6 For I desired H2654 mercy, H2617 and not sacrifice; H2077 and the knowledge H1847 of God H430 more than burnt offerings. H5930
But G1161 if G1487 ye had known G1097 what G5101 this meaneth, G2076 I will have G2309 mercy, G1656 and G2532 not G3756 sacrifice, G2378 ye would G302 not G3756 have condemned G2613 the guiltless. G338
But G1161 go ye G4198 and learn G3129 what G5101 that meaneth, G2076 I will G2309 have mercy, G1656 and G2532 not G3756 sacrifice: G2378 for G1063 I am G2064 not G3756 come G2064 to call G2564 the righteous, G1342 but G235 sinners G268 to G1519 repentance. G3341
To what H4100 purpose is the multitude H7230 of your sacrifices H2077 unto me? saith H559 the LORD: H3068 I am full H7646 of the burnt offerings H5930 of rams, H352 and the fat H2459 of fed beasts; H4806 and I delight H2654 not in the blood H1818 of bullocks, H6499 or of lambs, H3532 or of he goats. H6260
And Samuel H8050 said, H559 Hath the LORD H3068 as great delight H2656 in burnt offerings H5930 and sacrifices, H2077 as in obeying H8085 the voice H6963 of the LORD? H3068 Behold, to obey H8085 is better H2896 than sacrifice, H2077 and to hearken H7181 than the fat H2459 of rams. H352
Whosoever G3956 abideth G3306 in G1722 him G846 sinneth G264 not: G3756 whosoever G3956 sinneth G264 hath G3708 not G3756 seen G3708 him, G846 neither G3761 known G1097 him. G846
And thou, Solomon H8010 my son, H1121 know H3045 thou the God H430 of thy father, H1 and serve H5647 him with a perfect H8003 heart H3820 and with a willing H2655 mind: H5315 for the LORD H3068 searcheth H1875 all hearts, H3824 and understandeth H995 all the imaginations H3336 of the thoughts: H4284 if thou seek H1875 him, he will be found H4672 of thee; but if thou forsake H5800 him, he will cast thee off H2186 for ever. H5703
I will not reprove H3198 thee for thy sacrifices H2077 or thy burnt offerings, H5930 to have been continually H8548 before me.
Wherefore, H3861 O king, H4430 let my counsel H4431 be acceptable H8232 unto thee, H5922 and break off H6562 thy sins H2408 by righteousness, H6665 and thine iniquities H5758 by shewing mercy H2604 to the poor; H6033 if H2006 it may be H1934 a lengthening H754 of thy tranquillity. H7963
Hear H8085 the word H1697 of the LORD, H3068 ye children H1121 of Israel: H3478 for the LORD H3068 hath a controversy H7379 with the inhabitants H3427 of the land, H776 because there is no truth, H571 nor mercy, H2617 nor knowledge H1847 of God H430 in the land. H776
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Hosea 6
Commentary on Hosea 6 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 6
The closing words of the foregoing chapter gave us some hopes that God and his Israel, notwithstanding their sins and his wrath, might yet be happily brought together again, that they would seek him and he would be found of them; now this chapter carries that matter further, and some join the beginning of this chapter with the end of that, "They will seek me early,' saying, "Come and let us return.' But God doth again complain of the wickedness of this people; for, though some did repent and reform, the greater part continued obstinate. Observe,
Hsa 6:1-3
These may be taken either as the words of the prophet to the people, calling them to repentance, or as the words of the people to one another, exciting and encouraging one another to seek the Lord, and to humble themselves before him, in hopes of finding mercy with him. God had said, In their affliction they will seek me; now the prophet, and the good people his friends, would strike while the iron was hot, and set in with the convictions their neighbours seemed to be under. Note, Those who are disposed to turn to God themselves should do all they can to excite, and engage, and encourage others to return to him. Observe,
Hsa 6:4-11
Two things, two evil things, both Judah and Ephraim are here charged with, and justly accused of:-