Jeremiah 6:20

Jeremiah 6:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)To 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.
• New International Version (NIV)What do I care about incense from Sheba or sweet calamus from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)What use to me is frankincense that comes from Sheba, or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing to me.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For what purpose to Me Comes frankincense from Sheba, And sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, Nor your sacrifices sweet to Me.”

Context of Jeremiah 6:20

18Listen, you nations, and learn, you witnesses, what will happen to them. 19Listen, earth! I’m going to bring disaster on these people. It is the result of their own plots, because they won’t pay attention to my words. They reject my teachings. Incense that comes from Sheba is no good to me. Sugar cane that comes from a distant land is no good to me. I won’t accept your burnt offerings. I’m not pleased with your sacrifices. 21This is what the Lord says: I’m going to lay stumbling blocks in front of these people. Parents and children will stumble over them. Neighbors and their friends will die. 22This is what the Lord says: An army is going to come from the north. A great nation is preparing itself in the distant parts of the earth.

Jeremiah 6:20 word by word

לָמָּה־זֶּ֨ה לִ֤י לְבוֹנָה֙ מִשְּׁבָ֣א תָב֔וֹא וְקָנֶ֥ה הַטּ֖וֹב מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מֶרְחָ֑ק עֹלֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ לֹ֣א לְרָצ֔וֹן וְזִבְחֵיכֶ֖ם לֹא־עָ֥רְבוּ לִֽי׃ סRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• To what purpose comethבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
• there to me incenseלְבֹנָהlebônâh lebônâh · frankincenseH3828
• from Shebaשְׁבָאshebâ' · ShebaH7614
• and the sweetטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• caneקָנֶהqâneh · branch: stemH7070
• from a farמֶרְחָקmerchâq · distanceH4801
• countryאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
• your burnt offeringsעֹלָה‛ôlâh ‛ôlâh · burnt offeringH5930
• not acceptableרָצוֹןrâtsôn râtsôn · acceptanceH7522
• nor your sacrificesזֶ֫בַחzebach · sacrificeH2077
• sweetעָרַב‛ârêb · to pleaseH6149

Cross-references for Jeremiah 6:20

• Psalms 40:6You were not pleased with sacrifices and offerings. You have dug out two ears for me. You did not ask for burnt offerings or sacrifices for sin.
• Psalms 50:7“Listen, my people, and I will speak. Listen, Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God!
• Psalms 66:3Say to God, “How awe-inspiring are your deeds! Your power is so great that your enemies will cringe in front of you.
• Isaiah 1:11The Lord asks, “What do your many animal sacrifices mean to me? I’ve had enough of your burnt offerings of rams and enough fat from your fattened calves. I’m not pleased with the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats.
• Isaiah 66:3Whoever kills a bull is like someone who kills a person. Whoever sacrifices a lamb is like someone who breaks a dog’s neck. Whoever offers a grain sacrifice is like someone who ⌞offers⌟ pig’s blood. Whoever burns incense is like someone who worships an idol. People have certainly chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in detestable things.
• Ezekiel 20:39“ ‘Nation of Israel, this is what the Almighty Lord says: Serve your disgusting idols. But afterwards, you will listen to me. You will no longer dishonor my holy name with your gifts and your disgusting idols.
• Amos 5:21I hate your festivals; I despise them. I’m not pleased with your religious assemblies.
• Micah 6:6What should I bring when I come into the Lord’s presence, when I bow in front of the God of heaven? Should I bring him year-old calves as burnt offerings?
• 1 Kings 10:1The queen of Sheba heard about Solomon’s reputation. (He owed his reputation to the name of the Lord.) So she came to test him with riddles.
• Isaiah 60:6“Many camels will cover your ⌞land⌟, young camels from Midian and Ephah. Everyone from Sheba will come. They will bring gold and incense. They will sing the praises of the Lord.
• Ezekiel 27:22The merchants from Sheba and Raamah traded with you. They traded the finest spices, precious stones, and gold for your merchandise.
• Isaiah 43:23You did not bring me sheep for your burnt offerings or honor me with your sacrifices. I did not burden you by requiring grain offerings or trouble you by requiring incense offerings.
• Jeremiah 7:21“This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices, and eat the meat.

Commentaries on Jeremiah 6:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20Incense frown Sheba - Sheba was in Arabian famous for the best incense. It was situated towards the southern extremity of the peninsula of Arabia; and was, in respect of Judea, a far country. And the sweet cane from a far country - The calamus aromaticus, which, when dried and pulverized, yields a very fine aromatic smell; see on Isaiah 43:24; (note). This was employed in making the holy anointing oil. See Exodus 30:23.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-30Verses 18-30 God rejects their outward services, as worthless to atone for their sins. Sacrifice and incense were to direct them to a Mediator; but when offered to purchase a license to go on in sin, they provoke God. The sins of God's professing people make them an easy prey to their enemies. They dare not show themselves. Saints may rejoice in hope of God's mercies, though they see them only in the promise: sinners must mourn for fear of God's…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20The Lord found the offerings of expensive frankincense and fragrant perfumes offensive because of the people's rebellion (Jeremiah 7:21–23; Exodus 30:23; Psalms 40:6; 50:7–9; Isaiah 1:11; 43:24; 66:3; Amos 5:21; Micah 6:6–7).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. Literally, "To what purpose is this to Me, that incense cometh to Me?" incense ... cane--(Is 43:24; 60:6). No external services are accepted by God without obedience of the heart and life (Jr 7:21; Psa 50:7-9; Is 1:11; Mi 6:6, &c.). sweet ... sweet--antithesis. Your sweet cane is not sweet to Me. The calamus.Read the comment

Topics related to Jeremiah 6:20

• Calamus
• Commerce
• Formalism
• Frankincense
• Hypocrisy
• Offerings
• Sheba

In the dictionaries

• Sheba
• Sweet Cane
• Calamus
• Cane
• Cruel
• Frankincense
• Mount
• Reprobate
• Wallow
• Criticism

Commentaries on Jeremiah 6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings