Proverbs 15:8 kjv
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Proverbs 15:8 nkjv
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Proverbs 15:8 niv
The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
Proverbs 15:8 esv
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
Proverbs 15:8 nlt
The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
Proverbs 15 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 15:22 | Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice... | Obedience over sacrifice. |
| Psa 34:15 | The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. | God hears the righteous. |
| Psa 50:8-15 | "I will not reprove you for your sacrifices... Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving..." | True worship is heart-felt. |
| Psa 51:16-17 | For You do not desire sacrifice... The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart... | God desires a contrite heart. |
| Psa 66:18-19 | If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened... | Iniquity hinders prayer. |
| Prov 21:27 | The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent. | Wicked's sacrifice with evil intent. |
| Prov 28:9 | If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. | Disobedience makes prayer detestable. |
| Isa 1:11-15 | "What to Me is the multitude of your sacrifices?... I have had enough of burnt offerings... I will hide My eyes from you..." | God rejects ritual without righteousness. |
| Jer 6:20 | To what purpose does frankincense come to Me...? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices pleasing to Me. | Rituals rejected due to evil deeds. |
| Hos 6:6 | For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. | God desires mercy and knowledge. |
| Amos 5:21-24 | "I hate, I despise your feasts... even though you offer Me burnt offerings... I will not accept them... but let justice roll down like waters..." | God despises feasts lacking justice. |
| Mic 6:6-8 | With what shall I come before the LORD...? He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? | Righteous conduct over ritual. |
| Mal 1:7-8 | You offer polluted food on My altar... 'The table of the LORD is contemptible'... You bring what is stolen... 'Should I accept this from your hand?' | Contempt for God's altar and offerings. |
| Mt 6:5-7 | "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites... for they love to stand and pray... Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." | Prayer must be sincere, not for show. |
| Mk 12:41-44 | Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the crowd put money into the treasury... But a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins... Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them... | God values sincerity over amount. |
| Jn 9:31 | We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, God listens to him. | God listens to the worshipper who does His will. |
| 1 Pet 3:12 | For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. | God attends to the righteous's prayers. |
| Jas 5:16 | The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. | Effective prayer comes from righteousness. |
| Heb 10:4-10 | For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins... "Sacrifices and offerings You have not desired... Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.'" | Christ's perfect sacrifice replaces animal. |
| Rom 12:1 | I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. | True worship is a life presented to God. |
| Phil 4:6 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. | God delights in sincere communication. |
Proverbs 15 verses
Proverbs 15 8 Meaning
Proverbs 15:8 presents a clear antithetical truth about God's nature and preferences. It states that the rituals or offerings made by those who are morally corrupt are detestable to the LORD. In stark contrast, the earnest communication (prayer) of those who live with integrity and righteousness brings pleasure and favor to Him. This verse emphasizes that God prioritizes the internal character and heart condition of an individual over the outward religious performance or ceremonial observance.
Proverbs 15 8 Context
Proverbs 15 forms part of the "Proverbs of Solomon," contrasting the way of the wise and the way of the foolish. The chapter broadly covers themes of wise and foolish speech, God's omniscience, wealth, righteousness, and humility. Verse 8, like many in Proverbs, uses antithetical parallelism, juxtaposing two opposing ideas to highlight a fundamental truth. Historically and culturally, sacrifice was a cornerstone of Israelite worship and atonement under the Mosaic Law. However, this verse, in line with prophetic tradition (e.g., Isa 1, Amos 5, Mic 6), implicitly criticizes mere ritualism that lacks moral integrity and genuine devotion. It serves as a polemic against the idea that outward religious acts alone, particularly when performed by the unrighteous, could truly appease God.
Proverbs 15 8 Word analysis
- sacrifice (זֶבַח, zevakh): Refers to animal or meal offerings. In the ancient Near East and Israel, sacrifice was a common religious practice for atonement, communion, and thanksgiving. Here, the emphasis is on the intent and character behind the offering, not the act itself. God looks beyond the ritual to the heart.
- wicked (רְשָׁעִים, resha'im): Plural for "wicked ones." Denotes individuals who are morally perverse, rebellious against God's law, and commit injustice. Their "wickedness" implies an inner condition that makes their external religious acts void of sincerity and acceptance.
- abomination (תּוֹעֵבָה, to'evah): A strong Hebrew term meaning something detestable, disgusting, or abhorrent to God. It is frequently used for idolatry, perversion, and unjust acts (e.g., Prov 6:16-19, Lev 18:22, Deut 18:12). Its usage here highlights God's utter rejection of worship from a corrupted heart.
- LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): The covenant name of God, revealing Him as the personal, unchanging, and sovereign God of Israel. It underscores that it is the Holy and Just God who has these preferences and rejections.
- prayer (תְפִלָּה, tefillah): Refers to supplication, intercession, or general communion with God. Unlike "sacrifice" which can be ritual, "prayer" implies direct, personal address, reflecting a relationship.
- upright (יְשָׁרִים, yesharim): Plural for "upright ones." Refers to those who are morally straight, honest, just, and walk in integrity before God. Their lives align with God's will, fostering a pure heart that can genuinely approach God.
- delight (רָצוֹן, ratson): This term conveys God's favor, pleasure, good will, or acceptance. It implies that the prayer of the upright is welcomed, desired, and brings joy to God. It stands in direct contrast to "abomination."
- The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: This phrase underscores God's assessment of religious performance without righteousness. It implies that outward acts of piety from unrepentant hearts are offensive because they attempt to use ritual to cover or compensate for inward evil, rather than expressing true devotion. God sees through pretense.
- but the prayer of the upright is his delight: This counterpoint emphasizes the value of heartfelt, sincere communication stemming from a pure life. God values authenticity and relationship, indicated by obedience and righteousness, above empty religious ritual. It shows His receptiveness to those genuinely seeking Him.
Proverbs 15 8 Bonus section
This proverb serves as a crucial theological boundary, cautioning against 'works-based righteousness' divorced from the heart. It informs our understanding that genuine worship is rooted in the "spirit and truth" (Jn 4:24), meaning an inner authenticity and conformity to God's nature. It’s not about what is offered, but who offers it and how their life aligns with God's will. For believers today, this means that even acts of service, tithing, or church attendance, if done without a sincere, repentant heart, or while living in known sin, are far less pleasing to God than simple, heartfelt prayer from one striving for righteousness. The ultimate sacrifice pleasing to God is Christ's (Heb 10:4-10), and through Him, believers are called to offer themselves as "living sacrifices" (Rom 12:1), indicating a life devoted to God.
Proverbs 15 8 Commentary
Proverbs 15:8 distills a profound spiritual principle found throughout Scripture: God values the heart above mere outward religious observance. For the wicked, whose lives are characterized by rebellion against God's ways and injustice, even their attempts at worship through sacrifice are rejected and considered an "abomination." This is not because God disdains sacrifices themselves (they were commanded in the Law), but because the person presenting them lacks genuine faith, repentance, or obedience. Their offering is an empty form, a hypocrisy, or perhaps an attempt to bribe God or manipulate Him. Conversely, the "prayer of the upright" is His "delight." Those who walk in integrity, righteousness, and humility find that their direct communication with God is cherished by Him. God desires relationship and a righteous heart more than ritualistic compliance. This truth implies that right living is foundational to effective and pleasing worship.