Tree of Life Version
Jeremiah 6:20
20Of what use to Me is frankincense coming from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor are your sacrifices pleasing to Me.”
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, O nations and observe, O congregation, what is against them. 19Hear, O earth! See, I will bring disaster on this people —fruit of their schemes— for they did not listen to My words and rejected My Torah. Of what use to Me is frankincense coming from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor are your sacrifices pleasing to Me.” 21Therefore thus says Adonai: “Look, I am laying before this people stumbling blocks— and against them they will stumble— fathers and the sons together, a neighbor and his friend, and they will perish.” 22Thus says Adonai: “Look, a people coming from a northern land, a great nation roused from the ends of the earth!
Read all of Jeremiah 6Jeremiah 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 40:6Many things You have done, Adonai my God —Your plans for us are wonderful— there is none to be compared to You! If I were to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to count!
- Psalms 50:7“Hear, My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God.
- Psalms 66:3Say to God: “How awesome are Your deeds! Because of Your great power, Your enemies cringe before You.
- Isaiah 1:11“For what is it to Me— the multitude of your sacrifices?” says Adonai. “I am full of burnt offerings of rams and fat of fed animals. I have no delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or he-goats.
- Isaiah 66:3One who kills an ox is like one who kills a man; 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 swine’s blood; one who burns incense is like one who blesses an idol. They have chosen their own ways, so their soul delights in their abominations.
- Ezekiel 20:39“As for you, house of Israel,” thus says Adonai Elohim: “Go on serving your idols, all of you! Yet afterward, you will surely listen to Me. My holy Name you will no longer profane with your gifts and your idols.
- Amos 5:21“I hate, I despise your festivals! I take no delight in your sacred assemblies.
- Micah 6:6With what shall I come before Adonai? With what shall I bow myself before God on high? Shall I present Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves?
- 1 Kings 10:1Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon because of the Name of Adonai, she came to test him with hard questions.
- Isaiah 60:6A multitude of camels will cover you, young camels of Midian and Ephah, all those from Sheba will come. They will bring gold and frankincense, and proclaim the praises of Adonai.
- Ezekiel 27:22The merchants of Sheba and Raamah were your vendors—they traded for your wares with the finest spices, all precious stones and gold.
- Isaiah 43:23You have not brought Me sheep for your burnt offerings; nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices. I did not compel you to serve offerings nor wearied you with incense.
- Jeremiah 7:21Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, the God of Israel: “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
In the dictionaries
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
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