Malachi 1:8

Authorized King James Version

And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְכִֽי
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
תַגִּ֛ישׁוּ
H5066
And if ye offer
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
#3
עִוֵּ֤ר
H5787
the blind
blind (literally or figuratively)
#4
לִזְבֹּ֙חַ֙
H2076
for sacrifice
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
#5
אֵ֣ין
H369
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#6
רָ֑ע
H7451
is it not evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#7
וְכִ֥י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#8
תַגִּ֛ישׁוּ
H5066
And if ye offer
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
#9
פִּסֵּ֥חַ
H6455
the lame
lame
#10
וְחֹלֶ֖ה
H2470
and sick
properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat
#11
אֵ֣ין
H369
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
#12
רָ֑ע
H7451
is it not evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#13
הַקְרִיבֵ֨הוּ
H7126
offer
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#14
נָ֜א
H4994
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#15
לְפֶחָתֶ֗ךָ
H6346
it now unto thy governor
a prefect (of a city or small district)
#16
הֲיִרְצְךָ֙
H7521
will he be pleased
to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt
#17
א֚וֹ
H176
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
#18
הֲיִשָּׂ֣א
H5375
with thee or accept
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#19
פָנֶ֔יךָ
H6440
thy person
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#20
אָמַ֖ר
H559
saith
to say (used with great latitude)
#21
יְהוָ֥ה
H3068
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#22
צְבָאֽוֹת׃
H6635
of hosts
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

Analysis

Within the broader context of Malachi, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Malachi's theological argument.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Malachi Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection