Malachi 1:3 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. And I hated Esau - I have shown him less love; Genesis 29:30, Genesis 29:31. I comparatively hated him by giving him an inferior lot. And now, I have not only laid waste the dwelling-place of the Edomites, by the incursions of their enemies; but (Malachi 1:4) they shall remain the perpetual monuments of my vengeance. On the subject of loving Jacob and hating Esau, see the notes on Genesis 27 (note), and Romans 9:13 (note). Let it be remembered,

1. That there is not a word spoken here concerning the eternal state of either Jacob or Esau.

2. That what is spoken concerns merely their earthly possessions. And,

3. That it does not concern the two brothers at all, but the posterity of each.

Malachi 1:3

3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.