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◄ Malachi 3:3►

New International Version
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,

New Living Translation
He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the LORD.

English Standard Version
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.

King James Bible
And he shall sitas a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

New King James Version
He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness.

New American Standard Bible
And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.

NASB 1995
“He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.

NASB 1977
“And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.

Legacy Standard Bible
And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to Yahweh offerings in righteousness.

Amplified Bible
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi [the priests], and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD [grain] offerings in righteousness.

Christian Standard Bible
He will be like a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He will be like a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.

American Standard Version
and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer unto Jehovah offerings in righteousness.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD will purify the descendants of Levi, as though they were gold or silver. Then they will bring the proper offerings to the LORD,

English Revised Version
and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver; and they shall offer unto the LORD offerings in righteousness.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He will act like a refiner and a purifier of silver. He will purify Levi's sons and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will bring acceptable offerings to the LORD.

Good News Translation
He will come to judge like one who refines and purifies silver. As a metalworker refines silver and gold, so the LORD's messenger will purify the priests, so that they will bring to the LORD the right kind of offerings.

International Standard Version
he will sit refining and purifying silver, purifying the descendants of Levi, refining them like gold and silver. Then they'll bring a righteous offering to the LORD.

NET Bible
He will act like a refiner and purifier of silver and will cleanse the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will offer the LORD a proper offering.

New Heart English Bible
And he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer to the LORD offerings in righteousness.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.

World English Bible
and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer to Yahweh offerings in righteousness.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And He has sat, a refiner and purifier of silver, "" And He has purified the sons of Levi, "" And has refined them as gold and as silver, "" And they have been bringing a present near to YHWH in righteousness.

Young's Literal Translation
And he hath sat, a refiner and purifier of silver, And he hath purified the sons of Levi, And hath refined them as gold and as silver, And they have been to Jehovah bringing nigh a present in righteousness.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he sat melting and cleansing silver: and he cleansed the sons of Levi, and he purified them as gold and as silver, and they were to Jehovah bringing near the sacrifice in justice.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he shall sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and shall refine them as gold, and as silver, and they shall offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he will sit refining and cleansing the silver, and he will purge the sons of Levi, and he will gather them like gold and like silver, and they will offer sacrifices to the Lord in justice.

New American Bible
He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the Levites, Refining them like gold or silver, that they may bring offerings to the LORD in righteousness.

New Revised Standard Version
he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For he shall return to refine and purify the people like silver; and he shall cleanse the sons of Levi and purge them like gold and silver, that they may offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For he shall return to refine and to purify as silver and he shall purify the sons of Levi and he shall purge them like gold and like silver, and they shall be bringing an offering to LORD JEHOVAH in righteousness

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; And he shall purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver; And there shall be they that shall offer unto the LORD Offerings in righteousness.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He shall sit to melt and purify as it were silver, and as it were gold: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver, and they shall offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Coming Day of Judgment
…2But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap.3And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver;He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver.Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.4Then the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will please the LORD, as in days of old and years gone by.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

1 Peter 1:7
so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 48:10
See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

Zechariah 13:9
This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”

Psalm 66:10
For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver.

Proverbs 17:3
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

Daniel 12:10
Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but the wicked will continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.

Hebrews 12:10-11
Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. / No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.

1 Corinthians 3:13
his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.

Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

Job 23:10
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Matthew 3:11-12
I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. / His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

1 John 3:3
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.

Isaiah 1:25
I will turn My hand against you; I will thoroughly purge your dross; I will remove all your impurities.

Jeremiah 9:7
Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of the daughter of My people?

Ezekiel 22:18-22
“Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me. All of them are copper, tin, iron, and lead inside the furnace; they are but the dross of silver. / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because all of you have become dross, behold, I will gather you into Jerusalem. / Just as one gathers silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin into the furnace to melt with a fiery blast, so I will gather you in My anger and wrath, leave you there, and melt you. ...

Treasury of Scripture

And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness.

sit.

Psalm 66:10
For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

Proverbs 17:3
The fining potis for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

Proverbs 25:4
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

the sons.

Malachi 1:6-10
A son honourethhis father, and a servant his master: if then Ibe a father, whereis mine honour? and if Ibe a master, whereis my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? …

Malachi 2:1-8
And now, O ye priests, this commandmentis for you…

Isaiah 61:6
But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD:men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

an.

