A. Introduction - Jehovah's oracle through Malachi (Mal 1:1)
. . . B. First Disputation – God’s elective love vindicated (Mal 1:2-5)
. . . . . . C. Second Disputation – Israel’s begrudging offerings condemned (Mal 1:6-9)
. . . . . . . . . D. Third Disputation – Marriage to an idolater (Mal 1:10-2:16)
. . . . . . . . . D^ Fourth Disputation – Adultery and other moral offences (Mal 2:17-3:5)
. . . . . . C^ Fifth Disputation – Israel’s begrudging offerings condemned (Mal 3:6-12)
. . . B^ Sixth Disputation – God’s elective love vindicated (Mal 3:13-4:3)
A^ Conclusion - Remember the Law, Elijah to come before great day of judgment (Mal 4:4-6)
Below is how David Dorsey, in his The Literary Structure of the OT, has the book's chiastic structure outlined [slightly amended by Bobcat]:
A. Introduction (Mal 1:1)
. . . B. Yahweh is just, He loves [faithful] Israel, but will destroy wicked Edom (Mal 1:2-5)
. . . . . . C. In the past Levi righteousness, but Levites have turned from Yahweh (Mal 2:1-9)
. . . . . . . . . D. Stop being faithless (Mal 2:10-16)
. . . . . . C^ In the future Yahweh's messenger will come, and Levites will be purified (Mal 2:17-3:6)
. . . B^ Yahweh is just, He will reward the just, but destroy the wicked (Mal 3:13-4:3)
A^ Conclusion (Mal 4:4-6)
Bobcat
Return to Main Index