Proverbs 21:27 kjv

The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

Proverbs 21:27 nkjv

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!

Proverbs 21:27 niv

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable? how much more so when brought with evil intent!

Proverbs 21:27 esv

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.

Proverbs 21:27 nlt

The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable,
especially when it is offered with wrong motives.

Proverbs 21 verses

Proverbs 21 27 Meaning

The sacrifice offered by a wicked person is inherently detestable to the Lord, not because of the offering itself, but because of the nature of the one bringing it. This detestation is compounded and intensified ("how much more") when the wicked individual brings the sacrifice not merely from a depraved heart, but with a specific, calculated evil intention or motive behind the act. God despises religious performance that lacks genuine devotion or is coupled with malicious purpose.

Proverbs 21 27 Context

Proverbs chapter 21 frequently contrasts the path and outcome of the righteous with that of the wicked, emphasizing the importance of right living, just rule, and sincere motives. This verse specifically touches on the theme of religious practice. In ancient Israelite society, sacrifice was a central act of worship and reconciliation with God, mandated by the Mosaic Law. However, as the prophets often lamented, there was a constant temptation for people to perform these rituals mechanically or as a cover for unrighteous living. Proverbs 21:27 places emphasis on the heart and intention behind the ritual, elevating moral integrity and internal disposition above mere outward religious observance. It critiques any belief system, within Israel or neighboring cultures, that holds external appeasement sufficient regardless of internal corruption.

Proverbs 21 27 Word analysis

• The sacrifice (zevach זֶבַח): This refers to a specific type of animal sacrifice, often a communal peace offering, meant for fellowship with God. It represents an act of worship and dedication. The word itself is neutral, but its acceptability is entirely dependent on the offeror and their disposition.
• of the wicked (rasha' רָשָׁע): This denotes an individual who is unrighteous, impious, guilty, or fundamentally astray from God’s ways. It speaks of character and a habitual pattern of sin, not just an isolated act. A "wicked" person's core being is not aligned with God.
• is an abomination (to'evah תּוֹעֵבָה): This is a strong term indicating something detestable, disgusting, or abhorrent to God. It's often used for pagan practices, sexual sins, or unjust weights. When applied to an Israelite sacrifice, it highlights a profound moral repugnance from God’s perspective. It means it is utterly unacceptable and offensive to God's holiness.
• how much more (ki כִּי־כָּר / in conjunction to emphasize): This phrase creates an a fortiori argument – if the basic act is an abomination due to the wicked offeror, how much more so is it an abomination under aggravated circumstances. It indicates a heightened degree of revulsion.
• when he brings it with evil intent (b'zimmah בְּזִמָּה): This is the crux of the verse's intensified condemnation. Zimmah (זִמָּה) implies depraved thought, wicked scheme, lewdness, or evil plan. It goes beyond a general wicked character to suggest a deliberate, calculated, or malicious purpose behind the religious act itself. The sacrifice is not just offered by a wicked person, but for a wicked end, or to deceive, or to justify evil.

Proverbs 21 27 Bonus section

The concept of "zimmah" (wicked intent) being an aggravation factor is crucial. It underscores that while God detests the state of wickedness, He particularly abhors the deliberate perversion of sacred things for ungodly ends. This theme recurs throughout Scripture, emphasizing that ignorance may diminish guilt, but intentional, premeditated evil, especially when masked by religiosity, incurs greater condemnation. The verse acts as a profound ethical and theological statement: outward observance, no matter how precise, cannot compensate for an corrupt inner self or a malicious purpose. It asserts God's moral perfection and His demand for internal consistency from His people, anticipating later prophetic calls for justice, mercy, and humility over ritual.

Proverbs 21 27 Commentary

Proverbs 21:27 starkly reveals God's utter rejection of hypocritical or malevolent religious acts. The core principle is that God values the worshiper's heart and moral standing above the mere performance of rituals. A sacrifice, an act intended to honor God and foster communion, becomes an "abomination" when offered by someone whose life and character are fundamentally opposed to God's righteousness. This is not about the ritual's efficacy itself but the impurity of the hands and heart bringing it.

The intensity escalates when the wicked person's sacrifice is offered "with evil intent." This "evil intent" (b'zimmah) implies a calculated, perverse motive. It could mean seeking to manipulate God, to deceive others about one's true character, to gain prestige while actively committing sin, or even to offer thanks for ill-gotten gains. In such cases, the act of worship itself becomes a part of the wickedness, transforming a sacred rite into a blasphemous mockery. God is not deceived by outward shows of piety; He looks at the heart, the sincerity, and the purpose behind every action, especially those purportedly done in His name. True worship demands integrity.

• Example: A business owner who consistently underpays employees and deceives customers, then offers lavish tithes to the church, using the offering to boost their reputation rather than out of genuine devotion.
• Example: Someone performing religious duties publicly, while privately plotting harm against a neighbor, believing the religious act somehow covers or excuses their malice.