Malachi 1:9

Authorized King James Version

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And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts.

Original Language Analysis

וְעַתָּ֛ה H6258
וְעַתָּ֛ה
Strong's: H6258
Word #: 1 of 15
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
חַלּוּ And now I pray you beseech H2470
חַלּוּ And now I pray you beseech
Strong's: H2470
Word #: 2 of 15
properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat
נָ֥א H4994
נָ֥א
Strong's: H4994
Word #: 3 of 15
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
פָּנִ֔ים your persons H6440
פָּנִ֔ים your persons
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 4 of 15
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֵ֖ל God H410
אֵ֖ל God
Strong's: H410
Word #: 5 of 15
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
וִֽיחָנֵ֑נוּ that he will be gracious H2603
וִֽיחָנֵ֑נוּ that he will be gracious
Strong's: H2603
Word #: 6 of 15
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
מִיֶּדְכֶם֙ unto us this hath been by your means H3027
מִיֶּדְכֶם֙ unto us this hath been by your means
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 7 of 15
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
הָ֣יְתָה H1961
הָ֣יְתָה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 8 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
זֹּ֔את H2063
זֹּ֔את
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 9 of 15
this (often used adverb)
הֲיִשָּׂ֤א will he regard H5375
הֲיִשָּׂ֤א will he regard
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 10 of 15
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
מִכֶּם֙ H4480
מִכֶּם֙
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 11 of 15
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
פָּנִ֔ים your persons H6440
פָּנִ֔ים your persons
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 12 of 15
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אָמַ֖ר saith H559
אָמַ֖ר saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 13 of 15
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֥ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 14 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָאֽוֹת׃ of hosts H6635
צְבָאֽוֹת׃ of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 15 of 15
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

Analysis & Commentary

And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts. The verse drips with irony. Beseech God that he will be gracious (חַלּוּ־נָא פְּנֵי־אֵל וִיחָנֵנוּ, ḥallu-na fenei-El viḥanenu)—God challenges the priests to pray for mercy despite their contemptuous worship. The verb חָלָה (ḥalah) means to seek favor, entreat, appease. חָנַן (ḥanan) means to be gracious, show favor, have mercy.

This hath been by your means (מִיֶּדְכֶם הָיְתָה זֹּאת, miyyed khem hayetah zot) assigns responsibility—the corruption came from priestly hands. The rhetorical question follows: will he regard your persons? (הֲיִשָּׂא מִכֶּם פָּנִים, hayissa mikkem panim). The phrase נָשָׂא פָנִים (nasa panim, lift up the face) means to show favor or accept. Answer: No. Those who despise God cannot expect Him to accept their intercession.

This principle appears throughout Scripture: God rejects the prayers of those living in willful sin (Psalm 66:18, Proverbs 28:9, Isaiah 1:15, James 4:3). Under the new covenant, Christ is our intercessor (Hebrews 7:25, 1 John 2:1), but believers must still approach God with clean hands and pure hearts (Psalm 24:3-4, Hebrews 10:22, 1 Peter 3:12).

Historical Context

The priests' dual role as sacrificial offerers and intercessors was central to Israel's covenant relationship with God. They stood between God and people, offering sacrifices upward and blessing downward. When priests became corrupt, the entire mediation system broke down. Their defiled sacrifices made them unfit intercessors. This foreshadows Christianity's need for a perfect mediator. Only Christ, who offered Himself as unblemished sacrifice, can intercede effectively for sinners. His priesthood supersedes the Levitical system precisely because He is both perfect sacrifice and perfect intercessor (Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:23-28, 9:11-14).

Questions for Reflection