Hosea 6:6

Authorized King James Version

PDF

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֛י H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
חֶ֥סֶד mercy H2617
חֶ֥סֶד mercy
Strong's: H2617
Word #: 2 of 8
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
חָפַ֖צְתִּי For I desired H2654
חָפַ֖צְתִּי For I desired
Strong's: H2654
Word #: 3 of 8
properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
וְלֹא H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 4 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
זָ֑בַח and not sacrifice H2077
זָ֑בַח and not sacrifice
Strong's: H2077
Word #: 5 of 8
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
וְדַ֥עַת and the knowledge H1847
וְדַ֥עַת and the knowledge
Strong's: H1847
Word #: 6 of 8
knowledge
אֱלֹהִ֖ים of God H430
אֱלֹהִ֖ים of God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 7 of 8
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
מֵעֹלֽוֹת׃ more than burnt offerings H5930
מֵעֹלֽוֹת׃ more than burnt offerings
Strong's: H5930
Word #: 8 of 8
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

Cross References

Matthew 9:13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.Matthew 12:7But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.Proverbs 21:3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.1 Samuel 15:22And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.Isaiah 1:11To 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.Amos 5:21I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.Ecclesiastes 5:1Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.Jeremiah 22:16He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.Matthew 5:7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.1 Chronicles 28:9And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Analysis & Commentary

I desired mercy, and not sacrifice (חֶסֶד חָפַצְתִּי וְלֹא־זָבַח)—God's priority is hesed (covenant loyalty, steadfast love) over ritual performance. Jesus quoted this verse twice (Matthew 9:13, 12:7) to condemn Pharisaic externalism. The knowledge of God (דַּעַת אֱלֹהִים) means intimate covenant relationship, not mere information—the same 'knowing' used of marriage. Israel's sacrifices without heart-loyalty were religious prostitution, the very adultery Hosea's marriage dramatized. The prophets consistently declare God rejects worship divorced from justice and mercy (Isaiah 1:11-17, Amos 5:21-24, Micah 6:6-8). Ritual never substitutes for relationship.

Historical Context

Hosea delivered this foundational principle—'For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings'—during an era when Israel maintained elaborate temple rituals at Bethel and Dan while systematically violating covenant ethics. The 8th century BC witnessed the height of northern kingdom prosperity under Jeroboam II, enabling lavish religious ceremonies that masked moral bankruptcy, social injustice, and oppression of the poor. Jesus quoted this verse twice (Matthew 9:13, 12:7), demonstrating its enduring significance: God prioritizes covenant faithfulness (hesed) and relational knowledge (da'at) over external religious performance—a corrective needed in every generation including first-century Judaism and contemporary Christianity.

Questions for Reflection