The full thought, as in [Malachi 2:13](../02/13.md), is "Why does he not turn toward the offering or accept it with favor from our hand?" Some translators may decide to provide this entire thought in their versions. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
# Yahweh was a witness between you and the wife of your youth
This statement assumes that this woman is still living. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
# a witness between you and the wife of your youth
Here a witness to an agreement between two people is thought of as standing between them in order to testify about what they agreed to, in case a dispute arises between the two people. This sentence also was meant to remind the people that Yahweh would punish any Israelite who broke the covenant of marriage. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
# she was your companion and your wife by covenant
This statement implies that many of the Israelites had divorced their wives. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])