Jeremiah 7:22

KJV

For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:

KJV (with Strong's)

For I spake {H1696} not unto your fathers {H1}, nor commanded {H6680} them in the day {H3117} that I brought them out {H3318} of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, concerning {H1697} burnt offerings {H5930} or sacrifices {H2077}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For I didn't speak to your ancestors or give them orders concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices when I brought them out of the land of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible

For when I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt, I did not merely command them about burnt offerings and sacrifices,

American Standard Version

For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt-offerings or sacrifices:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 7:22 stands as a profound prophetic declaration, challenging the superficial religiosity of Judah by asserting that God's foundational covenant with Israel, established at their exodus from Egypt, was not primarily concerned with ritualistic burnt offerings and sacrifices. Instead, the divine emphasis was always on a deeper obedience and a genuine, heartfelt relationship, exposing the people's misguided reliance on outward ceremonies while neglecting the core principles of justice, righteousness, and true devotion to the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 7:22 is a pivotal statement within Jeremiah's renowned "Temple Sermon" (Jeremiah 7:1-15), delivered at the gate of the Jerusalem temple. This sermon is a scathing indictment against the people of Judah, who had come to believe that their mere presence at the temple and performance of rituals would guarantee their safety and God's protection, even as they engaged in widespread moral corruption, idolatry, and social injustice. The verses immediately preceding (Jeremiah 7:8-11) vividly describe their hypocrisy: stealing, murdering, committing adultery, swearing falsely, burning incense to Baal, and following other gods, yet still claiming, "We are safe!" (Jeremiah 7:10). Verse 22 serves as a theological cornerstone, clarifying God's true priorities and setting the stage for the explicit command in Jeremiah 7:23, which emphasizes obedience as the true essence of the covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Jeremiah was delivered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings leading up to the Babylonian exile (late 7th to early 6th centuries BCE). The nation was in spiritual decline, marked by syncretism—the blending of Yahweh worship with pagan practices—and a false sense of security derived from the physical presence of the Temple in Jerusalem. There was a prevalent belief that God would never allow His dwelling place to be destroyed, regardless of the people's moral state. This cultural context saw the sacrificial system, originally intended as a means of atonement and fellowship, degenerating into a mechanistic ritual, devoid of genuine repentance or faith. Jeremiah's message directly confronts this perversion, reminding them of the original intent of their covenant with the God who delivered them from [the land of Egypt](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Exodus from Egypt").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. It underscores the theme of **Obedience Over Ritual**, asserting that God's primary demand for His people has always been a life of faithful adherence to His commands, rather than mere ceremonial observance. This challenges the prevailing misunderstanding of the covenant, where the people had inverted God's priorities, focusing on external acts while neglecting internal transformation and ethical living. It highlights the theme of **True Worship**, defining it not by the quantity of sacrifices but by the quality of one's relationship with God, characterized by hearing and obeying His voice. This prophetic critique of empty ritualism echoes earlier divine pronouncements, such as God's desire for mercy rather than sacrifice found in [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice"), and the declaration that [obedience is better than sacrifice](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice") in the time of Samuel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **spake (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** From H1696, a primitive root meaning "to arrange," but figuratively "to speak." It encompasses declaring, commanding, communing, and uttering. In this context, it refers to God's direct communication and instruction to the Israelites. The negation "spake not" highlights the *priority* of what was spoken, rather than a complete absence of instruction regarding sacrifices.
* **commanded (Hebrew, _tsâvâh'_):** From H6680, an intensive primitive root meaning "to constitute, enjoin." It signifies giving a charge, issuing a command, or setting in order. This word reinforces the authoritative nature of God's directives. The parallel negation with "spake" emphasizes that the initial, foundational commands given at Sinai were not primarily about ritual sacrifices.
* **burnt offerings (Hebrew, _ʻôlâh'_):** From H5930, meaning "a step or stairs (as ascending)," but usually referring to a holocaust, "as going up in smoke." This was a sacrifice entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and atonement. Its mention here highlights a specific, prominent type of ritual sacrifice that the people had come to prioritize incorrectly.
* **sacrifices (Hebrew, _zebach'_):** From H2077, meaning "a slaughter," specifically the flesh of an animal offered, or the act of sacrificing. This is a broader term encompassing various types of offerings, including peace offerings, sin offerings, etc. Its inclusion alongside "burnt offerings" covers the full scope of the ritual system, emphasizing that the *entire* system was not the initial, primary focus of God's covenant demands.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them":** This phrase employs a rhetorical negation, not to deny that God ever spoke about or commanded sacrifices (which He clearly did later in the Mosaic Law), but to emphasize that these rituals were not the *initial* or *primary* focus of His covenant relationship with Israel. The thrust is on the *priority* of God's commands at the inception of the covenant.
* **"in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt":** This specifies the critical moment of covenant formation – the Exodus and the subsequent giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. It points to the foundational period when God established His relationship with Israel as His chosen people, highlighting that the core demands at that time were not ceremonial but ethical and relational.
* **"concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices":** This explicitly names the ritual practices that had become central to the people's misguided worship. By stating that these were not the initial commands, God underscores that the essence of the covenant was never about external rites but about internal obedience and a transformed heart, which were the true prerequisites for a flourishing relationship with Him.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 7:22 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, where God states that He "spake not... nor commanded them... concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices." This is not a literal denial, as the Mosaic Law clearly instituted sacrifices (e.g., [Leviticus 1-7](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1-7 - Laws of Offerings")). Rather, it is an emphatic overstatement designed to underscore the *relative unimportance* or *secondary nature* of ritual compared to the *absolute priority* of obedience and covenant faithfulness. This hyperbole creates a stark **Antithesis** (though implied) between the people's misplaced focus on external ritual and God's true desire for internal, ethical obedience. The passage also functions as a **Rhetorical Question** (implied), challenging the people's assumptions about worship and prompting them to reconsider what God truly desires.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 7:22 delivers a timeless theological truth: God's ultimate desire for His people is not mere ritualistic performance but genuine obedience flowing from a heart devoted to Him. This verse clarifies that while the sacrificial system was divinely ordained as a means of atonement and maintaining fellowship, it was always secondary to the foundational covenant demand for ethical living, justice, and a personal relationship with God. The people of Judah had inverted this divine priority, believing that adherence to ceremony could compensate for a lack of moral integrity, thus transforming a means of grace into a superstitious charm. This prophetic critique serves as a constant reminder that true worship is holistic, encompassing both outward expressions and inward transformation, with the latter always taking precedence.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice")
* [Psalm 51:16-17](/psalms/51-16 "Psalm 51:16-17 - The Sacrifice God Desires")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 7:22 speaks powerfully to the contemporary believer, urging us to scrutinize the authenticity and priorities of our faith. In an age where religious activity can often overshadow genuine devotion, this verse challenges us to ask whether our spiritual practices—church attendance, giving, service, prayer—are truly expressions of a heart submitted to God's will, or if they have become ends in themselves, perhaps even a means to assuage guilt or earn favor. God's primary desire remains a covenant relationship built on love, trust, and radical obedience to His voice, as articulated in His Word. True worship is not confined to sacred spaces or specific rituals but permeates every aspect of our daily lives, manifesting in how we treat others, pursue justice, and live out the ethical demands of the Gospel. It calls us to move beyond superficial religiosity to a vibrant, authentic faith that prioritizes a living relationship with the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Am I prioritizing outward religious practices over a genuine, obedient relationship with God in my daily life?**
* **How does my understanding of "worship" align with God's emphasis on obedience and a transformed heart?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be relying on religious ritual instead of actively listening to and obeying God's voice?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more authentic, heart-centered obedience in my faith journey?**

