Charles Ellicott Commentary Malachi 2:5

"My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him that he might fear; and he feared me, and stood in awe of my name." — Malachi 2:5 (ASV)

Of life and peace. — Better, life and peace — that is, by it life and peace were guaranteed to him.

Life in its highest sense.

Peace as the sum total of blessing: the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace. (Galatians 5:22; compare to the note on Zechariah 6:13).

Them — namely, life and peace.

For the fear ... me. — Better, As fear — (that is, as a motive for the fear of God), and he did fear me.

Or, perhaps, a still better interpretation is that which represents God and Levi as each having performed his part of the covenant—God in bestowing "life and peace," Levi in rendering "fear."

According to this view, the words should be translated: My covenant was with him—namely, life and peace—and I gave them to him; fear, and he feared me, and trembled before My Name.