For I desire mercy, not sacrificeThis phrase emphasizes God's preference for genuine compassion and love over ritualistic religious practices. In the historical context of ancient Israel, sacrifices were a central part of worship, as outlined in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 1-7). However, the Israelites often fell into the trap of performing these rituals without true repentance or love for others. This echoes the prophetic tradition found in
1 Samuel 15:22, where obedience to God is valued over sacrifice. Jesus later reiterates this principle in
Matthew 9:13 and 12:7, highlighting the importance of mercy and compassion in the Kingdom of God. The Hebrew word for "mercy" here is "chesed," which encompasses loving-kindness, loyalty, and faithfulness, reflecting God's covenantal love.
and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings
The "knowledge of God" refers to an intimate, relational understanding of God's character and will, rather than mere intellectual acknowledgment. In Hosea's time, the people of Israel were guilty of idolatry and superficial worship, lacking a true relationship with God. This call for knowledge over ritual is a recurring theme in the prophetic books, such as inIsaiah 1:11-17 andMicah 6:6-8, where God expresses disdain for empty religious practices. The "burnt offerings" were a significant part of the sacrificial system, symbolizing atonement and dedication to God (Leviticus 1). However, without a heart aligned with God's desires, these offerings were meaningless. This phrase points to the New Covenant, where Jesus Christ fulfills the law and the prophets, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice (Hebrews 10:5-10), and calls believers to a deeper, transformative relationship with God.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
HoseaA prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BC. His ministry focused on calling Israel back to faithfulness to God amidst widespread idolatry and social injustice.
2.
IsraelThe Northern Kingdom, often depicted in Hosea as unfaithful to God, akin to an adulterous spouse. The nation is called to repentance and genuine relationship with God.
3.
God (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who desires a relationship with His people characterized by mercy and knowledge rather than mere ritualistic practices.
4.
Sacrifices and Burnt OfferingsRitual practices commanded in the Law of Moses, which had become empty religious formalities for the Israelites, lacking the heart of true worship.
5.
Mercy (Hebrew: ?????, "chesed")A key term in the Hebrew Bible, often translated as "loving-kindness" or "steadfast love," indicating a deep, covenantal loyalty and compassion.
Teaching Points
Heart Over RitualGod values the heart's posture over mere external religious practices. True worship involves a heart aligned with God's values of mercy and knowledge.
Understanding 'Chesed'The Hebrew word "chesed" encompasses mercy, love, and faithfulness. Our relationship with God should reflect these attributes, extending them to others.
Knowledge of GodKnowing God goes beyond intellectual understanding; it involves an intimate, relational knowledge that transforms our lives and actions.
Repentance and ReturnHosea calls for genuine repentance, turning away from empty rituals to a vibrant, living relationship with God.
Living Out MercyAs believers, we are called to embody God's mercy in our interactions, prioritizing compassion and love over legalistic adherence to rituals.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Hosea 6:6?
2.How does Hosea 6:6 emphasize the importance of mercy over sacrifice in worship?
3.What does "knowledge of God" mean in the context of Hosea 6:6?
4.How can we prioritize mercy and knowledge of God in our daily lives?
5.How does Jesus reference Hosea 6:6 in Matthew 9:13 and 12:7?
6.What practical steps can we take to embody mercy in our communities?
7.What does Hosea 6:6 reveal about God's preference for mercy over sacrifice?
8.How does Hosea 6:6 challenge traditional views on religious rituals?
9.In what ways does Hosea 6:6 emphasize the importance of knowledge of God?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Hosea 6?
11.In Hosea 6:6, is placing mercy over sacrifice inconsistent with other Old Testament passages that emphasize animal offerings?
12.What does "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" mean?
13.What does "Mercy, Not Sacrifice" mean?
14.Is "Love the sinner, hate the sin" biblical?What Does Hosea 6:6 Mean
For I desire mercy– God’s heart is revealed first: “For I desire mercy…” (Hosea 6:6).
– Mercy here is covenant love expressed in faithful kindness toward God and people.
– Cross references woven in:
•1 Samuel 15:22 – “To obey is better than sacrifice,” showing that loving obedience pleases God more than ritual.
•Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you… to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly,” echoing Hosea’s emphasis.
•Matthew 9:13; 12:7 – Jesus quotes Hosea to correct hollow religion, proving the verse’s enduring relevance.
– Takeaway: God’s first desire is a living, active compassion that mirrors His own steadfast love.
Not sacrifice– “Not sacrifice” does not reject sacrifices ordained in the Law; it rejects sacrifices offered without a heart of love.
–Psalm 51:16-17 clarifies: “You do not delight in sacrifice… The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.”
–Isaiah 1:11-17 shows God weary of offerings detached from justice and care for the oppressed.
– Practical reflection: outward acts of worship mean nothing unless they rise from genuine love and obedience.
And the knowledge of God– “The knowledge of God” goes beyond information; it is a personal, experiential relationship.
–Jeremiah 9:23-24 – “Let him who boasts boast that he understands and knows Me.”
–John 17:3 – Jesus defines eternal life as knowing the only true God.
– Bullet points on what this knowledge looks like:
• Daily fellowship through Scripture (Psalm 119:105)
• Walking in His ways (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)
• Trusting His character in every circumstance (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Rather than burnt offerings– Burnt offerings were the most complete sacrifices, entirely consumed on the altar (Leviticus 1). Even these, when offered without heartfelt devotion, fall short of God’s desire.
–Amos 5:21-24 – God rejects Israel’s feasts but calls for “justice to roll on like a river.”
–Mark 12:33 – The scribe affirms that loving God and neighbor “is more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices,” and Jesus commends him.
– The message: wholehearted love and intimate knowledge of God surpass even the highest ritual acts.
summaryHosea 6:6 lays God’s priorities in plain sight: steadfast love and real relationship trump empty ritual. He wants hearts that overflow with mercy, lives that demonstrate genuine obedience, and minds set on knowing Him personally. Ritual without relationship is hollow; relationship expressed in mercy and faithful obedience is worship that delights the Lord.
(6)
Mercy.--Better rendered,
love. This passage is richly sustained by our Lord's adoption of its teaching (
Matthew 9:13;
Matthew 12:7).
Mark 12:33 shows that according to even Old Testament teaching, the moral ranks above the ceremonial, that ritual is valueless apart from spiritual conformity with Divine will.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Forכִּ֛י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionI desireחָפַ֖צְתִּי(ḥā·p̄aṣ·tî)Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2654:To incline to, to bend, to be pleased with, desiremercy,חֶ֥סֶד(ḥe·seḏ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617:Kindness, piety, reproof, beautynotוְלֹא־(wə·lō-)Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nosacrifice,זָ֑בַח(zā·ḇaḥ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2077:A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrificeand the knowledgeוְדַ֥עַת(wə·ḏa·‘aṯ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1847:Knowledgeof Godאֱלֹהִ֖ים(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativerather than burnt offerings.מֵעֹלֽוֹת׃(mê·‘ō·lō·wṯ)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5930:Whole burnt offering
Links
Hosea 6:6 NIVHosea 6:6 NLTHosea 6:6 ESVHosea 6:6 NASBHosea 6:6 KJV
Hosea 6:6 BibleApps.comHosea 6:6 Biblia ParalelaHosea 6:6 Chinese BibleHosea 6:6 French BibleHosea 6:6 Catholic Bible
OT Prophets: Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice (Ho Hs Hos.) 
