Jeremiah 6:20 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God rejects all sacrificial offerings because the people's hearts are not right.
The Context of Jeremiah 6:20
Ritual worship cannot substitute for covenant faithfulness.
What Does Jeremiah 6:20 Mean?
Incense and sweet cane from Sheba were luxurious imports, the finest materials for worship. Burnt offerings and sacrifices were the prescribed means of approach to God. Yet God refuses all of it—not because the ritual is wrong but because the people's rebellion makes their offerings meaningless.
This echoes a profound principle: outward religious performance without inward faithfulness is worthless. God wants obedience and repentance, not ritual pomp. The finest sacrifices cannot bridge the gap between hardened hearts and a righteous God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 6:20
What does Jeremiah 6:20 mean?
God rejects all sacrificial offerings because the people's hearts are not right.
What is the context of Jeremiah 6:20?
Ritual worship cannot substitute for covenant faithfulness.