. The book gives us little insight into the person. He was courageous enough to attack priests who did not live up to their call (1:6-2:4), but also reminded the people of their obligation to support the institutional structure (3:6-12). He was concerned about a wife suffering rejection (2:14-16), and how that mirrored the people who wondered if God had rejected them (1:2-5). He was firm in a belief that the wicked would have be judged (3:5).
Most scholars date the book to the era after the return from Exile. There is reference to the regional administrator or governor of the Persians (1:8) and the problems mentioned are similar to Nehemiah. Malachi might reflect the situation before the reforms instituted by Nehemiah and Ezra.
The book
The book is composed of six oracles:
- 1:2-5
- 1:6 – 2:0
- 2:10-16
- 2:17 – 3:5
- 3:6-12
- 3:13-21
The general format of the oracles is as follows:
- Initial provocative statement by Yahweh or the prophet
- Remark attributed to the people
- Rebuttal in which the prophet provides the heart of his message