Malachi 1:11
For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my nameshall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incenseshall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my nameshall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Psalm 4:5
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

Psalm 50:14,23
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: …

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Burning Cleaning Evil Gold Levi Oblation Offer Offering Offerings Present Purge Purify Refine Refined Refiner Right Righteousness Sat Seat Silver Sit Smelter Testing

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Malachi 3

1.Of the messenger, majesty, and grace of Christ.
7.Of the rebellion,
8.sacrilege,
13.and infidelity of the people.
16.The promise of blessing to those who fear God.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver;
This phrase depicts God as a refiner, a common metaphor in the Bible for purification and judgment. The process of refining silver involves intense heat to remove impurities, symbolizing God's method of purifying His people. The imagery of sitting suggests a deliberate and careful process, indicating God's patience and precision. In ancient times, a refiner would sit to carefully watch the metal, ensuring it was not destroyed but purified. This reflects God's attentive and purposeful work in the lives of believers, aligning with passages likeIsaiah 48:10, where God refines His people through trials.

He will purify the sons of Levi
The sons of Levi refer to the Levitical priesthood, responsible for temple duties and sacrifices. Historically, the Levites were set apart for service to God, but by Malachi's time, they had become corrupt. This purification indicates a restoration of their role and integrity. The Levites' purification is symbolic of the broader purification of God's people, as seen inEzekiel 44:10-16, where the Levites are called to return to faithful service. This also foreshadows the New Testament priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9), purified through Christ.

and refine them like gold and silver.
Gold and silver are precious metals that require refining to achieve purity. This process involves removing dross, symbolizing the removal of sin and impurity from the lives of the Levites and, by extension, all believers. The comparison to gold and silver emphasizes the value and worth of those who are purified. This refining process is echoed inZechariah 13:9, where God refines His people as silver is refined, highlighting the transformative power of divine discipline and sanctification.

Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.
The result of this purification is the ability to offer righteous sacrifices to God. In the Old Testament, offerings were central to worship and required to be without blemish. The purification ensures that the offerings are acceptable, symbolizing a restored relationship with God. This anticipates the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who enables believers to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God (Hebrews 13:15-16). The emphasis on righteousness aligns with passages likeRomans 12:1, where believers are called to present themselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.

Persons / Places / Events

1.The Refiner
Represents God, who purifies and refines His people, particularly the priests, to make them righteous.

2.The Sons of Levi
The Levitical priests, who were responsible for temple duties and offerings. They symbolize those who serve God and need purification.

3.The Process of Refining
A metaphor for God's purification process, likened to refining metals, which involves removing impurities to achieve purity.

4.Offerings to the LORD
The end goal of purification, where the priests can present offerings that are acceptable and righteous before God.

5.Malachi
The prophet who delivers God's message of judgment and purification to Israel, emphasizing the need for spiritual renewal.

Teaching Points

God's Role as Refiner
God actively works to purify His people, removing impurities to make them holy and righteous.

The Importance of Purification
Just as silver and gold are refined to remove impurities, believers must undergo spiritual purification to serve God effectively.

The Call to Righteousness
The ultimate goal of God's refining process is to enable His people to offer righteous service and worship.

Endurance Through Refinement
The refining process can be challenging, but it is necessary for spiritual growth and maturity.

Living as Purified Offerings
Believers are called to live lives that are pleasing to God, presenting themselves as living sacrifices in righteousness.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Malachi 3:3?

2.How does Malachi 3:3 illustrate God's refining process in our spiritual lives?

3.What does "refiner and purifier of silver" reveal about God's character?

4.How can we prepare for God's refining as described in Malachi 3:3?

5.Connect Malachi 3:3 with 1 Peter 1:7 on faith being tested by fire.

6.How can we apply the refining process to our daily walk with Christ?

7.What does Malachi 3:3 mean by "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver"?

8.How does Malachi 3:3 relate to God's judgment and purification process?

9.Why is the imagery of refining silver significant in Malachi 3:3?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Malachi 3?

11.What is the meaning of Refiner's Fire?

12.What does "Holy Spirit fire" symbolize?

13.Does God tempt people? (James 1:13 vs. Genesis 22:1)

14.In Hebrews 12:29, how does describing God as a “consuming fire” fit with modern scientific understanding of fire and energy?

What Does Malachi 3:3 Mean

He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver

“ And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver ” (Malachi 3:3a).

• The imagery is deliberate: a refiner must remain seated, watching the metal until every impurity rises and is removed. The Lord is not hurried or distracted; He personally oversees the process (Zechariah 6:13;Hebrews 1:3).

• His seated posture also signals sovereign authority—He is enthroned even while He refines (Psalm 102:12).

• Because Scripture records His actions literally and faithfully, we can rest in the certainty that our lives are under that same attentive gaze (Psalm 33:13-15).

He will purify the sons of Levi

“ He will purify the sons of Levi ” (Malachi 3:3b).

