King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Sacrifices and grain offerings you don't want; burnt offerings and sin offerings you don't demand. Instead, you have given me open ears;
Berean Standard Bible:
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but my ears You have opened. Burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require.
American Standard Version:
Sacrifice and offering thou hast no delight in; Mine ears hast thou opened: Burnt-offering and sin-offering hast thou not required.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Sacrifice{H2077} and offering{H4503} thou didst not desire{H2654}{H8804)}; mine ears{H241} hast thou opened{H3738}{H8804)}: burnt offering{H5930} and sin offering{H2401} hast thou not required{H7592}{H8804)}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Isaiah 1:11
- To what purpose [is] the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
Hebrews 10:5
- Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
Hebrews 10:12
- But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
1 Samuel 15:22
- And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams.
Psalms 51:16
- For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give [it]: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
Hosea 6:6
- For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Matthew 12:7
- But if ye had known what [this] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Psalms 40:6
Psalm 40:6 is part of a larger psalm traditionally attributed to King David, though the exact authorship is a matter of scholarly debate. This verse reflects a broader theme in the Hebrew Bible, particularly within the prophetic tradition, which emphasizes the moral and ethical dimensions of worship over mere ritual sacrifice. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the ancient Israelite religious practices, which included various forms of sacrifices and offerings as a means to atone for sins and express devotion to God.
In this verse, the psalmist asserts that God has no inherent desire for the blood of sacrifices or the smoke of burnt offerings. Instead, the emphasis is placed on a deeper, more personal form of worship and obedience. The phrase "mine ears hast thou opened" suggests a readiness to listen and obey God's will, indicating a preference for inner spiritual transformation over external religious rituals. This idea is consistent with the messages of prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Hosea, who also stressed the importance of justice, mercy, and humility before God.
The theme of Psalm 40:6 is particularly significant in the transition from the old covenant, which was heavily centered on the Levitical sacrificial system, to a new covenant of the heart, as later articulated in the New Testament by Jesus and his apostles. This shift in emphasis from ritual to relationship is a cornerstone of Judeo-Christian theology and is reflected in the Christian understanding of Jesus' sacrifice as the ultimate and final offering, rendering the old system of animal sacrifices obsolete. Thus, Psalm 40:6 encapsulates a pivotal moment in the religious evolution of ancient Israel, one that continues to resonate in the spiritual life of Jewish and Christian communities alike.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H2077
There are 153 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זֶבַח
Transliteration: zebach
Pronunciation: zeh'-bakh
Description: from זָבַח; properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act); offer(-ing), sacrifice. - Strong's Number: H4503
There are 194 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִנְחָה
Transliteration: minchâh
Pronunciation: min-khaw'
Description: from an unused root meaning to apportion, i.e. bestow; a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary); gift, oblation, (meat) offering, present, sacrifice. - Strong's Number: H2654
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָפֵץ
Transliteration: châphêts
Pronunciation: khaw-fates'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire; [idiom] any at all, (have, take) delight, desire, favour, like, move, be (well) pleased, have pleasure, will, would. - Strong's Number: H241
There are 652 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹזֶן
Transliteration: ʼôzen
Pronunciation: o'-zen
Description: from אָזַן; broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man); [phrase] advertise, audience, [phrase] displease, ear, hearing, [phrase] show. - Strong's Number: H3738
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּרָה
Transliteration: kârâh
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot; generally, to bore or open; dig, [idiom] make (a banquet), open. - Strong's Number: H5930
There are 262 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֹלָה
Transliteration: ʻôlâh
Pronunciation: o-law'
Description: or עוֹלָה; feminine active participle of עָלָה; a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke); ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. See also עֶוֶל. - Strong's Number: H2401
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֲטָאָה
Transliteration: chăṭâʼâh
Pronunciation: khat-aw-aw'
Description: feminine of חֵטְא; an offence, or a sacrifice forit; sin (offering). - Strong's Number: H7592
There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאַל
Transliteration: shâʼal
Pronunciation: shaw-al'
Description: or שָׁאֵל; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand; ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish.