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Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/6.htm">New Living Translation</a> There’s no use offering me sweet frankincense from Sheba. Keep your fragrant calamus imported from distant lands! I will not accept your burnt offerings. Your sacrifices have no pleasing aroma for me.” <a href="/esv/jeremiah/6.htm">English Standard Version</a> What use to me is frankincense that comes from Sheba, or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing to me. <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/6.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/6.htm">New King James Version</a> For what purpose to Me Comes frankincense from Sheba, And sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, Nor your sacrifices sweet to Me.” <a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba, And the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable And your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me.” <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/6.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba And the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable And your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba, And the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, And your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me.” <a href="/lsb/jeremiah/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba And the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, And your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me.” <a href="/amp/jeremiah/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba And the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable And your sacrifices are not sweet and pleasing to Me.” <a href="/csb/jeremiah/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/asv/jeremiah/6.htm">American Standard Version</a> To what purpose cometh there to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt-offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing unto me. <a href="/cev/jeremiah/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> People of Judah, you bring me incense from Sheba and spices from distant lands. You offer sacrifices of all kinds. But why bother? I hate these gifts of yours! <a href="/erv/jeremiah/6.htm">English Revised Version</a> To what purpose cometh there to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing unto me. <a href="/gwt/jeremiah/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Incense that comes from Sheba is no good to me. Sugar cane that comes from a distant land is no good to me. I won't accept your burnt offerings. I'm not pleased with your sacrifices. <a href="/gnt/jeremiah/6.htm">Good News Translation</a> What do I care about the incense they bring me from Sheba, or the spices from a distant land? I will not accept their offerings or be pleased with their sacrifices. <a href="/isv/jeremiah/6.htm">International Standard Version</a> What good is frankincense that comes from Sheba to me, or sweet cane from a distant country? Your burnt offerings aren't acceptable, nor are your sacrifices pleasing to me." <a href="/msb/jeremiah/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/jeremiah/6.htm">NET Bible</a> I take no delight when they offer up to me frankincense that comes from Sheba or sweet-smelling cane imported from a faraway land. I cannot accept the burnt offerings they bring me. I get no pleasure from the sacrifices they offer to me.' <a href="/nheb/jeremiah/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> To what purpose comes there to me frankincense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing to me.' <a href="/wbt/jeremiah/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a distant country? your burnt-offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet to me. <a href="/web/jeremiah/6.htm">World English Bible</a> To what purpose does frankincense from Sheba come to me, and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, and your sacrifices are not pleasing to me.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Why [is] this to Me? Frankincense comes from Sheba, "" And the sweet cane from a far-off land, "" Your burnt-offerings [are] not for acceptance, "" And your sacrifices have not been sweet to Me.” <a href="/ylt/jeremiah/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Why is this to Me? frankincense from Sheba cometh, And the sweet cane from a land afar off, Your burnt-offerings are not for acceptance, And your sacrifices have not been sweet to Me. <a href="/slt/jeremiah/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Wherefore this to me shall frankincense come from Sheba, and the good cane from a land from far off? your burnt-offerings are not for acceptance, and your sacrifices were not sweet to me.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jeremiah/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> To what purpose do you bring me frankincense from Saba, and the sweet smelling cane from a far country? your holocausts are not acceptable, nor are your sacrifices pleasing to me. <a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For what reason are you bringing me frankincense from Sheba, and sweet smelling reeds from a far away land? Your holocausts are not acceptable, and your sacrifices are not pleasing to me.” <a href="/nabre/jeremiah/6.htm">New American Bible</a> Of what use to me is incense that comes from Sheba, or sweet cane from far-off lands? Your burnt offerings find no favor with me, your sacrifices do not please me. <a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Of what use to me is frankincense that comes from Sheba, or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor are your sacrifices pleasing to me.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> To what purpose do you bring to me incense from Sheba and the cane of sweet incense from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable to me, nor do your sacrifices please me. <a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Why will I have frankincense that you bring from Sheba, and cane of sweet spices from a distant land? I have not been pleased with your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices have not been sweet to me<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jeremiah/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> To what purpose is to Me the frankincense that cometh from Sheba, And the sweet cane, from a far country? Your burnt-offerings are not acceptable, Nor your sacrifices pleasing unto Me. <a href="/sep/jeremiah/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Wherefore do ye bring me frankincense from Saba, and cinnamon from a land afar off? your whole-burnt-offerings are not acceptable, and your sacrifices have not been pleasant to me. <a href="/parallel/jeremiah/6-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=1957" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/6.htm">Jerusalem's Final Warning</a> …19Hear, O earth! I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their own schemes, because they have paid no attention to My word and have rejected My instruction. 