Hosea 6
6. For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7. But they, like Adam, have broken the covenant [H1285][G1242]. They were unfaithful to me, there.
8. Gilead is a city of those who work iniquity; it is stained with blood.
9. As gangs of robbers wait to ambush a man, so the company of priests murder in the way toward Shechem, committing shameful crimes.
Notes and References
Note from Colin Ayres:
In verse 6 God says he desires mercy, not sacrifice.
Though there are animal sacrifices described in other books, this were the desires of humans, not of God. Humans wanted to appease God while eating meat as well. However God desired mercy, not sacrifice. Psalm 50 God says He has no need of sacrifices as all the animals are His.
Finally this very verse is directly reference by our Lord Jesus Himself in Matthew 12
In verse 6 God says he desires mercy, not sacrifice.
Though there are animal sacrifices described in other books, this were the desires of humans, not of God. Humans wanted to appease God while eating meat as well. However God desired mercy, not sacrifice. Psalm 50 God says He has no need of sacrifices as all the animals are His.
Finally this very verse is directly reference by our Lord Jesus Himself in Matthew 12