Psalms 50:13

KJV

Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

KJV (with Strong's)

Will I eat {H398}{H8799)} the flesh {H1320} of bulls {H47}, or drink {H8354}{H8799)} the blood {H1818} of goats {H6260}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

Berean Standard Bible

Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

American Standard Version

Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 50:13 features a profound rhetorical question from God, emphatically challenging the anthropomorphic misconception that He, the Creator and Sustainer of all, requires physical sustenance from the animal sacrifices offered by His people. This verse, situated within a divine court scene, powerfully asserts God's absolute self-sufficiency and His sovereign ownership over all creation, thereby redirecting the focus of worship from mere ritualistic performance to a genuine heart of thanksgiving, obedience, and a true understanding of His transcendent nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 50 is a prophetic psalm, an oracle delivered by God through Asaph, portraying the Almighty as a divine judge convening a cosmic court. The psalm opens with God, "the Mighty One, God the LORD," summoning heaven and earth to witness His judgment upon Israel, declaring His absolute authority and ownership over all things. Prior to verse 13, God establishes His complete independence and self-sufficiency, stating, "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills" ([Psalm 50:10](/psalms/50-10 "Psalm 50:10 - God's Ownership of All Creation")). He further asserts, "If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof" ([Psalm 50:12](/psalms/50-12 "Psalm 50:12 - God's Self-Sufficiency")). This foundational assertion of divine sovereignty directly precedes the rhetorical question of verse 13, setting the stage for God to critique Israel's superficial understanding of sacrifice and to articulate His true desires for worship in subsequent verses, such as offering "thanksgiving" and paying "vows" ([Psalm 50:14](/psalms/50-14 "Psalm 50:14 - Offer Thanksgiving to God")). The verse thus serves as a pivot, moving from God's declaration of ownership to His indictment of Israel's misguided worship practices.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Animal sacrifice was a central and divinely commanded practice in ancient Israelite worship, meticulously outlined in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering")). However, in the broader ancient Near Eastern context, many pagan cultures believed their gods literally consumed the offerings for sustenance or appeasement, often viewing sacrifices as a means to manipulate or obligate their deities. The Israelites, despite their unique covenant with Yahweh, were susceptible to adopting similar anthropomorphic views of God, reducing worship to a transactional exchange. Psalm 50 directly addresses this potential misunderstanding, sharply distinguishing Yahweh from the gods of the nations. The psalm critiques a period when the outward performance of ritual had become detached from inner piety and genuine obedience, a recurring theme in prophetic literature where God consistently calls for a heart of justice and mercy over mere external religious observance, as powerfully articulated in [Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21-24 "Amos 5:21-24 - God Despises Empty Feasts").
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 50:13 is central to several profound theological themes. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **God's absolute sovereignty and self-sufficiency**, asserting that the Creator and Owner of all things is not dependent on human provisions or actions. This truth is foundational to understanding God's character and is echoed throughout Scripture, as seen in [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's"). Secondly, the verse serves as a sharp **critique of superficial worship and ritualism**, exposing the folly of performing religious duties without genuine faith, understanding, or a transformed heart. This prophetic denunciation of empty ritual is a consistent message in the Old Testament, exemplified by [Isaiah 1:11-17](/isaiah/1-11-17 "Isaiah 1:11-17 - God's Displeasure with Empty Rituals"). Finally, by rejecting the notion of physical consumption, the verse sets the stage for a redefinition of **true sacrifice**, emphasizing that God desires thanksgiving, obedience, and a right relationship over the mere material offering, a principle beautifully articulated in [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Eat (Hebrew, _ʼākal'_ H398):** This primitive root verb, typically denoting literal physical consumption, is employed here in a rhetorical question to emphatically deny that God literally partakes of the sacrificial offerings. The very act of posing this question highlights the absurdity of the human misconception that the omnipotent Creator, who sustains all life, would require sustenance from His creation. This denial underscores God's transcendence and His complete independence from human provisions, emphasizing that His nature is not one of need but of infinite abundance.
* **Flesh (Hebrew, _bâsâr'_ H1320):** Refers to the physical meat of the animal, specifically "bulls" (Hebrew, _ʼabbîyr'_ H47). The mention of "flesh" and "blood" (Hebrew, _dâm'_ H1818) directly addresses the material components of the animal sacrifices prescribed in the Mosaic Law. By questioning His consumption of these elements, God clarifies that the spiritual intent, obedience, and heart behind the sacrifice are paramount, not the material substance itself. This word highlights the tangible aspect of the offering that humans might mistakenly believe God consumes.
* **Blood (Hebrew, _dâm'_ H1818):** In ancient Israelite thought, blood represented life itself ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life in the Blood")) and was central to sacrificial rituals as a symbol of life given in atonement or dedication. God's rhetorical denial of drinking blood further emphasizes His absolute self-sufficiency and distinguishes Him from pagan deities who were thought to literally consume the life force of offerings. It reinforces that the spiritual efficacy of the sacrifice derived from God's divine institution and acceptance of the obedient heart, not from His physical intake of the life-giving fluid.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Will I eat the flesh of bulls,"**: This opening clause is a forceful rhetorical question posed by God, designed to challenge and correct a fundamental misunderstanding of His nature. It directly confronts the anthropomorphic and pagan-influenced idea that God, like a human or a pagan deity, would physically consume the meat of sacrificial animals for His nourishment. The question is intended to provoke the hearer to recognize the illogical nature of such a belief, given God's infinite power, self-sufficiency, and ownership over all creation, which He has just asserted in the preceding verses. It underscores the vast chasm between the Creator and His creation.
* **"or drink the blood of goats?"**: This parallel clause powerfully reinforces the first, extending the rhetorical denial to the other primary component of animal sacrifice—the blood. Since blood was considered the life-force and was strictly forbidden for human consumption in Israelite law ([Leviticus 17:10-14](/leviticus/17-10-14 "Leviticus 17:10-14 - Prohibition Against Eating Blood")), God's question about drinking it further highlights the absurdity and even abhorrence of imagining Him partaking in such a manner. Together, these two clauses emphatically reject the idea that God is dependent on or literally sustained by the physical elements of the sacrifices, thereby redirecting the focus from the material offering to the spiritual disposition and genuine obedience of the worshipper.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Rhetorical Question** to convey its profound theological truth. God poses a question that expects a resounding "No" as an answer, thereby powerfully asserting His self-sufficiency and correcting a fundamental misunderstanding of His nature and the true purpose of sacrifice. The use of **Parallelism** ("eat the flesh of bulls" / "drink the blood of goats") creates a balanced and emphatic statement, reinforcing the singular point through two related but distinct images. This structure enhances the verse's impact, memorability, and poetic force. Furthermore, there is an element of **Anthropomorphism** in the very posing of the question (God "eating" or "drinking"), which is then immediately subverted by the rhetorical nature of the question itself. This serves to meet the audience where they are (thinking of God in human terms of need) only to elevate their understanding beyond such limited, earthly conceptions, revealing God's transcendent and independent nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 50:13 is a pivotal statement on the nature of God and true worship, asserting God's absolute transcendence and independence from human provision. It dismantles the misconception, common in ancient pagan religions and subtly present even in Israel, that God is a deity who requires physical sustenance from His creation. Instead, the verse underscores that God's desire is not for the material offering itself, but for the heart behind it – a heart of genuine faith, gratitude, and obedience. This aligns with the broader prophetic message that ritual without righteousness is an abomination to God, emphasizing that true worship is spiritual, relational, and transformative, not merely ceremonial or transactional. God's rejection of physical consumption points to a deeper spiritual reality where He seeks a relationship characterized by truth and integrity.