20<a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh- (Prep-l:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">What use</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">to Me</a> <a href="/hebrew/3828.htm" title="3828: lə·ḇō·w·nāh (N-fs) -- Frankincense. Or lbonah; from laban; frankincense.">is frankincense</a> <a href="/hebrew/7614.htm" title="7614: miš·šə·ḇā (Prep-m:: N-proper-ms) -- Of foreign origin; Sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an Ethiopian district.">from Sheba</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ṯā·ḇō·w (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: haṭ·ṭō·wḇ (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">or sweet</a> <a href="/hebrew/7070.htm" title="7070: wə·qā·neh (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- A stalk, reed. From qanah; a reed; by resemblance a rod, shaft, tube, stem, the radius, beam.">cane</a> <a href="/hebrew/4801.htm" title="4801: mer·ḥāq (N-ms) -- Distant place, distance. From rachaq; remoteness, i.e. a distant place; often from afar.">from a distant</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: mê·’e·reṣ (Prep-m:: N-fsc) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">land?</a> <a href="/hebrew/5930.htm" title="5930: ‘ō·lō·w·ṯê·ḵem (N-fpc:: 2mp) -- Whole burnt offering. Or mowlah; feminine active participle of alah; a step or; usually a holocaust.">Your burnt offerings</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">are not acceptable;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7522.htm" title="7522: lə·rā·ṣō·wn (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Goodwill, favor, acceptance, will. Or ratson; from ratsah; delight."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2077.htm" title="2077: wə·ziḇ·ḥê·ḵem (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 2mp) -- A sacrifice. From zabach; properly, a slaughter, i.e. The flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice.">your sacrifices</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6149.htm" title="6149: ‘ā·rə·ḇū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To be sweet or pleasing. A primitive root; to be agreeable.">please</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">Me.”</a> 21Therefore this is what the LORD says: “I will lay stumbling blocks before this people; fathers and sons alike will be staggered; friends and neighbors will perish.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-15</a> “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. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. ... <a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-23</a> “I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. <a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a> With what shall I come before the LORD when I bow before the God on high? Should I come to Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? / Would the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? / He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a> For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. <a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16-17</a> For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. <a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3</a> To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. <a href="/isaiah/66-3.htm">Isaiah 66:3</a> 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. <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a> But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. <a href="/malachi/1-10.htm">Malachi 1:10</a> “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would no longer kindle useless fires on My altar! I take no pleasure in you,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and I will accept no offering from your hands. <a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Matthew 9:13</a> But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” <a href="/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7</a> If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. <a href="/mark/7-6.htm">Mark 7:6-7</a> Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ <a href="/hebrews/10-5.htm">Hebrews 10:5-6</a> Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. / In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight. <a href="/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">1 Corinthians 13:3</a> If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing. <a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1-2</a> Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. / Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>To what purpose comes there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet to me.To what.<a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Psalm 40:6</a> Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.<a href="/psalms/50-7.htm">Psalm 50:7-13,16,17</a> Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God… <a href="/psalms/66-3.htm">Psalm 66:3</a> Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.Sheba.<a href="/1_kings/10-1.htm">1 Kings 10:1,2,10</a> And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions… <a href="/isaiah/60-6.htm">Isaiah 60:6</a> The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.<a href="/ezekiel/27-22.htm">Ezekiel 27:22</a> The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold.sweet cane.<a href="/isaiah/43-23.htm">Isaiah 43:23,24</a> Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense… your burnt.<a href="/jeremiah/7-21.htm">Jeremiah 7:21-23</a> Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/61-2.htm">Acceptable</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-20.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-14.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-15.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/isaiah/56-7.htm">Burnt-Offerings</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-24.htm">Calamus</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-24.htm">Cane</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-33.htm">Care</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-16.htm">Country</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-16.htm">Distant</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm">Far</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-3.htm">Frankincense</a> <a href="/jeremiah/1-16.htm">Incense</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-11.