Meaning, commentary and cross references
Hosea 6:6
“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
NIV · New International Version
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
WEB · World English Bible
For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
What does Hosea 6:6 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Hosea 6:6
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice,.... That is, the one rather than the other, as the next clause explains it. Sacrifices were of early use, even before the law of Moses; they were of divine appointment, and were approved and accepted of by the Lord; they were types of Christ, and led to him, and were continued unto his death; but in comparison of moral duties, which respect love to God, and to our neighbour, the Lord did not will them, desire them, and delight in them; or he had more regard for the former than the latter; see 1 Samuel 15:22; nor did he will or accept at all of the sacrifices ordered to the calves at Dan and Bethel; nor others, when they were not such as the law…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Hosea 6:4–11
What the covenant was that God made with them, and upon what terms they should obtain his favour and be accepted of him (Hos 6:6): I desired mercy and not sacrifice (that is, rather than sacrifice), and insisted upon the knowledge of God more than upon burnt-offerings. Mercy here is the same word which in Hos 6:4 is rendered goodness - chesed - piety, sanctity; it is put for all practical religion; it is the same with charity in the New Testament, the reigning love of God and our neighbour, and this accompanied with and flowing from the knowledge of God, as he has revealed himself in his word, a firm belief that he is, and is the rewarder of those that diligently seek him, a good affection…
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Hosea 6:6–7
6. Quia misericordiam volo (vel, quia humanitas placet mihi) et non sacrificuim; et cognitio Dei (placet mihi, subaudiendum est) prae holocaustis. 7. But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me. 7. Et ipsi tanquam homines ransgressi sunt pactum; [33] illic perfide egerunt in me (vel, Tanquam hominis pactum transgressi sunt, ut postea videbimus.)
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Hosea 6:3–9 (WEB)
3Let’s acknowledge the LORD. Let’s press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, the LORD will appear. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain that waters the earth.” 4“Ephraim, what shall I do to you? Judah, what shall I do to you? For your love is like a morning cloud, and like the dew that disappears early. 5Therefore I have cut them to pieces with the prophets; I killed them with the words of my mouth. Your judgments are like a flash of lightning. 6For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. 7But they, like Adam, have broken the covenant. They were unfaithful to me there. 8Gilead is a city of those who work iniquity; it is stained with blood. 9As gangs of robbers wait to ambush a man, so the company of priests murder on the path toward Shechem, committing shameful crimes.
Cross references
- Matthew 9:13
But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
- Matthew 12:7
But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless.
- Proverbs 21:3
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
- 1 Samuel 15:22
Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the LORD’s voice? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.
- Amos 5:21
I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can’t stand your solemn assemblies.
- Ecclesiastes 5:1
Guard your steps when you go to God’s house; for to draw near to listen is better than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they don’t know that they do evil.
- Isaiah 1:11
“What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?”, says the LORD. “I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed animals. I don’t delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of male goats.
- Jeremiah 22:16
He judged the cause of the poor and needy; so then it was well. Wasn’t this to know me?” says the LORD.