Proverbs 21:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

To do {H6213} justice {H6666} and judgment {H4941} is more acceptable {H977} to the LORD {H3068} than sacrifice {H2077}.

Complete Jewish Bible

To do what is right and just is more pleasing to ADONAI than sacrifice.

Berean Standard Bible

To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

American Standard Version

To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 21:3 encapsulates a profound divine preference, asserting that the active pursuit of justice and the upholding of righteous judgment are far more pleasing to the LORD than the mere performance of ritualistic sacrifices. This verse challenges any notion that outward religious acts can substitute for genuine ethical conduct and moral integrity, emphasizing that God values a life lived in accordance with His character and commands over ceremonial observance alone. It underscores a foundational biblical principle that true worship is demonstrated through obedience and the practical application of righteousness in daily life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 21:3 is situated within a larger collection of wisdom sayings in the Book of Proverbs, specifically within the "Solomonic" proverbs (Proverbs 10-22:16). This section is characterized by short, pithy statements that often contrast wisdom with folly, righteousness with wickedness, and true piety with superficial religiosity. The immediate preceding verses in Proverbs 21 discuss themes of divine sovereignty over human actions and the importance of a pure heart, setting the stage for the emphasis on internal disposition and ethical action over external ritual. The verse serves as a concise summary of a principle reiterated throughout the prophetic literature, highlighting God's true desires for His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, sacrifices were a central and divinely ordained component of the Mosaic Law, serving various purposes including atonement for sin, expressions of thanksgiving, and covenant renewal. The Temple cult was the focal point of Israelite worship, and sacrifices were essential for maintaining proper relationship with God. However, alongside this emphasis on ritual, there was a consistent prophetic critique against the danger of ritualism becoming an end in itself, devoid of genuine repentance, justice, or compassion. Prophets like Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, and Micah frequently condemned the hypocrisy of offering sacrifices while neglecting the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Proverbs 21:3 resonates deeply with this prophetic tradition, reflecting a cultural tension between outward religious performance and inward moral transformation.
* **Key Themes:** This proverb profoundly contributes to several key themes found throughout the wisdom literature and the broader Old Testament. It highlights the theme of **True Worship vs. Ritualism**, asserting that God's primary desire is not for the performance of religious rites in isolation, but for a life lived in accordance with His moral standards. This sentiment is powerfully echoed in [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better than Sacrifice"), where Samuel declares, "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams." The verse also underscores the **Nature of Justice and Judgment**, presenting them as foundational elements of acceptable conduct before God. These terms encompass not only legal rectitude but also social equity and moral uprightness. Furthermore, it speaks to **Divine Preference**, clearly articulating God's priorities and challenging the human tendency to prioritize external acts over internal character and ethical action, a theme also found in [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **justice (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_):** From H6666, meaning "rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity); justice, moderately, right(-eous) (act, -ly, -ness)." In this context, _tsedaqah_ refers to righteousness, moral uprightness, and ethical conduct that aligns with God's character and law. It implies a state of being right with God and acting rightly towards others.
* **judgment (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** From H4941, meaning "properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree... abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege... or even a style." _Mishpat_ refers to the active administration of justice, fairness, and equity, particularly in legal and social contexts. It encompasses the act of judging, the execution of justice, and the upholding of rightful order, especially for the vulnerable.
* **sacrifice (Hebrew, _zebach'_):** From H2077, meaning "properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act); offer(-ing), sacrifice." _Zebach_ refers specifically to animal sacrifices offered in the Temple, a central ritual in Israelite worship. The contrast here is not against sacrifice itself, which was commanded by God, but against the idea that it could be a substitute for or superior to genuine righteousness and justice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To do justice and judgment":** This phrase emphasizes active, practical righteousness. "To do" (H6213, _ʻâsâh_) signifies carrying out, performing, or making. It's not merely about knowing what is right, but about actively implementing it in one's life and society. "Justice" (_tsedaqah_) refers to moral rectitude and righteousness in character, while "judgment" (_mishpat_) refers to the equitable administration of law and fairness in social dealings. Together, they represent a holistic commitment to ethical living and upholding God's standards in all spheres.
* **"[is] more acceptable to the LORD":** This clause reveals God's divine preference and priority. The term "acceptable" (H977, _bâchar_) means to choose, select, or prefer. It indicates that God finds greater pleasure and favor in the active demonstration of righteousness and justice than in the mere performance of religious rituals. This is a qualitative statement, not a dismissal of sacrifice, but an elevation of ethical living above ritual. "The LORD" (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_) refers to the covenant God of Israel, whose character is inherently just and righteous.
* **"than sacrifice":** This final phrase provides the direct contrast. "Sacrifice" (_zebach_) represents the ceremonial acts of worship prescribed by the Mosaic Law. The proverb is not negating the value or necessity of sacrifices, which were divinely instituted. Rather, it is asserting that if a choice must be made, or if the heart behind the ritual is lacking, then the ethical and moral dimensions of faith—justice and judgment—hold a higher place in God's estimation. It critiques empty ritualism and elevates the importance of a life that reflects God's own character.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 21:3 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Contrast**, where "justice and judgment" are directly juxtaposed with "sacrifice." This highlights the core message that God prioritizes ethical conduct over mere ritual, creating a tension that forces the reader to consider the true nature of acceptable worship. The use of **Hyperbole** or **Comparative Language** ("more acceptable... than") emphasizes the intensity of God's preference, not necessarily to diminish the value of sacrifice entirely, but to underscore the paramount importance of righteousness. The proverb also uses **Metonymy**, where "sacrifice" stands in for all outward religious observances, representing the broader category of ritualistic worship. This allows the proverb to make a sweeping statement about the heart of true devotion. Finally, the concise, declarative nature of the verse is characteristic of **Aphorism**, a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth, making it memorable and impactful for instruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 21:3 articulates a profound theological truth central to biblical revelation: God's ultimate desire is for a people whose lives reflect His own character of justice, righteousness, and mercy, rather than a mere adherence to religious forms. This principle is not unique to Proverbs but is a consistent theme woven throughout the Old Testament prophets and affirmed in the New Testament. It challenges the human tendency to compartmentalize faith, separating ritual from ethics, and insists that genuine worship must manifest in righteous living and social responsibility. The verse underscores that God's pleasure is found in the transformation of the heart and the demonstration of ethical action, which are the true fruit of a covenant relationship with Him.