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-3.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/isaiah/56-4.htm">Please</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-15.htm">Pleasing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-10.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/jeremiah/1-16.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/isaiah/60-6.htm">Sheba</a> <a href="/isaiah/60-6.htm">Spices</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-26.htm">Sweet</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/daniel/4-27.htm">Acceptable</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-21.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-29.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-29.htm">Burnt</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-21.htm">Burnt-Offerings</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-19.htm">Calamus</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-19.htm">Cane</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-24.htm">Care</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-22.htm">Country</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-26.htm">Distant</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-19.htm">Far</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-26.htm">Frankincense</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-9.htm">Incense</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-18.htm">Offerings</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-12.htm">Perfume</a> <a href="/jeremiah/21-2.htm">Please</a> <a href="/jeremiah/27-5.htm">Pleasing</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-10.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-29.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-9.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-22.htm">Sheba</a> <a href="/jeremiah/34-5.htm">Spices</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-26.htm">Sweet</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 6</div>1. <a href="/jeremiah/6-1.htm">The enemies sent against Judah,</a> 4. <a href="/jeremiah/6-4.htm">encourage themselves.</a> 6. <a href="/jeremiah/6-6.htm">God sets them on work because of their sins.</a> 9. <a href="/jeremiah/6-9.htm">The prophet laments the judgments of God because of their sins.</a> 18. <a href="/jeremiah/6-18.htm">He proclaims God's wrath.</a> 26. <a href="/jeremiah/6-26.htm">He calls the people to mourn for the judgment on their sins.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba This phrase highlights the futility of external religious rituals when the heart is not aligned with God. Sheba, likely located in modern-day Yemen, was known for its wealth and trade in spices and incense. Frankincense was a valuable commodity used in worship (<a href="/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34</a>). The rhetorical question underscores that God desires genuine devotion over costly offerings. This echoes <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a>, where obedience is valued over sacrifice.or sweet cane from a distant land? Sweet cane, or calamus, was another precious ingredient used in sacred anointing oil (<a href="/exodus/30-23.htm">Exodus 30:23</a>). Its mention here emphasizes the worthlessness of even the most exotic and expensive offerings if the worshiper's heart is not right with God. The "distant land" suggests the lengths to which people would go to procure these items, yet God is not impressed by mere ritualistic observance.Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; Burnt offerings were central to Israelite worship, symbolizing atonement and dedication to God (Leviticus 1). However, when offered insincerely, they become unacceptable. This reflects a recurring biblical theme where God rejects sacrifices devoid of true repentance and righteousness (<a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-15</a>, <a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-24</a>). The emphasis is on the condition of the heart rather than the act itself.your sacrifices do not please Me.” Sacrifices were meant to express devotion and seek reconciliation with God. Yet, when performed without genuine faith and obedience, they fail to please Him. This sentiment is echoed in <a href="/psalms/51-16.htm">Psalm 51:16-17</a>, where a contrite heart is valued over ritual. The ultimate fulfillment of sacrificial symbolism is found in Jesus Christ, whose perfect sacrifice on the cross renders all other offerings unnecessary for atonement (<a href="/hebrews/10-10.htm">Hebrews 10:10-14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a> A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings and was marked by his deep emotional connection to his people and his unwavering commitment to God's truth. 2. <a href="/topical/s/sheba.htm">Sheba</a> A region known for its wealth and trade, particularly in spices and incense. It is often associated with the Queen of Sheba, who visited King Solomon, bringing gifts of spices and gold. 3. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing imminent judgment due to its persistent idolatry and disobedience to God. 4. <a href="/topical/f/frankincense_and_sweet_cane.htm">Frankincense and Sweet Cane</a> Valuable commodities used in religious rituals and offerings. They symbolize the external acts of worship that the people of Judah were performing. 5. <a href="/topical/b/burnt_offerings_and_sacrifices.htm">Burnt Offerings and Sacrifices</a> Central elements of the Old Testament sacrificial system, intended to atone for sin and express devotion to God. However, in this context, they are rejected by God due to the insincerity of the worshipers.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/true_worship_vs._ritualistic_worship.htm">True Worship vs. Ritualistic Worship</a> God desires genuine worship that comes from a heart aligned with His will, rather than mere external rituals. Our worship should reflect a sincere relationship with God. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_hypocrisy.htm">The Danger of Hypocrisy</a> Performing religious acts without true devotion is displeasing to God. We must examine our hearts to ensure our actions align with our faith. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a> Obedience to God's commands is more valuable than any material offering. Our lives should demonstrate our commitment to His Word. <a href="/topical/g/god's_desire_for_justice_and_righteousness.htm">God's Desire for Justice and Righteousness</a> God values justice and righteousness over ritualistic practices. We are called to live out these principles in our daily lives. <a href="/topical/s/self-examination_in_worship.htm">Self-Examination in Worship</a> Regularly assess your motives and attitudes in worship. Are you seeking to honor God, or are you merely going through the motions?