• The Levites, set apart for temple service (Numbers 3:5-10), had become polluted (Malachi 2:1-9). The Lord promises an actual cleansing, restoring them to their ordained role.

• Purification of leadership precedes purification of the nation (Ezekiel 44:11-14). The principle remains: when those who minister are holy, people are blessed (1 Timothy 4:16).

• Christ fulfills this promise as the greater High Priest who truly cleanses His servants (Hebrews 8:1-6).

and refine them like gold and silver

“ … and refine them like gold and silver ” (Malachi 3:3c).

• Refining involves intense heat that separates dross from metal—an unmistakable picture of trials God uses to remove sin (Proverbs 17:3;Isaiah 48:10).

• The process is purposeful, not punitive. “For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver” (Psalm 66:10).

• New-covenant believers undergo the same loving fire so that “the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold … refined by fire—may result in praise” (1 Peter 1:7).

• The Lord’s refining is thorough; He will not stop until His reflection is seen in His people (Job 23:10;Zechariah 13:9).

Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness

“ Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness ” (Malachi 3:3d).

• Purified priests can finally bring sacrifices God delights in, reversing the defiled offerings ofMalachi 1:7-8.Psalm 51:19 echoes the same sequence: cleansing first, acceptable worship second.

• For the church, the outcome is lives offered “as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1) and “a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15).

• The verse looks ahead to a literal future when Israel’s worship will again be pure (Jeremiah 33:17-18), yet it also calls today’s believers to serve “in righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).

summary

Malachi 3:3 pictures the Lord seated, fully in control, deliberately purifying His people the way a refiner extracts pure metal. He begins with those entrusted with ministry, applying the heat of trials to remove sin and restore holiness. The result is worship that delights Him—offerings presented in genuine righteousness. The verse assures us that God’s refining work is real, personal, and purposeful, leading to lives that honor Him both now and in the literal fulfillment still to come.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3)Sons of Levi.--Meaning especially the priests, the sons of Aaron, son of Amram, son of Kohath, son of Levi (Exodus 6:16-20); for judgment must begin at the house of God. (Comp.Jeremiah 25:29;Ezekiel 9:6;1Peter 4:17.)

In righteousness refers rather to the moral character of the offerer than to the nature of the sacrifices, as being such as were prescribed by the Law. This and the following verse do not, of course, imply that there are to be material sacrifices in Messianic times. The prophet speaks in such language as was suitable to the age in which he lived. (See Note onMalachi 1:11.) . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. -He shall sit. As a judge. The prophet confines himself to the first of the two images presented in the preceding verse.The sons of Levi. Especially the priests, who ought to set an example, and teach holiness and obedience. Thus judgment should begin at the house of God (Ezekiel 9:6;1 Peter 4:17). The purifying consists not only in exterminating the evil, but also in correcting and improving all who are not wholly incorrigible. We may call to mind Christ's purging of the temple, and his denunciations of the teaching body among the Jews, and see herein his way of trying his ministers in all ages, that they may shine like lights in the world, and adorn the doctrine of God in all things.That they may offer (and they shall be offering)unto the Lord an offering (minchah)in righteousness. The pure sacrifice shall then be offered with a pure heart. As firstfruits of this improved condition, we read inActs 6:7, "A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

And He will sit
וְיָשַׁ֨ב(wə·yā·šaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427:To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

as a refiner
מְצָרֵ֤ף(mə·ṣā·rêp̄)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6884:To smelt, refine, test

and purifier
וּמְטַהֵר֙(ū·mə·ṭa·hêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2891:To be clean or pure

of silver;
כֶּ֔סֶף(ke·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701:Silver, money

He will purify
וְטִהַ֤ר(wə·ṭi·har)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2891:To be clean or pure

the sons
בְּנֵֽי־(bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A son

of Levi
לֵוִי֙(lê·wî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3878:Levi -- a son of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him

and refine
וְזִקַּ֣ק(wə·ziq·qaq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2212:To strain, extract, clarify

them like gold
כַּזָּהָ֖ב(kaz·zā·hāḇ)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091:Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

and silver.
וְכַכָּ֑סֶף(wə·ḵak·kā·sep̄)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701:Silver, money

Then they will present
מַגִּישֵׁ֥י(mag·gî·šê)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5066:To draw near, approach

offerings
מִנְחָ֖ה(min·ḥāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4503:A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering

to the LORD
לַֽיהוָ֔ה(Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

in righteousness.
בִּצְדָקָֽה׃(biṣ·ḏā·qāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6666:Rightness, subjectively, objectively

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OT Prophets: Malachi 3:3 And he will sit as a refiner (Malachi Mal Ml)