Matthew Poole and continuators on Malachi 2:16

16 For the LORD the God of Israel saith that he hateth putting away : for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts, therefore take heed to your spirit , that ye deal not treacherously .

The Prophet enforceth his former exhortation ver. 15. with the arguments laid here close together from the odiousness of the thing (he exhorts them to forbear) it is odious to the Lord who changeth not, resents this evil practice as much as ever. God, Judge of wrongs, and the wronged, hates such wrong. God of Israel by Covenant, and in peculiar Relation, and so much more engaged to punish it; and he now declares his hatred of these things.

Divorce, such putting away of Wives as these petulant Jews used to make way for some new Wives.

rather, And covering violence, &c. which God hates as much as divorcing or putting away. This super-inducing of violence by a second Wife taken in upon, or with, or over the first Wife, called here a Garment God hateth. In Summe neither your Divorces, nor your Poligamy may with safety be practised, for God hateth both.

And therefore be advised, take heed as you love your Life, your Souls, your Peace, and Welfare.

Neither on dislike, divorce, nor yet, with unbridled Lust, take other Wife in to the former, both are perfidious Treachery against her, thy Covenant, and thy God, and what canst thou expect from such courses that God hateth, but to be cut off?

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 24.1. [illegible: 1 word] 32. [illegible: 1 word] 8.; [illegible: 1 paragraph]; [illegible: 1 paragraph]