The question is intended to evoke a sense of incredulity and astonishment. No man would be so foolish as to rob God! A man would do far better to rob a she-bear of her cub or snatch the prey from a hungry lion than to rob God. The idea is ludicrous! By asking this question, the Lord seeks to show how foolish Israel has been stealing from God what belongs to him, supposing that there will be no consequences.
8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.