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

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 50:13 serves as a timeless challenge to examine the authenticity and motivation behind our worship and service to God. In an age where religious activity can often become rote, performance-driven, or even a means to manipulate divine favor, this verse profoundly reminds us that God is not impressed by outward displays or the sheer volume of our offerings if our hearts are distant or our understanding of Him is flawed. It calls us to move beyond a transactional view of faith, where we believe our actions somehow obligate God or earn His blessing, and instead embrace a relational paradigm rooted in His boundless grace and our grateful response. True worship flows from a recognition of God's absolute sovereignty and self-sufficiency, prompting us to offer ourselves—our thanksgiving, our obedience, our very lives—as living sacrifices, knowing that He desires our hearts above all else. This verse invites us to cultivate a deep, personal understanding of who God is, ensuring that our spiritual practices are not empty rituals but genuine expressions of love, devotion, and alignment with the will of the One who owns everything and needs nothing from us, yet graciously invites us into intimate relationship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be treating my spiritual practices (prayer, giving, church attendance) as obligations or attempts to "feed" God, rather than expressions of genuine love and gratitude?**
* **How does understanding God's absolute self-sufficiency and ownership of all creation impact my motivation for worship and service?**
* **What does it mean for me, practically, to offer God "thanksgiving" and "pay my vows" in a way that truly pleases Him, moving beyond mere external ritual to heartfelt devotion?**
* **Am I cultivating a heart that prioritizes genuine obedience and a deep, intimate knowledge of God over religious performance or outward conformity?**

