Lexical Summary qedorannith: Darkness, Gloominess Original Word: קְדֹרַנִּית Strong's Exhaustive Concordance mournfully Adverb from qadar; blackish ones (i.e. In sackcloth); used adverbially, in mourning weeds -- mournfully. see HEBREW qadar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom qadar Definition as mourners NASB Translation mourning (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs קְדֹרַנִּית adverb as mourners; — Malachi 3:14. Topical Lexicon Scriptural Context Strong’s Hebrew 6941 appears once, in Malachi 3:14, where the returned community voices its frustration: “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the LORD of Hosts?’”. The word colors their complaint with an air of dark, sullen gloom. It is not the sorrow of genuine repentance but the dour attitude of those who believe covenant obedience offers no practical return. Historical Setting Malachi prophesied after the Babylonian exile, when temple worship had been re-established yet economic hardship and foreign domination persisted (compare Nehemiah 13:10-11). People expected immediate blessing for ritual conformity. When prosperity lagged, disillusionment set in. Their “gloominess” was therefore less a humble lament and more an embittered disappointment that God had not met their timing or terms. Exegetical Observations 1. Verb Relationship: The people claim they have “walked” in this state, indicating an ongoing manner of life rather than a momentary emotion. Theological Significance • True repentance involves hopeful expectancy, not sullen resignation (Psalm 130:7; Romans 8:24-25). Related Themes in Scripture – Counterfeit sorrow: “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation… but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). – Joy in obedience: “Serve the LORD with gladness” (Psalm 100:2). – Weariness in service: Elijah’s despair (1 Kings 19:4-10) contrasts with God’s sustaining presence, illustrating that authentic lament always holds room for renewed mission. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Diagnostic Tool: When discipleship is marked by chronic gloom, leaders should probe motives—performance, entitlement, or misunderstood promises? Application for Contemporary Believers In seasons where obedience seems “futile,” Malachi 3:14 cautions against slipping into קְדֹרַנִּית. The antidote is a renewed vision of God’s faithfulness, a recalibration of expectations to the timeline of eternity, and a cultivation of joy that springs from relationship, not remuneration. Forms and Transliterations קְדֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית קדרנית keDoranNit qə·ḏō·ran·nîṯ qəḏōrannîṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Malachi 3:14 HEB: וְכִ֤י הָלַ֙כְנוּ֙ קְדֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית מִפְּנֵ֖י יְהוָ֥ה NAS: and that we have walked in mourning before KJV: and that we have walked mournfully before INT: for have walked mourning before God 1 Occurrence |
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