### FAQ
**Does Jeremiah 7:22 mean God never commanded sacrifices in the Old Testament?**

Answer: No, Jeremiah 7:22 does not mean that God never commanded sacrifices. The Mosaic Law, given after the Exodus, clearly instituted a detailed system of sacrifices and offerings (e.g., [Leviticus 1-7](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1-7 - Laws of Offerings")). The phrase "I spake not... nor commanded them... concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices" is a rhetorical device, specifically **hyperbole**, used to emphasize a critical point. God is not literally denying the institution of sacrifices. Instead, He is highlighting that when He first established His covenant with Israel at Sinai, the *primary* and *foundational* command was for obedience to His voice and adherence to His moral and ethical laws (e.g., [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5-6 - God's Covenant with Israel")). The sacrificial system was given later as a means to deal with sin and maintain fellowship within that covenant, but it was always secondary to the people's fundamental commitment to obey God's voice and walk in His ways. Jeremiah's point is that the people had reversed God's priorities, focusing on the rituals while neglecting the more weighty matters of justice, righteousness, and true devotion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 7:22 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, which the people of Jeremiah's day so gravely misunderstood, was always a temporary and incomplete shadow pointing to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. The prophet's emphasis on obedience over ritual foreshadows Jesus' own life of perfect obedience to the Father, even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Obedience to Death")). Jesus Himself taught that true worship is not about location or ritual, but about spirit and truth ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "Worship in Spirit and Truth")), echoing Jeremiah's critique of externalism. The New Testament affirms that the blood of bulls and goats could never truly take away sins ([Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Sacrifices Cannot Take Away Sins")), but Jesus' single offering perfectly accomplished what the Old Covenant sacrifices could only foreshadow ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Thus, the New Covenant, prophesied by Jeremiah himself as one where God would write His law on hearts ([Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "The New Covenant")), fully embodies the principle that a transformed heart and obedient life are infinitely more valuable than any outward ritual, because Christ's perfect sacrifice has made true access and relationship with God possible for all who believe.

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

Hosea 6:6

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

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.

Psalms 51:17

The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

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.

Psalms 40:6

¶ Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

Psalms 50:8

I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, [to have been] continually before me.