“Messenger of the covenant” is one of the prophetic names of Jesus (Yeshua‘).
Malachi 3:1 tells of two messengers who seem to be different people. One messenger comes to prepare the way of the Lord (Yahweh, or Jehovah); the other “Messenger of the covenant” is equated with Yahweh (Jehovah) Himself. In the New Testament, John the Baptist had the role of preparing the way for Jesus; Jesus came to bring the new covenant of a relationship with God based on faith in Jesus’ work on the cross. The book of Hebrews identifies Jesus as a covenant making high priest, the Mediator of a new covenant.
Messenger of the covenant (Malakh habberith) in the Hebrew text of Malachi 3:1
Messenger of the covenant in Hebrew:
Mal’akh habberit
Strong’s Concordance numbers: 4397, 1285
Bible reference: Mal. 3:1
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and theLord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:1, KJV)
The Old Testament mentions a God of the covenant, ’El berit (Judg. 9:46), but the context suggests it is more likely to be the name of a Canaanite god. A few verses later, the Canaanite name Ba‘al berit occurs (Judg. 9:4).
