Proverbs 21:27
Proverbs 21:27 in Multiple Translations
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!
The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!
The offering of evil-doers is disgusting: how much more when they give it with an evil purpose!
The sacrifices given by the wicked are obnoxious, worse still when they're offered with evil motives.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more when he bringeth it with a wicked minde?
The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.
Yahweh detests the sacrifices that wicked people offer to him; but he detests it even more when they think that they will escape being punished for their evil deeds because of the sacrifices that they bring.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 21:27
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 21:27 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
זֶ֣בַח
רְ֭שָׁעִים
תּוֹעֵבָ֑ה
אַ֝֗ף
כִּֽי
בְ/זִמָּ֥ה
יְבִיאֶֽ/נּוּ
זֶ֣בַח
zebach
H2077
sacrifice
N-ms
רְ֭שָׁעִים
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
תּוֹעֵבָ֑ה
tôwʻêbah
H8441
abomination
N-fs
אַ֝֗ף
ʼaph
H637
also
DirObjM
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
בְ/זִמָּ֥ה
zimmâh
H2154
wickedness
Prep | N-fs
יְבִיאֶֽ/נּוּ
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 21:27
זֶ֣בַח
zebach
H2077
"sacrifice"
N-ms
A sacrifice refers to the act of offering an animal's flesh to God, such as in the sacrifices of righteousness or the Passover. This term encompasses various types of sacrifices, including thank offerings and covenant sacrifices. The KJV translates it as 'offer' or 'sacrifice'.
Definition: 1) sacrifice 1a) sacrifices of righteousness 1b) sacrifices of strife 1c) sacrifices to dead things 1d) the covenant sacrifice 1e) the passover 1f) annual sacrifice 1g) thank offering
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: offer(-ing), sacrifice. See also: Genesis 31:54; 1 Samuel 2:19; Psalms 4:6.
רְ֭שָׁעִים
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
תּוֹעֵבָ֑ה
tôwʻêbah
H8441
"abomination"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for abomination refers to something disgusting, like idolatry or unclean food, and is often used to describe wickedness in the Bible.
Definition: 1) a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable 1a) in ritual sense (of unclean food, idols, mixed marriages) 1b) in ethical sense (of wickedness etc)
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: abominable (custom, thing), abomination. See also: Genesis 43:32; Proverbs 26:25; Psalms 88:9.
אַ֝֗ף
ʼaph
H637
"also"
DirObjM
The Hebrew word for 'also' or 'addition', used to connect ideas or show a relationship between them, as seen in Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean 'though' or 'yet', indicating a contrast. This word is often used to add emphasis or provide more information.
Definition: conj (denoting addition, esp of something greater) 1) also, yea, though, so much the more adv 2) furthermore, indeed Aramaic equivalent: aph (אַף "also" H0638)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: also, [phrase] although, and (furthermore, yet), but, even, [phrase] how much less (more, rather than), moreover, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:1; Psalms 16:6; Psalms 16:7.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
בְ/זִמָּ֥ה
zimmâh
H2154
"wickedness"
Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to a wicked or evil plan, and can include things like adultery, incest, and idolatry. It is used to describe the bad intentions or schemes of people in the Bible.
Definition: 1) plan, device, wickedness, evil plan, mischievous purpose 1a) plan, purpose 1b) evil device, wickedness 1c) not chaste, incest, licentiousness, adultery, idolatry, harlotry
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: heinous crime, lewd(-ly, -ness), mischief, purpose, thought, wicked (device, mind, -ness). See also: Leviticus 18:17; Ezekiel 16:27; Psalms 26:10.
יְבִיאֶֽ/נּוּ
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
Study Notes — Proverbs 21:27
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 21:27 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 21:27
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 21:27
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 21:27
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 21:27
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 21:27
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 21:27
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 21:27
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 21:27
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 21:27
- Sermons on Proverbs 21:27
Context — The King’s Heart
25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!
28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever. 29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 66:3 | Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations. |
| 2 | Proverbs 15:8 | The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 6:20 | What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please Me.” |
| 4 | Matthew 23:13 | Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. |
| 5 | Amos 5:21–22 | “I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. |
| 6 | Isaiah 1:11–16 | “What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you— this trampling of My courts? Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me— your New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations. I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! |
| 7 | Jeremiah 7:11–12 | Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Yes, I too have seen it, declares the LORD. But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. |
| 8 | Proverbs 28:9 | Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable. |
| 9 | Psalms 50:8–13 | I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices, and your burnt offerings are ever before Me. I have no need for a bull from your stall or goats from your pens, for every beast of the forest is Mine— the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is Mine, and the fullness thereof. Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? |
| 10 | 1 Samuel 15:21–23 | The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of the things devoted to destruction, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.” |
Proverbs 21:27 Summary
[This verse teaches us that when we try to worship or give to God with wrong motives or a bad heart, it's actually disgusting to Him. This is like when someone gives a gift to another person, but only to get something in return. God wants us to come to Him with a sincere and pure heart, like it says in Psalms 51:17. He wants our worship to be real and from the heart, not just something we do to look good or get something from Him, as Jesus taught in Matthew 15:8-9.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for a sacrifice to be 'detestable' to God?
In Proverbs 21:27, a detestable sacrifice refers to an offering given with wrong motives or a wicked heart, as seen in Isaiah 1:11-17, where God rejects the sacrifices of the Israelites due to their sinful lives.
Can a wicked person's sacrifice ever be acceptable to God?
According to Proverbs 21:27, the answer is no, because a sacrifice brought with ill intent is especially detestable to God, highlighting the importance of a pure heart and right motives in worship, as taught in Psalms 51:17.
