The Meaning of Malachi 1:9 Explained

Malachi 1:9

KJV: 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.

YLT: And now, appease, I pray thee, the face of God, And He doth favour us; From your own hand hath this been, Doth He accept of you appearances? Said Jehovah of Hosts.

Darby: And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us. This hath been of your hand: will he accept any of your persons? saith Jehovah of hosts.

ASV: And now, I pray you, entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he accept any of your persons? saith Jehovah of hosts.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Malachi 1:9 Mean?

Verse Meaning

How foolish it was to pray for God to bestow His favor on the priests when they were despising Him in these ways.
"This is irony. God will not hear the prayers of those who dishonor him." [1]
"Over the years, I"ve participated in many ordination examinations, and I"ve looked for four characteristics in each candidate: a personal experience of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ; a sense of calling from the Lord; a love for and knowledge of the Word of God; and a high respect for the work of the ministry. Whenever we"ve examined a candidate who was flippant about ministry, who saw it as a job and not a divine calling, he didn"t get my vote. Whether as a pastor, missionary, teacher, choir member, or usher, being a servant of God is a serious thing, and it deserves the very best that we can give." [2]

Context Summary

Malachi 1:1-14 - Sincerity Of Worship Sought
The love referred to in these opening Malachi 1:1-5, was exemplified in the divine choice, that through Israel the whole world might be blessed. Hate does not mean positive dislike but a forfeiture of the supreme place of privilege and ministry. Esau's sensuous nature preferred the mess of pottage to the birthright, and this was characteristic of his people. In Malachi 1:6-14 the prophet turns to the priests. They despised God's name and without scruple offered on his altar the lame, the blind, and the sick. They did not hesitate to speak of the routine of Levitical service as a weariness. Notice the pathetic appeal of Malachi 1:10, r.v., "Oh that there were one to shut the doors of my house, that ye might not offer vain sacrifices!" In contrast to this indifference, the truly marvelous outlook in Malachi 1:11 is very significant. Far away from Jewish altars, God's name was revered in Gentile lands, and sacrifices were offered which He accepted. The words remind us of Acts 10:34-35. [source]

Chapter Summary: Malachi 1

1  Malachi complains of Israel's unkindness;
2  of their irreverence and profaneness

What do the individual words in Malachi 1:9 mean?

But now entreat I pray favor God's that He may be gracious to us by your hands [While] is being [done] this will He accept favorably you favor says Yahweh of hosts
וְעַתָּ֛ה חַלּוּ־ נָ֥א ؟ פְנֵי־ אֵ֖ל וִֽיחָנֵ֑נוּ‪‬ מִיֶּדְכֶם֙ הָ֣יְתָה זֹּ֔את הֲיִשָּׂ֤א מִכֶּם֙ פָּנִ֔ים אָמַ֖ר יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת

וְעַתָּ֛ה  But  now 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: עַתָּה  
Sense: now.
חַלּוּ־  entreat 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: חָלָה 
Sense: to be or become weak, be or become sick, be or become diseased, be or become grieved, be or become sorry.
נָ֥א  I  pray 
Parse: Interjection
Root: נָא  
Sense: I (we) pray, now, please.
؟ פְנֵי־  favor 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
אֵ֖ל  God's 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֵל 
Sense: god, god-like one, mighty one.
וִֽיחָנֵ֑נוּ‪‬  that  He  may  be  gracious  to  us 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect, third person masculine singular, first person common plural
Root: חָנַן 
Sense: to be gracious, show favour, pity.
מִיֶּדְכֶם֙  by  your  hands 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, feminine singular construct, second person masculine plural
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.
הָ֣יְתָה  [While]  is  being  [done] 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person feminine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
זֹּ֔את  this 
Parse: Pronoun, feminine singular
Root: זׄאת  
Sense: this, this one, here, which, this … that, the one … the other, such.
הֲיִשָּׂ֤א  will  He  accept  favorably 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
פָּנִ֔ים  favor 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
אָמַ֖ר  says 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
יְהוָ֥ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
צְבָאֽוֹת  of  hosts 
Parse: Noun, common plural
Root: צָבָא 
Sense: that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host.