Malachi 2:16 Hebrew help

[Puritan Sailor]

ESV
"For the man who hates and divorces, says the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless."


NKJV
Malachi 2:16
"For the LORD God of Israel says
That He hates divorce,
For it covers one's garment with violence,"
Says the LORD of hosts.
"Therefore take heed to your spirit,
That you do not deal treacherously."

What does the Hebrew say? God hates? Or the man hates? Textual variant?

 

[fredtgreco]

Hebrew does not help. The verb for hates and divorces is a 3rd masculaine singular. The issue is whether it is part of an independent clause and has an indefinite subject ("the man who") or whether it belongs as a part of the indirect speech (the Lord says that...).

I don't think there is much difference, but I prefer (again) the NKJ and NASB (and even the NIV!) to the ESV rendering.