Malak becomes Valak
October 1st, 2026
by Eduardo
The Hebrew word which corresponds to what later would be called angel (from the corresponding Greek word, angelos) in the Holy Word is Malak:
https://biblehub.com/hebrew/4397.htm
The word denotes an envoy or a messenger:
1. a messenger
2. specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
Therefore according to the context and by whom the malak was sent by, the meaning of the word is given:
1 messenger,
a. one sent with a message Genesis 32:4 8t. J E; Deuteronomy 2:26, (not in P); Judges 6:35 8t.; 1 Samuel 6:21 51t. Samuel Kings, 1 Chronicles 14:1; 1 Chronicles 19:2,16; 2Chronicles 18:12; 35:21; Nehemiah 6:3; Job 1:14; Proverbs 13:17; Proverbs 17:11; Isaiah 14:32; Isaiah 18:2; Isaiah 30:4; Isaiah 37:9,14; Jeremiah 27:3; Ezekiel 17:15; Ezekiel 23:16,40; Ezekiel 30:9; Nahum 2:14; מלאכי שׁלום, messengers of peace Isaiah 33:7.
b. a prophet Isaiah 42:19; Isaiah 44:26; 2Chronicles 36:15,16; Haggai 1:13; the herald of the advent מלאכי Malachi 3:1.
c. priest Malachi 2:7, probably Ecclesiastes 5:5 (RV angel).
d. "" מֵלִיץ Job 33:23, a messenger from God acting as an interpreter and declaring what is right (angel of RV too specific).
e. figurative רָעִים ׳מ messengers of evil Psalm 78:49; מות ׳מ messenger of death Proverbs 16:14; "" רוחות winds his messengers Psalm 104:4.
2 angel, as messenger of God, מלאכים with God in theophanies Genesis 19:1,15; Genesis 28:12; Genesis 32:2 (JE), praising him; Psalm 103:20; Psalm 148:2; in his sight not without error Job 4:18 charged with the care of the pious Psalm 91:11; elsewhere singular sent to a prophet 1 Kings 13:18; 1 Kings 19:5,7; 2 Kings 1:3,15; Zechariah 1:9 18t. in Zechariah 1-6; excellent, wise, powerful 1 Samuel 29:9; 2 Samuel 14:17,20; 2 Samuel 19:28; Zechariah 12:8; encamping about the faithful Psalm 34:8; chasing his enemies Psalm 35:5; Psalm 35:6; destroying by judgment of Yahweh 2 Samuel 24:16,17 = 1 Chronicles 21:12-30; 2 Kings 19:35 = Isaiah 37:36 2Chronicles 32:21.
3 the theophanic angel ה֯א֠להים ׳מ in the story of E: Genesis 21:17; Genesis 31:11; Exodus 14:19, also in Judges 6:20; Judges 13:6,9; יהוה ׳מ in the story of J: Genesis 16:7,9,10,11; Genesis 22:11,15; Exodus 3:2; Numbers 22:22,23,24,25,26,27,31,32,34,35 and in Judges 2:1; Judges 2:4; Judges 5:23; Judges 6:11; Judges 6:12; Judges 6:21 (twice in verse); Judges 6:22 (twice in verse); Judges 13:3,13,15,16 (twice in verse); Judges 13:17,18,20 (twice in verse); Judges 13:21; הַמַּלְאָךְ Genesis 48:16 (E); מַלְאָךְ Exodus 23:20 (E), Exodus 33:2; Numbers 20:16 (JE), Hosea 12:5; מַלְאָכִי Exodus 23:23 (E), Exodus 32:34 (J); מַלְאָכוֺ Genesis 24:7,40 (J), פניו ׳מ Malachi 3:1 (referring to the ancient מלאך); הכרית ׳מ Malachi 3:1 (referring to the advent of ׳י for judgment, see BrMP 473). The theophanic angel is not mentioned in D and P.
One notable example of malak is in:
Malachi 3:1
"Behold, I will send my messenger [malak], and he shall prepare the way before me: and YHVH, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger [malak] of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith YHVH of hosts."
Which is directly quoted, together with Isaiah 40 in:
Mark 1:1-4
"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;
As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger [angelos] before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."
