Malachi

Malachi [Heb. mal'aki "my messenger" or "my angel"]. A personal name.

The last minor prophet and writer of the book that bears his name. Usually considered a contemporary of Nehemiah (5th century BC), Malachi prophesized after the temple was built following the exile (Mal 1:10; 3:1, 10). His message concerns the coming of the Messiah's forerunner (Mal 4:4-6), the advent of the Messiah (Mal 3:1-4), the judgment of the wicked (Mal 4:1, 3), and the healing of the righteous (Mal 4:2). As characteristic of biblical prophecy, the central message consisted of God's rebuke towards Israel for its sin and God's call for His people to repent (Mal 1:6-2:9; 2:17-4:6; 3:7-15).