Celestial-image Aha: the Hebrew genuinely uses sun imagery and “wings,” a word that can describe wings or extremities. The image is poetic and theological; it does not require a hidden zodiac or astronomical code.

Evidence boundary: Christian interpreters have long read the “Sun of righteousness” Christologically, and the wider canon certainly associates messianic salvation with light. But the New Testament never explicitly quotes Malachi 4:2 and says, “this Sun is Christ.” A responsible reading should therefore present that reading as a strong/traditional Christological trajectory, not as an explicit inspired identification.