Amos 5:21
I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 6
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Leviticus 26:31And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours.Isaiah 66:3He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.Proverbs 28:9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.Jeremiah 6:20To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.Proverbs 15:8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.Hosea 8:13They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.Proverbs 21:27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?Matthew 23:13But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.Genesis 8:21And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
Historical Context
Israel maintained elaborate worship at Bethel and Dan—sacrifices, festivals, music, priestly ritual. But this worship coexisted with oppression, bribery, and immorality. God rejected the entire system, demanding instead social justice. This prophetic critique runs through Scripture (1 Samuel 15:22, Psalm 50:7-15, Isaiah 1:11-17, Hosea 6:6, Micah 6:6-8, Matthew 9:13, 23:23). Jesus emphasized mercy over sacrifice, love over ritual. The Reformed tradition affirms that genuine faith necessarily produces good works (James 2:14-26)—not as means of salvation but as evidence and fruit.
Questions for Reflection
- How does church attendance and worship participation coexist with indifference to injustice today?
- What does it mean that God hates worship that isn't accompanied by righteous living?
- How do we balance proper worship with active pursuit of justice and mercy?
Analysis & Commentary
God's shocking rejection of worship: "I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies." The Hebrew sane' (hate) and ma'as (despise/reject) are strong terms—not mild disapproval but visceral repudiation. "Your feast days"—the festivals God Himself commanded (Leviticus 23)—are now rejected. "I will not smell" refers to sacrifices—God won't accept the aroma. Verse 22 continues: "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." No sacrifice—burnt offering (total consecration), grain offering (thanksgiving), peace offering (fellowship)—pleases God when divorced from justice. Verse 23-24's climax: "Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream." God prefers justice over liturgy, righteousness over ritual. This doesn't negate worship's importance but establishes that worship without ethics is abomination (Isaiah 1:11-17, Matthew 23:23).