* [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 - Mercy, Not Sacrifice")
* [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 21:3 serves as a timeless and convicting reminder that the essence of faith lies not in outward religious performance but in the inward transformation that leads to ethical action. For believers today, this means that our worship, our church attendance, our giving, and our participation in rituals, while important, are ultimately secondary to how we live our lives in the world. God is not impressed by empty religiosity; He seeks a heart that genuinely loves justice, actively pursues righteousness, and demonstrates compassion and fairness in all dealings. This proverb calls us to examine our priorities: are we more concerned with appearing religious or with truly embodying the character of God in our homes, workplaces, communities, and public square? Authentic faith demands that we advocate for the oppressed, stand for truth, practice integrity, and ensure equity, understanding that these actions are the most pleasing sacrifices we can offer to the LORD.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be prioritizing religious ritual over the active pursuit of justice and righteousness?**
* **How can I more intentionally "do justice and judgment" in my daily interactions, my professional life, and my community?**
* **What does it mean for my worship to be "acceptable to the LORD" in light of this proverb?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that sacrifices (or modern religious rituals) are bad or unnecessary?**

Answer: No, Proverbs 21:3 does not negate the value or necessity of sacrifices, which were divinely commanded under the Old Covenant. Similarly, it doesn't mean that modern religious practices like church attendance, communion, or prayer are unnecessary. Instead, the proverb highlights a divine priority: God values the heart and action behind the ritual more than the ritual itself. It's a critique of empty ritualism—performing religious acts without a corresponding commitment to justice, righteousness, and obedience. The verse teaches that if the choice is between mere external observance and genuine ethical living, the latter is "more acceptable" to the LORD. As [Matthew 23:23](/matthew/23-23 "Matthew 23:23 - The Weightier Matters of the Law") reminds us, while tithing mint and dill is good, we must not neglect "the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 21:3 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied justice and judgment while simultaneously being the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus consistently demonstrated that the heart of God's law was love, mercy, and righteousness, often critiquing the religious leaders of His day for their outward piety that neglected "the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness" ([Matthew 23:23](/matthew/23-23 "Matthew 23:23 - The Weightier Matters of the Law")). He lived a life of perfect justice, always doing what was right and upholding God's standards, even to the point of death. His very life was an active demonstration of _tsedaqah_ (righteousness) and _mishpat_ (justice). Furthermore, Christ became the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering Himself as the once-for-all, perfect sacrifice that rendered all previous animal sacrifices obsolete ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Thus, in Christ, we see the perfect union of ultimate sacrifice with perfect justice and judgment, demonstrating that true atonement is inextricably linked to righteousness. Through His Spirit, believers are empowered to "do justice and judgment" as an overflow of their transformed hearts, making their lives a "living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - A Living Sacrifice")), which is their true spiritual worship.

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.