How does this verse relate to the concept of worship in the Bible?
This verse emphasizes that true worship involves not just outward actions, but also a sincere and pure heart, as seen in John 4:24, where Jesus teaches that God seeks those who worship Him in spirit and truth.
What is the significance of 'ill intent' in this verse?
The phrase 'ill intent' suggests that the wicked person's sacrifice is not just unacceptable, but also deliberately done with malicious or selfish purposes, highlighting the importance of examining our motives and hearts before approaching God, as encouraged in Hebrews 4:12-13.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I may be bringing 'sacrifices' to God with wrong motives or a wicked heart, and how can I repent and change?
- How can I cultivate a pure heart and right motives in my worship, so that my 'sacrifices' are acceptable to God?
- In what ways do I prioritize outward religious actions over a sincere and pure heart, and how can I shift my focus to please God?
- What does it mean for me to 'worship in spirit and truth', and how can I apply this principle to my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 21:27
The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination,.... That is, to the Lord, as in Proverbs 15:8; and as it is here added in the Septuagint and Arabic versions; how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 21:27
The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 21:27
The sacrifice; all the most glorious and costly services which they offer to God. Is abomination; God rejects and abhors them, because they are offered by such men and in such manner as God justly abhors. When; or, because, as all the ancient translators render it, the Hebrew particle aph being expletive; or, even because; so the following clause gives the reason of the former proposition. With a wicked mind; with a hypocritical and impenitent heart, or with a bad design, not in obedience to God’ s command, and with respect to his honour and service; but either to cover, or countenance, or promote some wicked intention or course, which notwithstanding all his professions of religion he is resolved to prosecute.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 21:27
Proverbs 21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?Ver. 27. The sacrifice of the wicked, &c.] How much more when he bringeth it, &c.] As Balak and Balaam did. As those that present ex rapine holocaustum, a sacrifice of what they have got by rapine and robbery; and as those likewise that ask good things at God’ s hand, that they may "consume them upon their lusts." Let the wicked bring his sacrifice with never so good an intention, he is an abomination; but if with an evil mind, his dissembled sanctity is double iniquity, as if a man think by observing the Sabbath to take out a license to walk licentiously all the week long; or by praying in a morning to get a dispensation to do evil all day after. I have read of one that would haunt the taverns, theatres, and whore houses at London all day; but he durst not go forth without private prayer in the morning, and then would say at his departure, Now devil do thy worst. The Circassians are said to divide their life between rapine and repentance. The Papists, many of them, make account of confessing, as drunkards do of vomiting. When we have sinned, say they, we must confess, and when we have confessed, we must sin again, that we may also confess again, and make work for new indulgences and jubilees. Mr Shepherd’ s Sincere Convert, p. 232. Breerwood, Enquire. Sandys’ s Relat. of West.
Religion.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 21:27
(27) How much more when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?—Plotting at the same time future wickedness, or thinking to make God, by the sacrifice, overlook his sin, and so become, as it were, his confederate.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 21:27
Verse 27. When he bringeth it with a wicked mind?] If such a person even bring the sacrifices and offerings which God requires, they are an abomination to him, because the man is wicked; and if such offerings be imperfect in themselves, or of goods ill-gotten, or offered by constraint of custom, &c., they are doubly abominable.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 21:27
27. with a wicked mind] In any case the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, even when he brings it in a mere formal spirit, because of the moral character of the offerer (Proverbs 15:8; Isaiah 1:13-15). But when he bringeth it with a wicked mind, or intent, to purchase immunity by it from the punishment of sin (to atone for wickedness, R.V. marg.) it is much more so. The sacrifice of Cain was an abomination, because he was wicked (Genesis 4:5; 1 John 3:12). How much more hateful would it have been, if he had brought it with the wicked intention of atoning by it for the murder of his brother? Comp. Sir 34:18-20.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 21:27
A lower depth even than Proverbs 15:8. The wicked man may connect his devotion with his guilt, offer his sacrifice and vow his vow (as men have done under paganism or corrupted Christianity) for
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 21:27
27. The sacrifice of the wicked — The ceremonial worship in general, (compare Proverbs 15:8,) which is performed without any purpose to amend their lives. With a wicked mind — When he has some evil design in the very act itself.
Sermons on Proverbs 21:27
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Through the Bible (Genesis - Part 1) by Zac Poonen | This sermon delves into the stories of Enoch and Noah from Genesis, highlighting the importance of walking with God amidst a world of sin and judgment. It emphasizes the significan |
|
To What Purpose by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living a life focused on Christ rather than material possessions. He references the teachings of John Wesley, who advocated |
|
Spiritual Religion by Ian Murray | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of handling the word of God with sincerity and genuine love for scripture. He warns that simply preaching orthodox teachings d |
|
The Portion of the Wicked by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the justice of God in allotting indignation, wrath, tribulation, and anguish to wicked men, emphasizing that their sinful nature and refusal to repe |
|
The Fool's Bauble, the Fool's Fiddle by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks warns against the folly of indulging in sin, describing it as the 'fool's bauble' and 'fool's fiddle.' He emphasizes that fools take delight in wickedness, treating s |
|
|
Grave Warnings! by David Daniel | David Daniel emphasizes the sacredness of entering the house of the Lord, warning against the dangers of familiarity that can lead to contempt. He urges believers to approach worsh |
|
The Giver's Hand by John Henry Jowett | John Henry Jowett emphasizes the importance of offering gifts to the Lord with clean hands, highlighting that God looks at the heart of the giver rather than the gift itself. He st |