Amos 5:22

KJV

Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept [them]: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.

KJV (with Strong's)

Though ye offer {H5927} me burnt offerings {H5930} and your meat offerings {H4503}, I will not accept {H7521} them: neither will I regard {H5027} the peace offerings {H8002} of your fat beasts {H4806}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If you offer me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; nor will I consider the peace offerings of your stall-fed cattle.

Berean Standard Bible

Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard.

American Standard Version

Yea, though ye offer me your burnt-offerings and meal-offerings, I will not accept them; neither will I regard the peace-offerings of your fat beasts.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Amos 5:22 delivers a profound divine indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, unequivocally rejecting their religious rituals and sacrifices. Despite their diligent performance of various offerings—burnt offerings, grain offerings, and peace offerings, even those from their finest livestock—God declares them unacceptable. This verse powerfully underscores that outward acts of worship, however meticulously performed or costly, are utterly worthless and even detestable to God when divorced from genuine righteousness, social justice, and a transformed heart. It reveals God's prioritization of ethical living and sincere devotion over mere ceremonial compliance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Amos 5:22 is situated within a broader section of the book (Amos 5:18-27) where the prophet Amos pronounces a "Woe" oracle against those who long for the "day of the Lord." This section starkly contrasts their misguided anticipation with the true nature of God's judgment. Immediately preceding this verse, [Amos 5:21](/amos/5-21 "Amos 5:21 - God Hates Their Feast Days") declares God's explicit hatred for their feast days and solemn assemblies, setting the stage for the rejection of their sacrifices in verse 22. The subsequent verses, particularly [Amos 5:23-24](/amos/5-23-24 "Amos 5:23-24 - Let Justice Roll Down"), continue this theme by rejecting their songs and music, culminating in the famous call for justice to roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. The entire passage highlights the profound disconnect between Israel's outward religiosity and their inward moral corruption.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Amos ministered to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the prosperous reign of Jeroboam II (c. 793-753 BC). This era was marked by significant economic growth and political stability, leading to widespread affluence among the elite. However, this prosperity was built upon and accompanied by rampant social injustice, oppression of the poor, corruption in the legal system, and syncretistic worship practices. While the people continued to observe the Mosaic rituals at cultic centers like Bethel and Gilgal, their hearts were far from God, and their society was riddled with ethical decay. The sacrifices mentioned—burnt offerings (`'olah`), grain offerings (`minchah`), and peace offerings (`shelem`)—were legitimate components of the Mosaic Law, intended to facilitate atonement, devotion, and fellowship with God. However, in Amos's day, they had become empty rituals, performed without sincerity or accompanying righteous living, making God's rejection a powerful indictment of their hypocrisy.
* **Key Themes:** Amos 5:22 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Amos and the prophetic tradition. Firstly, it underscores the **rejection of hypocritical worship**, a central message throughout Amos, where outward religious performance is condemned when divorced from inward transformation and ethical conduct. This theme is echoed in [Amos 4:4-5](/amos/4-4-5 "Amos 4:4-5 - Empty Rituals at Bethel"), where their zealous but unrighteous worship is satirically encouraged. Secondly, the verse highlights God's **prioritization of righteousness and justice over ritual**. God desires genuine obedience and a commitment to moral uprightness far more than ceremonial compliance, a principle articulated clearly in [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Justice Like a River"). Thirdly, it reveals the **spiritual emptiness** of a people who went through the motions of faith but lacked true devotion, demonstrating that God sees beyond external acts to the condition of the heart, a truth consistently emphasized throughout the prophetic books, such as in [Isaiah 1:11-17](/isaiah/1-11-17 "Isaiah 1:11-17 - God's Weariness with Empty Sacrifices").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **offer (Hebrew, _ʻâlâh'_):** From H5927, meaning "to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work." In this context, it specifically refers to the act of "offering" sacrifices, particularly burnt offerings which "ascend" in smoke to God. The irony is that while the physical smoke ascends, God's acceptance does not.
* **meat offerings (Hebrew, _minchâh'_):** From H4503, meaning "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." This refers to the grain or cereal offerings, often made of flour, oil, and frankincense, which were bloodless sacrifices typically offered as an act of devotion or thanksgiving. The term "meat offering" in KJV is an older translation for what is now commonly understood as a "grain offering."
* **accept (Hebrew, _râtsâh'_):** From H7521, meaning "a primitive root; to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt; (be) accept(-able), accomplish, set affection, approve, consent with, delight (self), enjoy, (be, have) a favour(-able), like, observe, pardon, (be, have, take) please(-ure), reconcile self." This verb denotes a strong sense of pleasure, approval, or delight. God's declaration "I will not accept" is a forceful statement of His absolute displeasure and refusal to find satisfaction or favor in their offerings, despite their outward appearance.
* **regard (Hebrew, _nâbaṭ'_):** From H5027, meaning "a primitive root; to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care; (cause to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see." This word implies not just a casual glance, but an attentive, favorable, and caring consideration. God's declaration "neither will I regard" signifies that He will not even look upon their peace offerings with any favor, attention, or respect, effectively dismissing them as utterly worthless in His sight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings":** This clause acknowledges the people's diligent performance of two primary categories of Mosaic sacrifices. The "burnt offerings" (`'olot`, H5930) were entirely consumed on the altar, symbolizing complete devotion and atonement. The "meat offerings" (`minchâh`, H4503) were grain offerings, typically expressions of thanksgiving or devotion. The phrase "Though ye offer" implies that the physical act of offering was indeed taking place, perhaps even with great frequency and outward zeal.
* **"I will not accept [them]:":** This is God's immediate and emphatic rejection. The Hebrew verb (`râtsâh`, H7521) signifies a complete refusal to be pleased with or to find favor in these sacrifices. Despite their religious effort, God declares them null and void, indicating that the problem lies not with the ritual itself, but with the heart and life of the offerer.
* **"neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.":** This second declaration reinforces the rejection, extending it to another significant category of sacrifice. "Peace offerings" (`shelem`, H8002) were typically fellowship offerings, where a portion was given to God, a portion to the priests, and the remainder consumed by the worshipers in a communal meal, symbolizing peace and communion with God. The mention of "fat beasts" (`mᵉrîyʼ`, H4806) suggests that the people were bringing their best, most valuable animals, indicating a desire to impress God with the quality or costliness of their sacrifice. Yet, even these premium offerings are dismissed, as God will not even "regard" (`nâbaṭ`, H5027) them with any favorable attention or respect, highlighting the depth of His displeasure.

