Meaning & use
Malachi
Last updated
Meanings
proper nounproper
A male given name of Hebrew origin, used especially in English-speaking countries.
Grammar: Capitalize it as a name: 'Malachi is my brother.' It does not take 'the'.
Malachi scored the winning goal in the final minute.
My cousin Malachi is learning to play the guitar.
She named her son Malachi after her grandfather.
proper nounproperreligion
The last book of the Old Testament in the Bible, or the prophet traditionally believed to have written it.
Grammar: When referring to the book, it often appears without 'the': 'the book of Malachi' or simply 'Malachi'.
Patterns
- the book of Malachi
- the prophet Malachi
The sermon was based on a passage from Malachi.
Malachi is the final book in the Christian Old Testament.
Scholars debate the identity of the prophet Malachi.
Common combinations
- the prophet Malachi
- The prophet Malachi warned the people about their behavior.
- the book of Malachi
- We read the book of Malachi in our Bible study group.
- Malachi chapter one
- The reading was from Malachi chapter one, verse two.
Commonly confused: Malachi or Malachy? Malachi or Malakai?
Malachi vs Malachy
Malachy is a different spelling of the same name, common in Ireland, but it is pronounced with a final 'ee' sound.
Malachi vs Malakai
Malakai is a modern variant spelling, especially in the United States, but it is less traditional.
Practice
Which is the correct pronunciation of 'Malachi'?
Choose one answer.
The standard English pronunciation puts the stress on the first syllable and ends with a 'kai' sound: /ˈmæləkaɪ/. The other options place the stress differently or use a 'ch' sound that is not standard.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Malachi”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.