Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?

MALACHI 2:10KJV
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Malachi 2:10 (KJV)

What does Malachi 2:10 mean?

Malachi 2:10 calls out the people of Israel for betraying one another and breaking faith, even though they all share one God as their creator and one spiritual father. The verse questions why the community is acting unfaithfully toward each other, especially since they are all bound by the same covenant given to their ancestors.

In this verse, the prophet Malachi is speaking to the people of Israel after their return from exile. He reminds them that God (their "one father") created them all, so they should treat each other with loyalty and respect. The verse points out that by acting "treacherously" against each other, they are disrespecting the covenant—the special agreement—God made with their forefathers.

The Hebrew behind Malachi 2:10

  • "one" (אֶחָד, 'echad'): This word stresses unity and shared identity among the people, highlighting that they are all part of the same family under God.
  • "father" (אָב, 'av'): Here, "father" can refer to God as the spiritual father of Israel, underlining the close relationship and shared heritage of the people.
  • "created" (בָּרָא, bara'): This word is often used for God's unique act of creation, reminding the people that their existence as a nation is God's doing, not their own.
  • "treacherously" (בָּגַד, bagad): This word means to act deceitfully or betray trust, emphasizing that the people's actions are not just mistakes but a serious breach of loyalty to each other and to God.
  • "profaning" (חָלַל, chalal): This word means to treat something holy as common or unimportant, showing that their betrayal is not just a social issue but a spiritual offense against the covenant.

Why Malachi 2:10 matters

  • Malachi 2:10 corrects the idea that faithfulness to God can be separated from how people treat each other; it insists that loyalty to God and loyalty to community go hand in hand.
  • The verse highlights that breaking trust within the community is not just a personal failing but a violation of the covenant with God, making it a spiritual issue.
  • By reminding the people of their shared origin and covenant, Malachi 2:10 sets up the following verses, which deal with specific ways the people have been unfaithful, especially in marriage and worship.

Where else these words appear

“treacherously” Hebrew H898 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 21:8 If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.
  • Proverbs 13:2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
  • Jeremiah 5:11 For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the LORD.

“created” Hebrew H1254 · used in 46 verses

  • Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
  • Psalms 89:12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
  • Isaiah 45:8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.

“profaning” Hebrew H2490 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
  • Judges 20:31 And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, and were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, and kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
  • Isaiah 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;