<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 6</a> <a href="/q/when_should_you_weep_or_laugh.htm">What is calamus in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_calamus_in_the_bible.htm">What is calamus in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/was_child_sacrifice_widespread_in_israel.htm">Isaiah 57:5: Is there credible archaeological evidence that child sacrifice was widespread among Israelites, or is this an exaggerated polemic?</a> <a href="/q/is_2_kings_21_6_historically_credible.htm">Do the child sacrifices mentioned in 2 Kings 21:6 have credible historical evidence, or is the text relying on theological polemics?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) Incense from Sheba.--The land that had a proverbial fame both for gold and frankincense (<a href="/isaiah/60-6.htm" title="The multitude of camels shall cover you, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of the LORD.">Isaiah 60:6</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/27-22.htm" title="The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were your merchants: they occupied in your fairs with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold.">Ezekiel 27:22</a>), the thus Sabaeum of Virg., 'n. i. 416, 417. So Milton, Par. Lost, 4--"Sabaean odours from the spicy shoresOf Araby the blest."So the Queen of Sheba brought spices and gold (<a href="/1_kings/10-10.htm" title="And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.">1Kings 10:10</a>).The sweet cane.--Literally, the good cane, or, as in <a href="/exodus/30-23.htm" title="Take you also to you principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,">Exodus 30:23</a>, sweet calamus (comp. <a href="/isaiah/43-24.htm" title="You have bought me no sweet cane with money, neither have you filled me with the fat of your sacrifices: but you have made me to serve with your sins, you have wearied me with your iniquities.">Isaiah 43:24</a>; <a href="/songs/4-14.htm" title="Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:">Song of Solomon 4:14</a>), numbered among the ingredients of the Temple incense. The LXX. renders it by "cinnamon." It came from the "far country" of India The whole passage is a reproduction of the thought of <a href="/context/isaiah/1-11.htm" title="To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to me? said the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.">Isaiah 1:11-13</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - To what purpose... incense from Sheba? This is the answer to an implied objection on the part of the Jews, that they have faithfully fulfilled their core-menial obligations. "To obey is better than sacrifice" (<a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a>); "And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (<a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>; comp. <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11</a>; <a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-24</a>; <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a>; <a href="/micah/6-6.htm">Micah 6:6-8</a>). All these passages must be read in the light of the prophets' circumstances. A purely formal, petrified religion compelled them to attack the existing priesthood, and a holy indignation cannot stop to measure its language. Incense from Sheba; frankincense from south-west Arabia. This was required for the holy incense (<a href="/exodus/30-34.htm">Exodus 30:34</a>), and as an addition to the minkhah, or "meal offering." Sweet cane. The "sweet calamus" of <a href="/exodus/30-23.htm">Exodus 30:23</a>, which was imported from India. It was an ingredient in the holy anointing oil (Exodus, loc. cit.). Not to be confounded with the sugar-cane. <a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/6-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>What use לָמָּה־ (lām·māh-) Preposition-l | Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what to Me לִ֤י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> is frankincense לְבוֹנָה֙ (lə·ḇō·w·nāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3828.htm">Strong's 3828: </a> Frankincense from Sheba מִשְּׁבָ֣א (miš·šə·ḇā) Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7614.htm">Strong's 7614: </a> Sheba -- a territory in soutwest Arabia, also the name of one or more descendant of Noah or sweet הַטּ֖וֹב (haṭ·ṭō·wḇ) Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> Pleasant, agreeable, good cane וְקָנֶ֥ה (wə·qā·neh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7070.htm">Strong's 7070: </a> A reed, a, rod, shaft, tube, stem, the radius, beam from a distant מֶרְחָ֑ק (mer·ḥāq) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4801.htm">Strong's 4801: </a> Remoteness, a distant place, from afar land? מֵאֶ֣רֶץ (mê·’e·reṣ) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land Your burnt offerings עֹלֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ (‘ō·lō·w·ṯê·ḵem) Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5930.htm">Strong's 5930: </a> Whole burnt offering are not acceptable; לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no your sacrifices וְזִבְחֵיכֶ֖ם (wə·ziḇ·ḥê·ḵem) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2077.htm">Strong's 2077: </a> A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice do not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no please עָ֥רְבוּ (‘ā·rə·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6149.htm">Strong's 6149: </a> To be sweet or pleasing Me.” ס (s) Punctuation <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/6-20.htm">Jeremiah 6:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/6-20.htm">Jeremiah 6:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jeremiah/6-20.htm">Jeremiah 6:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/6-20.htm">Jeremiah 6:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/6-20.htm">Jeremiah 6:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/6-20.htm">Jeremiah 6:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/6-20.htm">Jeremiah 6:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/6-20.htm">Jeremiah 6:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/6-20.htm">Jeremiah 6:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jeremiah/6-20.htm">Jeremiah 6:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-20.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 6:20 To what purpose comes there to me (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/6-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 6:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 6:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/6-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 6:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 6:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>