Proverbs 21:3
Proverbs 21:3 in Multiple Translations
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
To do what is right and true is more pleasing to the Lord than an offering.
Doing what's right and fair pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.
To doe iustice and iudgement is more acceptable to the Lord then sacrifice.
To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
Doing what is right and fair is more acceptable to Yahweh than bringing sacrifices to him.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 21:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 21:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עֲ֭שֹׂה
צְדָקָ֣ה
וּ/מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
נִבְחָ֖ר
לַ/יהוָ֣ה
מִ/זָּֽבַח
עֲ֭שֹׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Inf-a
צְדָקָ֣ה
tsᵉdâqâh
H6666
righteousness
N-fs
וּ/מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
justice
Conj | N-ms
נִבְחָ֖ר
bâchar
H977
to choose
V-Niphal
לַ/יהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
Prep | N-proper
מִ/זָּֽבַח
zebach
H2077
sacrifice
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 21:3
עֲ֭שֹׂה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Inf-a
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
צְדָקָ֣ה
tsᵉdâqâh
H6666
"righteousness"
N-fs
Encompasses the idea of righteousness, including justice, virtue, and morality, often describing God's attribute or the standard for human behavior. It is used to describe the ideal for personal conduct and societal norms, emphasizing the importance of living a righteous life.
Definition: 1) justice, righteousness 1a) righteousness (in government) 1a1) of judge, ruler, king 1a2) of law 1a3) of Davidic king Messiah 1b) righteousness (of God's attribute) 1c) righteousness (in a case or cause) 1d) righteousness, truthfulness 1e) righteousness (as ethically right) 1f) righteousness (as vindicated), justification, salvation 1f1) of God 1f2) prosperity (of people) 1g) righteous acts Aramaic equivalent: tsid.qah (צִדְקָה "righteousness" H6665)
Usage: Occurs in 150 OT verses. KJV: justice, moderately, right(-eous) (act, -ly, -ness). See also: Genesis 15:6; Proverbs 16:31; Psalms 5:9.
וּ/מִשְׁפָּ֑ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
"justice"
Conj | N-ms
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Usage: Occurs in 406 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. See also: Genesis 18:19; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:5.
נִבְחָ֖ר
bâchar
H977
"to choose"
V-Niphal
To choose or select is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which appears in Deuteronomy. It can also mean to be chosen or elected. The KJV translates it as 'choose' or 'acceptable'.
Definition: 1) to choose, elect, decide for 1a) (Qal) to choose 1b) (Niphal) to be chosen 1c) (Pual) to be chosen, selected
Usage: Occurs in 162 OT verses. KJV: acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require. See also: Genesis 6:2; 2 Kings 23:27; Psalms 25:12.
לַ/יהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
Prep | N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
מִ/זָּֽבַח
zebach
H2077
"sacrifice"
Prep | N-ms
A sacrifice refers to the act of offering an animal's flesh to God, such as in the sacrifices of righteousness or the Passover. This term encompasses various types of sacrifices, including thank offerings and covenant sacrifices. The KJV translates it as 'offer' or 'sacrifice'.
Definition: 1) sacrifice 1a) sacrifices of righteousness 1b) sacrifices of strife 1c) sacrifices to dead things 1d) the covenant sacrifice 1e) the passover 1f) annual sacrifice 1g) thank offering
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: offer(-ing), sacrifice. See also: Genesis 31:54; 1 Samuel 2:19; Psalms 4:6.
Study Notes — Proverbs 21:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 21:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 21:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 21:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 21:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 21:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 21:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 21:3
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 21:3
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 21:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 21:3
- Sermons on Proverbs 21:3
Context — The King’s Heart
1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the guides of the wicked—are sin. 5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 15:22 | 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. |
| 2 | Hosea 6:6 | For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. |
| 3 | Micah 6:6–8 | 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? |
| 4 | Proverbs 15:8 | The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. |
| 5 | Mark 12:33 | and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, which is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” |
| 6 | Isaiah 1:11–17 | “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— your New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations. I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. I hate your New Moons and your appointed feasts. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” |
| 7 | Jeremiah 7:21–23 | This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Add your burnt offerings to your other sacrifices and eat the meat yourselves! For when I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt, I did not merely command them about burnt offerings and sacrifices, but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you. |
| 8 | Psalms 50:8 | I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices, and your burnt offerings are ever before Me. |
Proverbs 21:3 Summary
Proverbs 21:3 teaches us that God is more pleased when we live a life of righteousness and justice than when we just go through the motions of worship or sacrifice. This means being fair, honest, and kind to others, as seen in Matthew 25:31-46, where Jesus separates the sheep from the goats based on how they treated the needy. To do righteousness and justice, we need to seek to live a life that honors God and reflects His love and character, as in Ephesians 5:1-2. By prioritizing righteousness and justice, we can show God that we are truly committed to following Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to do righteousness and justice in Proverbs 21:3?
