The full thought is "Why does he not turn toward the offering or accept it with favor from our hand?" (See: [Malachi 2:13](./13.md)) 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]])
# Did he not make them one, with a portion of his spirit?
This question may be expressed as a statement. AT: "He certainly made husband and wife one, with a portion of his spirit." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
# make them one
This expression implies making husband and wife one flesh. AT: "make husband and wife one flesh" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
# an offspring from God
Children who would honor and obey God.
# 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]])
# by covenant
"by the covenant of marriage that you agreed to"
# I hate divorce
Here "divorce" stands for the act of divorce, when a man sends away his wife, so as to end his marriage to her. AT: "I hate it when a man divorces his wife" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
# the one who covers his garment with violence
This phrase probably means any man who is violent toward his wife. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
# So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not be faithless