Malachi 2:9
Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.
Original Language Analysis
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
נָתַ֧תִּי
Therefore have I also made
H5414
נָתַ֧תִּי
Therefore have I also made
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
3 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶתְכֶ֛ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֛ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֑ם
before all the people
H5971
הָעָ֑ם
before all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
8 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כְּפִ֗י
according
H6310
כְּפִ֗י
according
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
9 of 17
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֵֽינְכֶם֙
H369
שֹׁמְרִ֣ים
as ye have not kept
H8104
שֹׁמְרִ֣ים
as ye have not kept
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
דְּרָכַ֔י
my ways
H1870
דְּרָכַ֔י
my ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
14 of 17
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְנֹשְׂאִ֥ים
but have been partial
H5375
וְנֹשְׂאִ֥ים
but have been partial
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
15 of 17
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
Cross References
Deuteronomy 1:17Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.1 Samuel 2:30Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.Luke 10:29But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?Luke 11:42But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.Galatians 2:6But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:Ezekiel 13:21Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.1 Kings 22:28And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.Malachi 2:8But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
Historical Context
Priestly corruption in Malachi's time included favoritism—accepting bribes, showing partiality to the wealthy, oppressing the poor. This violated explicit Torah commands against partiality in judgment (Leviticus 19:15, Deuteronomy 16:18-20). When spiritual leaders become political operatives serving powerful interests rather than God's truth, they forfeit divine blessing and public respect. Jesus condemned similar partiality in Pharisees who devoured widows' houses while making long prayers (Luke 20:47). James warned churches against favoritism based on wealth (James 2:1-9). God's justice requires impartiality; His judgment falls on those who twist it for personal gain.
Questions for Reflection
- How does showing partiality in applying God's word corrupt ministry and bring divine judgment?
- What does it mean that God made the priests 'contemptible' in proportion to their contempt for Him?
- How should church leaders guard against favoritism toward the wealthy, powerful, or influential?
Analysis & Commentary
Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law. God's judgment matches the crime. I also made you contemptible and base (וְגַם־אֲנִי נָתַתִּי אֶתְכֶם נִבְזִים וּשְׁפָלִים, vegam-ani natatti etkhem nivzim ushfelim)—נִבְזֶה (nivzeh, contemptible/despised) and שָׁפָל (shafel, base/lowly) describe public humiliation. The priests who despised God's name (1:6) are themselves despised. Before all the people (לְכָל־הָעָם, lekhol-ha'am)—their shame is public, not private.
The reason: according as ye have not kept my ways (כִּי אֵינְכֶם שֹׁמְרִים אֶת־דְּרָכַי, ki einekhem shomerim et-derakhai). They failed to guard God's ways as they should have guarded knowledge (v. 7). Worse, ye have been partial in the law (וְנֹשְׂאִים פָּנִים בַּתּוֹרָה, venoseim panim battorah). נָשָׂא פָנִים (nasa panim, lift up face) means showing partiality or favoritism. They twisted Torah to favor the powerful while oppressing the weak—the exact opposite of God's justice (Leviticus 19:15, Deuteronomy 1:17, 16:19).
This principle operates throughout history: those who exalt themselves are humbled; those who humble themselves are exalted (Matthew 23:12, Luke 14:11, 18:14, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5).