Hosea 6:6

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

For I desired {H2654} mercy {H2617}, and not sacrifice {H2077}; and the knowledge {H1847} of God {H430} more than burnt offerings {H5930}.

For what I desire is mercy, not sacrifices, knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

For I desire goodness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.

Hosea 6:6 is a pivotal verse in the Old Testament, succinctly capturing God's heart for a genuine relationship with His people over mere religious observance. This declaration from the Lord challenged the superficial worship prevalent in ancient Israel.

Context

The prophet Hosea ministered to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during a period marked by spiritual decline, idolatry, and social injustice. Despite their outward religious practices, including performing sacrifices and burnt offerings at the temple, the people's hearts were far from God. They lacked true repentance, faithfulness, and compassion for one another, leading to a breakdown of their covenant relationship with the Lord. Hosea 6:6 highlights God's frustration with their hypocrisy, asserting that He values sincere devotion and righteous living more than empty rituals. This message serves as a stark reminder that religious acts without a transformed heart are meaningless to God.

Key Themes

  • God's Preference for Relationship over Ritual: The verse directly states God's desire for "mercy" and "knowledge of God" above traditional "sacrifice" and "burnt offerings." This underscores that true worship is not about outward performance but about inward devotion and a genuine connection with the divine.
  • The Nature of True Piety: God values compassion, steadfast love, and an intimate understanding of His character and will. These qualities manifest in how people treat God and each other, reflecting a heart transformed by His grace.
  • Critique of Superficial Worship: Hosea 6:6 serves as a powerful condemnation of religious hypocrisy, where people engage in external rites while neglecting the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness (as Jesus later emphasized in Matthew 23:23).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms illuminate the depth of God's desire:

  • "Mercy" (Hebrew: chesed or hesed): This crucial term is often translated as "lovingkindness," "steadfast love," or "covenant loyalty." It signifies a deep, relational commitment and active compassion, particularly within the context of a covenant relationship. It's not just pity, but a faithful, unwavering love and kindness shown to others, reflecting God's own character.
  • "Knowledge of God" (Hebrew: da'at Elohim): This is more than mere intellectual assent or factual information about God. It implies an intimate, experiential, and personal knowing—a relationship characterized by obedience, trust, and a deep understanding of God's character and will. This type of knowledge leads to righteous living and a transformed life.

Significance and Application

Hosea 6:6 holds profound significance, notably being quoted by Jesus Christ Himself in the New Testament. He cited this verse twice in response to the Pharisees, emphasizing that God desires compassion and true understanding over strict adherence to ritualistic law:

This verse continues to challenge believers today to examine the genuineness of their faith. Are we prioritizing outward religious activities—church attendance, giving, service—while neglecting the inner transformation of the heart? God still desires His people to live out His chesed in their relationships, showing compassion and justice to others. He calls for an intimate "knowledge of God" that leads to obedience and a life reflecting His character, rather than mere adherence to religious forms. True worship is expressed not just in our sanctuaries but in our daily lives, through love, humility, and seeking justice for the vulnerable, echoing the call in Micah 6:8.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 9:13

    But go ye and learn what [that] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

  • 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.

  • Proverbs 21:3

    ¶ To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

  • 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.

  • Amos 5:21

    ¶ I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.

  • 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.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:1

    ¶ Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
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