We must be careful to ensure we use the word "hate" in the context the Bible uses it. What is the context? "Hate" is the action of God towards the firstborn, Esau, who has been passed over in order to show preferential treatment to a younger sibling, Jacob, in the matter of inheritance. This was considered an act of despite seeing as it required certain privileges to be removed from Esau. So it is purely an act of government, and not in any sense a personal feeling. This is supported by the apostle Paul when he quotes Malachi in the context of "the election of grace." It is an action of a superior in choosing to bestow or withhold blessings upon an inferior. Human characteristics of hate must not be imported into the term. If we understand the term is speaking of preferential treatment, then there is no reason why the comparative may not be used, as Charles Hodge has suggested.

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Yours sincerely,


"Illum oportet crescere me autem minui."