One of the twelve minor prophets, this book was composed by an anonymous author shortly before Nehemiah's arrival in Jerusalem (445 BCE). The author leveled sharp reproaches against the priests and rulers of the people, and therefore was probably interested in concealing his/her name; so the name used, Malachi ("My Messenger"), makes a claim for the divine authority of the message. The prophecy gives us a picture of life in the post-exilic community between Haggai and the reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah. The Day of the Lord is a main theme of the prophecy, and there also is mentioned a forerunner who will prepare the way for God.

a Hebrew minor prophet of the 5th century BC

an Old Testament book containing the prophecies of Malachi