Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.

AMOS 5:22KJV
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Amos 5:22 (KJV)

What does Amos 5:22 mean?

Amos 5:22 says that even if the people bring burnt offerings, grain offerings, and peace offerings to God, He will not accept or pay attention to them. The verse makes clear that religious rituals alone are not pleasing to God if the people's hearts and actions are not right.

The prophet Amos is speaking to the people of Israel on behalf of God. At this time, Israel was still practicing the outward forms of worship, but they were ignoring justice and righteousness in their daily lives. This verse emphasizes that God is not interested in empty rituals; He wants genuine devotion and ethical living.

The Hebrew behind Amos 5:22

  • "Offer" (עָלָה, `alah): This word means to bring up or present, often used for bringing sacrifices. The use here underlines that the people are actively bringing offerings, but their actions alone are not enough.
  • "Burnt offerings" (עֹלָה, `olah): These were sacrifices completely burned on the altar, symbolizing total dedication. The verse says God will not accept even these, showing that total outward dedication is meaningless without true faithfulness.
  • "Meat offerings" (מִנְחָה, minchah): This refers to grain offerings, not meat as in animal flesh. It highlights that both animal and non-animal offerings are being rejected.
  • "Accept" (רָצָה, ratsah): This word means to be pleased with or to accept favorably. God says He will not be pleased with these offerings, stressing that His approval depends on more than ritual.
  • "Regard" (נָבַט, nabat): This means to look at or pay attention to. God will not even look at the peace offerings, showing complete disregard for their worship when it lacks sincerity.
  • "Peace offerings" (שֶׁלֶם, shelem): These were shared meals symbolizing fellowship with God. The rejection of these offerings shows that broken relationships with others also break fellowship with God.
  • "Beasts" (מְרִיא, meri’): This word refers to well-fed or fattened animals, the best of the flock. Even the finest offerings are not enough to win God's favor without justice and righteousness.

Why Amos 5:22 matters

  • Amos 5:22 clears up the misunderstanding that God is satisfied with religious ceremonies alone, regardless of how impressive or costly they are.
  • The verse highlights that God values justice, mercy, and right living above ritual, setting the stage for the famous call in Amos 5:24 to "let justice roll down like waters."
  • This verse connects to the wider message of the prophets, who often warned that worship without ethical living is empty in God's eyes.

Where else these words appear

“beasts” Hebrew H4806 · used in 8 verses

  • 2 Samuel 6:13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
  • 1 Kings 1:19 And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called.
  • 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.

“accept” Hebrew H7521 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 33:10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
  • 2 Chronicles 36:21 To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.
  • Psalms 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

“regard” Hebrew H5027 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
  • Psalms 13:3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
  • Isaiah 22:11 Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.

“offerings” Hebrew H8002 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
  • Leviticus 9:22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.
  • Joshua 22:27 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.