### FAQ

**Why did God command animal sacrifices if He didn't literally "eat" them?**

Answer: God commanded animal sacrifices not because He needed physical sustenance, but for several profound theological and pedagogical reasons. Firstly, they served as a divinely ordained means of atonement for sin, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, as underscored by the principle that "the life of the creature is in the blood" and "it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life" ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life in the Blood")). The shedding of blood symbolized the gravity of sin and the costly nature of redemption. Secondly, sacrifices were a tangible expression of worship, thanksgiving, and dedication, allowing the Israelites to draw near to a holy God. They were a visible sign of the covenant relationship and a means for the worshiper to express repentance, gratitude, or devotion. Thirdly, by instituting His own sacrificial system, God distinguished Israel's worship from the pagan practices of surrounding nations, which often involved literal feeding of idols or appeasing fickle deities. Psalm 50:13 clarifies that while the *act* of sacrifice was commanded, the *misconception* that God literally consumed or needed the offerings was vehemently rejected, emphasizing that the spiritual intent and obedience of the worshiper were always paramount.

**Does this verse imply that all Old Testament sacrifices were meaningless?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that Old Testament sacrifices were meaningless. On the contrary, it clarifies their *true* meaning and purpose. God instituted the sacrificial system as a vital part of the Mosaic Covenant, providing a divinely ordained framework for atonement, worship, and communion with Him. The problem was not with the sacrifices themselves, but with the people's *attitude* and *understanding* of them. When the Israelites performed rituals without genuine faith, repentance, or obedience, the sacrifices became empty and displeasing to God, as lamented in [Isaiah 1:11-17](/isaiah/1-11-17 "Isaiah 1:11-17 - God's Displeasure with Empty Rituals"). Psalm 50:13, along with other prophetic passages like [Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21-24 "Amos 5:21-24 - God Despises Empty Feasts"), corrects the misconception that God was dependent on these physical offerings or that the ritual itself was sufficient without a transformed heart. It emphasizes that God desires "thanksgiving" and "vows" ([Psalm 50:14](/psalms/50-14 "Psalm 50:14 - Offer Thanksgiving to God"))—expressions of a right heart—in conjunction with, or even above, the physical act. The sacrifices were profoundly meaningful when offered in faith and obedience, pointing to a deeper spiritual reality and foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of God's omnipotence and omnipresence?**

Answer: Psalm 50:13 powerfully underscores God's omnipotence and omnipresence by dismantling any notion of His limitation or need. An omnipotent God, possessing all power and being the ultimate source of all existence, clearly does not require sustenance from His creation; He is the very fount of all life and provision. The rhetorical question "Will I eat... or drink...?" highlights the absurdity of attributing such a need to the One who declares, "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills" ([Psalm 50:10](/psalms/50-10 "Psalm 50:10 - God's Ownership of All Creation")). His omnipresence means He is everywhere present, sustaining all things by His word and power, not by consuming physical offerings confined to a specific altar. He is not confined to a temple or dependent on human activity to exist or maintain His power and glory. This verse thus reinforces the biblical truth that God is utterly transcendent, self-sufficient, and infinitely greater than any human or pagan conception of deity, existing independently of and sovereignly over all creation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 50:13, by disavowing God's need for the literal flesh and blood of animals, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, though divinely ordained, was inherently temporary and imperfect, requiring repeated offerings precisely because "it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins" ([Hebrews 10:4](/hebrews/10-4 "Hebrews 10:4 - The Inadequacy of Animal Sacrifices")). This verse in Psalm 50 sets the stage for a greater, spiritual reality, emphasizing that God's true desire was never for the physical act itself, but for a transformed heart and genuine obedience. This divine desire finds its perfect fulfillment in Christ, who, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself as the [perfect and sufficient sacrifice](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice"). His shed blood, unlike that of bulls and goats, truly cleanses from sin and inaugurates a new covenant where worship is no longer about external rituals or what we can give to a needy God, but about offering our lives as "living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")) in response to His ultimate provision. Thus, Psalm 50:13 points forward to a worship centered not on what we give to God out of a mistaken sense of His need, but on what God has graciously provided in Christ, enabling us to approach Him in spirit and truth ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")) and to live lives that reflect the transforming power of His finished work on the cross ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Single Sacrifice")).

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.