The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
Parallel translations
- KJV The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
- BSB The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!
- NKJV The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
- NASB The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent!
- NLT The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable, especially when offered with evil intent. It matters because God rejects worship from an unrepentant, scheming heart.
Overview
Religious offerings cannot please God when the worshiper persists in wickedness, all the more when the offering masks evil motives (Proverbs 15:8; Isaiah 1:11-15). God looks at the heart, not mere ritual. True worship requires a contrite, sincere heart cleansed by grace (Psalm 51:16-17).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Isa 66:3He who kills an ox is as he who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog’s neck; he who offers an offering, as he who offers pig’s blood; he who burns frankincense, as he who blesses an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations:
- Matt 23:13“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and as a pretense you make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.
- Prov 15:8The sacrifice made by the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
- Jer 6:20To what purpose comes there to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing to me.”
- 1 Sam 15:21–23But the people took of the plunder, sheep and cattle, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice to Yahweh your God in Gilgal.”
- Isa 1:11–16“What are the multitude of your sacrifices to me?”, says Yahweh. “I have had enough of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed animals. I don’t delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of male goats.
- Amos 5:21–22I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can’t stand your solemn assemblies.
- Jer 7:11–12Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” says Yahweh.
- Prov 28:9He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
- 1 Sam 13:12–13therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down on me to Gilgal, and I haven’t entreated the favor of Yahweh.’ I forced myself therefore, and offered the burnt offering.”
- Ps 50:8–13I don’t rebuke you for your sacrifices. Your burnt offerings are continually before me.
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 21:27 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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