Malachi 1:2 nasb — "I have loved you," says the LORD. But you say, "How have You loved us?" "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the L…

NASB

""I have loved you," says the LORD. But you say, "How have You loved us?" "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the LORD. "Yet I have loved Jacob;"

— Malachi 1:2, NASB

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Malachi 1:2 in Other Translations

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Malachi 1 — Context

1

The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi.

2

"I have loved you," says the LORD. But you say, "How have You loved us?" "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the LORD. "Yet I have loved Jacob;

3

but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness."

4

Though Edom says, "We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins"; thus says the LORD of hosts, "They may build, but I will tear down; and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom the LORD is indignant forever."

5

Your eyes will see this and you will say, "The LORD be magnified beyond the border of Israel!"

Malachi 1:2 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Malachi 1:2 say?
Malachi 1:2 in the NASB reads: “"I have loved you," says the LORD. But you say, "How have You loved us?" "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the LORD. "Yet I have loved Jacob;”
Where is Malachi 1:2 in the Bible?
Malachi 1:2 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Malachi, chapter 1, verse 2.
Who wrote Malachi?
Malachi is traditionally attributed to Malachi. It was written c. 430 BC.
What is the book of Malachi about?
Malachi closes the Old Testament with a series of disputations: God says one thing, the people say another, and God answers. He confronts faithless priests, broken marriages, and stingy worship, then promises a coming messenger who will prepare the way of the LORD.
What are the major themes of Malachi?
Malachi explores themes including Covenant Faithfulness, Worship, Tithing, Marriage, Coming Messenger. These themes shape the meaning and context of Malachi 1:2.
What translation should I read Malachi 1:2 in?
Malachi 1:2 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Malachi 1:2?
Malachi 1:2 reads (NASB): “"I have loved you," says the LORD. But you say, "How have You loved us?" "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the LORD. "Yet I have loved Jacob;” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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