Jeremiah 7:21 Meaning and Explanation
“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God sardonically rejects the people's ritual sacrifices, telling them to eat the meat themselves.
The Context of Jeremiah 7:21
God sardonically dismisses the people's sacrifices as worthless.
What Does Jeremiah 7:21 Mean?
This is bitter irony. God is saying: if you insist on bringing sacrifices, go ahead—burn the offering and the rest of the animal together, then eat the roasted flesh yourselves. The people believed their burnt offerings pleased God and secured his favor. But God rejects them outright, reducing them to a mere meal.
The sarcasm cuts deep. The rituals mean nothing to God if they come from hearts committed to injustice and idolatry. By telling them to eat the meat themselves, God is stripping the sacrifice of all religious significance. It becomes mere food, not worship. This is a complete inversion of the sacrificial system that had been central to Israelite religion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 7:21
What does Jeremiah 7:21 mean?
God sardonically rejects the people's ritual sacrifices, telling them to eat the meat themselves.
What is the context of Jeremiah 7:21?
God sardonically dismisses the people's sacrifices as worthless.