To do righteousness and justice means to live a life that is morally upright and fair, as seen in Psalm 37:21, where it says that the righteous will give generously, and in Micah 6:8, which instructs us to do justice and love mercy.
Is sacrifice not important to God?
Sacrifice is important to God, as seen in Romans 12:1, where we are called to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, but Proverbs 21:3 emphasizes that doing righteousness and justice is more desirable, as it reflects a heart that truly seeks to please Him, as in 1 Samuel 15:22.
How can I prioritize doing righteousness and justice in my daily life?
You can prioritize doing righteousness and justice by seeking to live a life that honors God, as in Colossians 3:17, and by being mindful of the needs of others, as in Galatians 6:2, where we are called to bear one another's burdens.
Does this verse mean that I should stop attending church or participating in worship services?
No, this verse is not saying that worship or sacrifice is unimportant, but rather that our actions and daily lives should reflect a commitment to righteousness and justice, as seen in Matthew 23:23, where Jesus teaches that justice, mercy, and faithfulness are more important than tithing.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I can do more to promote righteousness and justice, and how can I take action to make a positive impact?
- How can I balance the desire to do good works with the understanding that my righteousness comes from God, as seen in Philippians 3:9?
- What are some ways that I can seek to do justice in my community, and how can I be an advocate for those who are marginalized or oppressed, as in Isaiah 1:17?
- How can I ensure that my heart is motivated by a desire to please God, rather than just going through the motions of religious rituals, as in Proverbs 21:3?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 21:3
To do justice and judgment,.... The moral duties of religion, what is holy, just, and good, which the law requires; what is agreeably to both tables, piety towards God, and justice to men; that which
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 21:3
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. To do justice and judgment (is) more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Moral precepts are the end, positive precepts are the means.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 21:3
Justice and judgment; the conscientious performance of all our duties to men. Than sacrifice; than the most costly outward services offered to God, joined with the neglect of our moral duties to God or men. The same thing is affirmed .
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 21:3
Proverbs 21:3 To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.Ver. 3. Is more acceptable to the Lord.] Qui non vult ex rapina holocaustum, as heathens could see and say by the light of nature. The Jews thought to expiate their miscarriages toward men, and to set off with God by their ceremonies and sacrifices. Some heathens also, as that Roman emperor, could say, Non sic deos coluimus ut ille nos vinceret, We have not been at so much charge with the gods that they should give us up into the enemy’ s hands. But the Scripture gave the Jews to understand that "to obey was better than sacrifice," that God "would have mercy and not sacrifice," and that for a man to "love God above all, and his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burntofferings and sacrifices." The heathens also were told as much by their sages, as Plato in his book intituled περιπροσευχης, where Socrates, reprehending the gilt horned bulls of the Greeks, and the sumptuous sacrifices of the Trojans at length infers - καιγαρανδεινονεη, &c. It were a grievous thing if the gods should more respect men’ s offerings and sacrifices than the holiness of their hearts, and the righteousness of their lives, &c. Aristotle in his Rhetorics, ‘Oυκεικος Yεονχαιρεινταιςδαπαναις, &c., saith he. It is not likely that God takes pleasure in the costliness of sacrifices, but rather in the good conversation of the sacrificers.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 21:3
(3) To do justice and judgment, &c—See above on Proverbs 10:2. Is more acceptable than sacrifice.—See above on 15:8.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 21:3
Verse 3. To do justice and judgment] The words of Samuel to Saul. 1 Samuel 15:23.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 21:3
3. Comp. 1 Samuel 15:22; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 21:3
Compare the marginal reference. The words have a special significance as coming from the king who had built the temple, and had offered sacrifices that could not be numbered for multitude” 1 Kings 8:5.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 21:3
3. More acceptable — Is chosen, is preferred. “This maxim was a bold saying then; it is a bold saying still; but it well unites the wisdom of Solomon with that of his father David, in the Fifty-first
Sermons on Proverbs 21:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice, and To by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the biblical principle that obedience to God is far more valuable than mere sacrifices, as illustrated in 1 Samuel 15:22. He warns against the tendency to sep |
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Righteousness Exalts a Nation by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes that righteousness is the true foundation for a nation's greatness, contrasting it with the futility of wealth, military power, and political strategy. He |
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Witchcraft in the Church by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the dangers of seeking power and position in the work of God without paying the right price. He uses the story of Simon in the book of Acts a |
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Ark Error by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher expresses concern about the mechanical and superficial nature of preaching the gospel. He criticizes the reliance on books and conferences, emphasizing |
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The Greatest Sin in the Church by Stephen Olford | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the greatest sin in the Church and aims to uncover what it is. The sermon begins by referencing 1 Samuel 15:22, where Samuel questions the i |
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A Look at Authority 1: Spiritual & False by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the concept of authority in serving. He refers to Mark 10:45, where Jesus states that he came not to be served, but to serve and give his li |
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Prevailing Prayer by Gerhard Du Toit | In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of evangelism in Africa and Scotland, where they would spend several weeks before making any invitations to allow people to be con |