Definition: But cursed [be] the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I [am] a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name [is] dreadful among the heathen.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Malachi 1:14. It's a really important and somewhat dramatic statement about God’s judgment. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is essentially saying that someone who is leading a group of people – likely a religious community – is lying to God and offering something worthless as a sacrifice. It's a powerful warning about deception and the consequences of dishonesty. Let’s unpack it word by word: “But cursed [be] the deceiver…” : This means “God curses the liar.” The word "cursed" is a strong, serious word signifying punishment or destruction. “…which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing:” This is where it gets more detailed: “hath in his flock” : This means “he’s leading a group of people.” “a male” : He's a man – a leader. “and voweth” : He's making a promise, a commitment, or a pledge. “and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing:” This is the key part! He’s offering something bad , unworthy , and dishonest . “Corrupt” means not right or good; it's tainted. He's sacrificing something that isn't truly pleasing to God. Putting it all together – The Meaning: Malachi 1:14 is telling us that someone who’s in charge of a religious group is deliberately deceiving them. They are promising something valuable (a sacrifice) but actually offering something worthless or even harmful. God is furious at this deception and will deliver consequences for it. Why is this significant? It's about Truth: It emphasizes that God values truth and honesty above all else. It’s a Warning: It’s a warning to those in leadership positions – to be honest, trustworthy, and to avoid leading people astray with deception. It’s About Judgment: The word “cursed” implies a serious judgment is coming upon this person and their followers. In short, the verse warns against dishonesty and promises that God will punish those who lead with deceit. --- Do you want me to explain any of these parts in more detail or perhaps provide an example of what this kind of deception might look like? For instance, we could talk about: The context of Malachi – when and where was it written? What kinds of things people might do to deceive others?