King James Version

What Does Amos 5:22 Mean?

Amos 5:22 in the King James Version says “Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offe...” — study this verse from Amos chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. peace: or, thank offerings”

Amos 5:22 · KJV

Peace

Context

20

Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

21

I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. in: or, your holy days

22

Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. peace: or, thank offerings

23

Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

24

But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. run: Heb. roll

Read Amos 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them (ki im-ta'alu li olot uminchoteikhem lo ertzeh, כִּי אִם־תַּעֲלוּ־לִי עֹלוֹת וּמִנְחֹתֵיכֶם לֹא אֶרְצֶה)—God categorically rejects Israel's worship. Olah (עֹלָה, "burnt offering") was the premier sacrifice, wholly consumed on the altar (Leviticus 1). Minchah (מִנְחָה, "grain offering") accompanied burnt offerings (Leviticus 2). Shelamim (שְׁלָמִים, "peace offerings") were fellowship meals celebrating covenant relationship. God says: I will not accept (lo ertzeh, לֹא אֶרְצֶה) and I will not regard (lo abbit, לֹא אַבִּיט)—meaning He refuses to acknowledge or approve their worship.

The phrase your fat beasts (meri'eikhem, מְרִיאֵיכֶם, "fattened animals") emphasizes they brought expensive, high-quality sacrifices—yet God rejects them. Why? Because worship divorced from justice and righteousness is abomination (vv. 21-24). Isaiah 1:11-15 and Micah 6:6-8 make identical points: God desires obedience, not ritual; mercy, not ceremony. Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6: "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice" (Matthew 9:13, 12:7). Hebrews 10:8 notes that God takes "no pleasure" in sacrifices offered under the old covenant—how much less when offered hypocritically!

This doesn't mean ritual is inherently wrong but that ritual without heart-righteousness is empty performance. The Reformed tradition rightly emphasizes that worship must be in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24)—external forms mean nothing if divorced from internal reality and ethical obedience.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel maintained elaborate worship at Bethel and Dan, offering sacrifices regularly (Amos 4:4-5). But their worship was syncretistic (mixing Yahweh worship with Canaanite practices) and hypocritical (maintaining ritual while oppressing the poor). They assumed religious observance guaranteed divine favor regardless of ethics. Amos demolishes this: God rejects worship that coexists with injustice. This was fulfilled when Assyria destroyed Israel (722 BC)—their sanctuaries couldn't save them.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do churches and individuals today sometimes substitute religious ritual for genuine obedience and justice?
  2. What does it mean that God refuses to "accept" or "regard" worship offered without righteousness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
כִּ֣י1 of 12
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם2 of 12
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תַּעֲלוּ3 of 12

“Though ye offer”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

לִ֥י4 of 12
H0
עֹל֛וֹת5 of 12

“me burnt offerings”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

וּמִנְחֹתֵיכֶ֖ם6 of 12

“and your meat offerings”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

לֹ֣א7 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אֶרְצֶ֑ה8 of 12

“I will not accept”

H7521

to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt

וְשֶׁ֥לֶם9 of 12

“the peace offerings”

H8002

properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks

מְרִיאֵיכֶ֖ם10 of 12

“of your fat beasts”

H4806

stall-fed; often (as noun) a beeve

לֹ֥א11 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אַבִּֽיט׃12 of 12

“them neither will I regard”

H5027

to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Amos. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Amos 5:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Amos 5:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Micah 6:6-7Amos 4:4-5Isaiah 66:3Leviticus 7:12-15Psalms 107:21-22Psalms 116:17

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