Bible Strands
Amos 5:21
“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The prophet Amos pronounces this judgment to the northern kingdom of Israel during a period of religious formalism that masked systemic injustice. His message directly precedes and follows warnings about the coming Day of the LORD and the rejection of ritual sacrifices.
The words — The Hebrew שָׂנֵ֥אתִי (sa.Ne.ti) translates literally to "I hate," paired with מָאַ֖סְתִּי (ma.'As.ti) meaning "I reject." These terms frame the rejection of חַגֵּי/כֶ֑ם (cha.gei./Khem, "your feasts") and בְּ/עַצְּרֹֽתֵי/כֶֽם (be./'a.tze.Ro.tei./Khem, "your assemblies").
The thread — This theme of divine rejection of empty ritual recurs in Isaiah 1:11, where God questions the value of multiplied sacrifices, and Leviticus 26:31, which warns that sanctuaries will be laid waste. The same principle appears in Proverbs 28:9, which states that ignoring the law renders prayer detestable.
Why it lands — The text demands a reader examine whether outward religious observance masks a disregard for God's commands. It requires honest self-assessment before assuming ritual activity guarantees divine favor.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 1:11 “What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
- Proverbs 28:9 Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
- Leviticus 26:31 I will reduce your cities to rubble and lay waste your sanctuaries, and I will refuse to smell the pleasing aroma of your sacrifices.
- Isaiah 66:3 Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who slays a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever offers frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations.
- Jeremiah 6:20 What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please Me.”
- Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
- Hosea 8:13 Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to Me, and though they eat the meat, the LORD does not accept them. Now He will remember their iniquity and punish their sins: They will return to Egypt.
- Genesis 8:21 When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.
- Proverbs 21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!
- Matthew 23:13 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.