Messenger Mal’ach- מלאד

A while back I wrote on the Hebrew word elohim and how its meaning can differ depending on its surrounding context. Sometimes the word can refer to the one and only true G-d of Israel and at other times it refers to the false gods of the pagan nations. Along similar lines, today we are going to explore the meaning of the Hebrew word mal’ach that also depending on its surrounding context can undergo alterations in its meaning.

First of all, as a direct translation, the word mal’ach (plural form is mal’achim) simply means a messenger. In Scripture it can sometimes refer to human messengers like a normal mail carrier for the king or even prophets who have been commissioned to deliver a message from G-d or it can refer to angels. In the Bible, the word is used 103 times concerning human messengers and 111 times concerning heavenly messengers (King James Version).

Unfortunately, sometimes this word is incorrectly translated into angel when it should have just been translated as messenger. When the word is specifically referring to heaven-sent angels, there will be an accompanying spiritual reference next to the word such as Malach elohim or Malach adonai or one will be able to tell from the context that the type of “malach” in question is actually a spiritual being. For example, the messengers that were sent to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah in the original Hebrew are only called “malach” but given the supernatural powers they exhibited, we know that indeed they were angels. However, in more cases than not, when malach is used by itself, it usually means a human messenger.

Let’s take a look at Genesis Chapter 32, verses 1 through 3.

“Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God!” So he named that place Mahanaim. Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.”

Now in the original Hebrew, the words are translated as follows:

Angels of God→Malachim Elohim

Messengers→Malachim

Note: im is added when one wants to pluralize a noun.

For today’s closing inspirational thought, I would like to stress that as Christians, in a sense we have been called to be malachim for G-d and be brave and bold witnesses when it comes to taking a stand for a Biblically-ordained holy life and the messianic credentials of Jesus. L-rd, help us to be faithful malachim for your Word and your kingdom.
Amen.