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1.3 KiB
Now you keep asking the face of God, that he may be gracious to us
Malachi is no longer speaking for God. He is talking directly to the Israelites; he is criticizing them for daring to think that God will have mercy on them.
keep asking the face of God
Here "face" stands for God and also for his presence. Alternate translation: "keep asking God in his presence" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche)
with such an offering in your hand, would he lift up any of your faces?
Here Yahweh is asking a question in order to make a statement of rebuke. Alternate translation: "if you offer unacceptable offerings, he will certainly not lift up your faces." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion and rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom)
with such an offering in your hand
This difficult phrase in Hebrew is interpreted in many different ways by modern versions.
in your hand
Here "hand" stands for the people bringing the offering. Alternate translation: "brought by you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche)
would he lift up any of your faces
Lifting up someone's face refers to accepting him with favor. Alternate translation: "would he accept any of you with favor" or "would he agree to help any of you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom)