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

18Therefore hear, you nations, And know, you congregation, what is among them. 19Hear, earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people, The fruit of their plans, Because they have not listened to My words, And as for My Law, they have rejected it also. For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba, And the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable And your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me.” 21Therefore, this is what the Lord says: “Behold, I am placing stumbling blocks before this people. And they will stumble against them, Fathers and sons together; Neighbor and friend will perish.” 22This is what the Lord says: “Behold, there is a people coming from the north land, And a great nation will be stirred up from the remote 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

• For whatמָהmâh mah mâ ma meh · what?H4100
• purposeזֶהzeh · thisH2088
• frankincenseלְבֹנָהlebônâh lebônâh · frankincenseH3828
• comeבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
• to Me from Shebaשְׁבָאshebâ' · ShebaH7614
• sweetטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• caneקָנֶהqâneh · branch: stemH7070
• from a distantמֶרְחָקmerchâq · distanceH4801
• landאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
• Your burntעֹלָה‛ôlâh ‛ôlâh · burnt offeringH5930
• offeringsעֹלָה‛ôlâh ‛ôlâh · burnt offeringH5930
• are not acceptableרָצוֹןrâtsôn râtsôn · acceptanceH7522
• And your sacrificesזֶ֫בַחzebach · sacrificeH2077
• are not pleasingעָרַב‛ârêb · to pleaseH6149

Cross-references for Jeremiah 6:20

• Psalms 40:6You have not desired sacrifice and meal offering; You have opened my ears; You have not required burnt offering and sin offering.
• Psalms 50:7“Hear, My people, and I will speak; Israel, I will testify against you; I am God, your God.
• Psalms 66:3Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will pretend to obey You.
• Isaiah 1:11“What are your many sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fattened cattle; And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats.
• Isaiah 66:3“But the one who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a person; The one who sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; One who offers a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; One who burns incense is like one who blesses an idol. As they have chosen their own ways, And their souls delight in their abominations,
• Ezekiel 20:39“As for you, house of Israel,” this is what the Lord God says: “Go, serve, everyone of you his idols; but later you will certainly listen to Me, and My holy name you will no longer defile with your gifts and your idols.
• Amos 5:21“I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your festive assemblies.
• Micah 6:6With what shall I come to the Lord And bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves?
• 1 Kings 10:1Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon in relation to the name of the Lord, she came to test him with riddles.
• Isaiah 60:6A multitude of camels will cover you, The young camels of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba will come; They will bring gold and frankincense, And proclaim good news of the praises of the Lord.
• Ezekiel 27:22The traders of Sheba and Raamah, they traded with you; they paid for your merchandise with the best of all balsam oil, and with all kinds of precious stones, and gold.
• Isaiah 43:23You have not brought to Me the sheep of your burnt offerings, Nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, Nor wearied you with incense.
• Jeremiah 7:21This is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel says: “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat flesh.

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