#### Literary Devices
Amos 5:22 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Irony** is prominent, as the very acts intended to bring the people closer to God—their sacrifices—are declared by God to be a source of His displeasure. The people believe they are pleasing God, but He is utterly repulsed. The phrase "fat beasts" also uses **metonymy**, where the quality of the animal (fatness) stands for the perceived quality or value of the offering itself, underscoring that even the best material sacrifice is insufficient without a righteous heart. Furthermore, the strong, declarative statements "I will not accept" and "neither will I regard" utilize **emphatic negation**, leaving no room for doubt about God's absolute rejection. This forceful language serves to shock the audience into recognizing the severity of their spiritual condition and the futility of their empty rituals.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Amos 5:22 stands as a powerful testament to a consistent biblical truth: God values genuine obedience, internal righteousness, and a heart for justice far more than external religious performance. This principle is not unique to Amos but is a foundational theological theme woven throughout the Old Testament prophets and affirmed in the New Testament. It challenges the human tendency to substitute ritual for relationship, and outward show for inward transformation. God's rejection of Israel's sacrifices was not a rejection of the sacrificial system itself (which He instituted), but a rejection of its perversion by a people whose lives contradicted the very covenant they claimed to uphold. True worship, therefore, is holistic, encompassing both sincere devotion and ethical living that reflects God's character of justice and mercy.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1-samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Isaiah 1:11-17](/isaiah/1-11-17 "Isaiah 1:11-17 - God's Weariness with Empty Rituals")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Amos 5:22 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to critically examine the sincerity and integrity of our own spiritual practices. In an age where religious activity can often be superficial or driven by external pressures, this verse calls us back to the heart of true devotion. It challenges us to ask whether our church attendance, financial giving, participation in ministries, or even our personal devotional times are truly rooted in a genuine love for God and a commitment to live out His justice and mercy in the world. If our outward acts of worship are not accompanied by a transformed character, a pursuit of righteousness, and a compassionate concern for others, then they risk becoming as detestable to God as the offerings of ancient Israel. True faith is not merely about performing rituals, but about living a life that consistently reflects the character of Christ in every sphere, demonstrating His love and justice to a broken world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might my own religious practices or spiritual disciplines become "empty rituals" if divorced from a transformed heart and ethical living?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing outward appearance or activity over genuine righteousness and justice?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to ensure my worship is holistic, encompassing both sincere devotion to God and compassionate action towards others?**

### FAQ
**Why did God reject Israel's sacrifices if He commanded them in the Law?**

Answer: God rejected Israel's sacrifices not because the sacrificial system itself was flawed or unwanted, but because the people offering them were living in blatant disobedience and hypocrisy. The Mosaic Law stipulated that sacrifices were to be offered with a contrite heart, in repentance, and as part of a covenant relationship that demanded justice and righteousness. However, Israel had divorced their ritualistic worship from their ethical conduct. They continued to oppress the poor, engage in idolatry, and pervert justice, all while meticulously performing their religious duties. God's rejection, as seen in [Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21-24 "Amos 5:21-24 - God's Rejection of Empty Worship"), was a condemnation of this profound spiritual disconnect. He desired their hearts and their obedience to the covenant's moral demands (e.g., [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires")) more than empty ceremonial compliance. Their offerings had become an insult, a means of trying to appease God while continuing in sin, rather than a genuine expression of devotion and repentance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Amos 5:22, with its stark rejection of empty ritual, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, though divinely ordained, was always a shadow pointing to a greater reality. It could not truly cleanse the conscience or perfect the worshiper ([Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "Hebrews 10:1-4 - The Limitations of Old Covenant Sacrifices")). Jesus, as the perfect Lamb of God, offered Himself as the one, final, and sufficient sacrifice for sin ([Hebrews 9:26-28](/hebrews/9-26-28 "Hebrews 9:26-28 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). His sacrifice was not an empty ritual but an act of perfect obedience and love, fulfilling the righteous demands of God's law. Furthermore, Jesus consistently echoed the prophetic call for internal righteousness over external show, emphasizing that true worship is "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). Through His atoning work, believers are now enabled to offer "spiritual sacrifices" of praise, good deeds, and a transformed life ([Hebrews 13:15-16](/hebrews/13-15-16 "Hebrews 13:15-16 - Sacrifices Pleasing to God"); [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice")), which are truly acceptable to God because they are offered through faith in Him and empowered by His Spirit, reflecting the very righteousness He embodies.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Micah 6:6

¶ Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, [and] bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?

Micah 6:7

Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, [or] with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn [for] my transgression, the fruit of my body [for] the sin of my soul?

Amos 4:4

Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, [and] your tithes after three years:

Amos 4:5

And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim [and] publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

Isaiah 66:3

He that killeth an ox [is as if] he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, [as if] he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, [as if he offered] swine's blood; he that burneth incense, [as if] he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

Leviticus 7:12

If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.

Leviticus 7:15

And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning.