Some translators have said that Malachi 2:15 is one of the most difficult verses in the Old Testament to translate, as is evident from the numerous translations in the English versions. Here we will present three possible translations.
Literally, the text reads,
and having a remnant of the spirit.
If this is the correct translation, then the meaning is that when creating Eve as a wife for Adam, God had not exhausted his life-giving Spirit. He could have made two wives, or more for that matter, if he had desired. But God made just one wife for Adam, and these two he joined together as one in marriage.A slight change to the vowels of the word for
remnant
produces the wordflesh,
which leads to the translation,You belong to him [that is, God] in body and spirit.
(Note: the vowels in the Masoretic text are not original to the Hebrew but were added later). If this is the correct translation, then the meaning is that husband and wife belong completely to God, and so are not free to do whatever they please (which is to divorce, in order to allow for another marriage). Rather, they must do what pleases the one to whom they belong (which is to be faithful to the covenant of marriage).A third possible translation is,
But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit.
If this is the correct translation, then the meaning is that no man in whom there is even a portion of the Holy Spirit would ever commit such a grievous sin as to be unfaithful to his covenant partner (Malachi 2:14). To put this in modern terminology, no born-again Christian would ever be so faithless to his wife by destroying his covenant of marriage with her.
It is impossible to say with any degree of certainty which is the correct translation and interpretation of this part of Malachi 2:15.
15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.