Jeremiah 6:20
New International Version
What do I care about incense from Sheba or sweet calamus from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me.”

New Living Translation
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.”

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.”

New American Standard Bible
“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.”

NASB 1995
“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.”

NASB 1977
“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.”

Legacy Standard Bible
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.”

Amplified Bible
“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.”

Christian Standard Bible
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
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!

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
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.

Good News Translation
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.

International Standard Version
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."

Majority Standard Bible
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.”

NET Bible
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.'

New Heart English Bible
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.'

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
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.”

Young's Literal Translation
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.

Smith's Literal Translation
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.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
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.”

New American Bible
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.

New Revised Standard Version
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.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
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
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
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.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jerusalem's Final Warning
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. 20What 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.” 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.”…

Cross References
Isaiah 1:11-15
“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. ...

Amos 5:21-23
“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.

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?

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Psalm 51:16-17
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.

Proverbs 21:3
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Isaiah 66:3
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.

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.

Malachi 1:10
“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.

Matthew 9:13
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 12:7
If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

Mark 7:6-7
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.’

Hebrews 10:5-6
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.

1 Corinthians 13:3
If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Romans 12:1-2
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.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

Psalm 40:6
Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

Psalm 50:7-13,16,17
Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God…

Psalm 66:3
Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

Sheba.

1 Kings 10:1,2,10
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…

Isaiah 60:6
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.

Ezekiel 27:22
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.

Isaiah 43:23,24
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.

Jeremiah 7:21-23
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh…

Jump to Previous
Acceptable Beasts Burned Burnt Burnt-Offerings Calamus Cane Care Country Distant Far Frankincense Incense Offerings Perfume Please Pleasing Pleasure Purpose Sacrifices Sheba Spices Sweet
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Acceptable Beasts Burned Burnt Burnt-Offerings Calamus Cane Care Country Distant Far Frankincense Incense Offerings Perfume Please Pleasing Pleasure Purpose Sacrifices Sheba Spices Sweet
Jeremiah 6
1. The enemies sent against Judah,
4. encourage themselves.
6. God sets them on work because of their sins.
9. The prophet laments the judgments of God because of their sins.
18. He proclaims God's wrath.
26. He calls the people to mourn for the judgment on their sins.














What use to Me
This phrase indicates God's questioning of the value or purpose of the offerings being presented to Him. In the Hebrew context, the word "use" (Hebrew: מַה־לִּי, mah-li) suggests a sense of utility or benefit. God is challenging the people of Judah to consider the true worth of their religious rituals when their hearts are far from Him. This reflects a recurring biblical theme where God desires obedience and genuine devotion over mere ritualistic practices (1 Samuel 15:22).

is frankincense from Sheba
Frankincense was a valuable resin used in worship and was often imported from Sheba, a region known for its wealth and trade in spices. The mention of "Sheba" highlights the costliness and exotic nature of the offering. However, God is emphasizing that even the most precious gifts are meaningless if offered without true repentance and faith. This underscores the biblical principle that God values the heart's condition over material offerings (Isaiah 1:11-17).

or sweet cane from a distant land?
Sweet cane, or calamus, was another aromatic plant used in sacred anointing oils and incense. The phrase "from a distant land" suggests the effort and expense involved in acquiring such items. Yet, God is pointing out that the physical distance or rarity of the offering does not compensate for a lack of spiritual sincerity. This serves as a reminder that God is not impressed by external displays of piety but seeks a relationship with His people based on truth and integrity (Micah 6:6-8).

Your burnt offerings are not acceptable
Burnt offerings were central to Israelite worship, symbolizing atonement and dedication to God. The Hebrew word for "acceptable" (רָצוֹן, ratzon) implies pleasure or favor. Here, God declares that these offerings do not bring Him pleasure because they are offered without genuine repentance. This echoes the prophetic call for a return to heartfelt worship and justice, as seen in the messages of other prophets like Amos and Hosea (Amos 5:21-24).

your sacrifices do not please Me
Sacrifices were meant to be acts of worship and reconciliation with God. The Hebrew root for "please" (חָפֵץ, chafetz) conveys delight or desire. God's rejection of these sacrifices indicates that the people's religious activities are hollow and fail to meet His standards of righteousness. This serves as a powerful reminder that God desires a contrite heart and a life aligned with His will over empty rituals (Psalm 51:16-17).

(20) Incense from Sheba.--The land that had a proverbial fame both for gold and frankincense (Isaiah 60:6; Ezekiel 27:22), the thus Sabaeum of Virg., 'n. i. 416, 417. So Milton, Par. Lost, 4--

"Sabaean odours from the spicy shores

Of Araby the blest."

So the Queen of Sheba brought spices and gold (1Kings 10:10).

The sweet cane.--Literally, the good cane, or, as in Exodus 30:23, sweet calamus (comp. Isaiah 43:24; Song of Solomon 4:14), 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 Isaiah 1:11-13. . . .

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" (1 Samuel 15:22); "And what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8; comp. Isaiah 1:11; Amos 5:21-24; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8). 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 (Exodus 30:34), and as an addition to the minkhah, or "meal offering." Sweet cane. The "sweet calamus" of Exodus 30:23, 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
What use
לָמָּה־ (lām·māh-)
Preposition-l | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

to Me
לִ֤י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

is frankincense
לְבוֹנָה֙ (lə·ḇō·w·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3828: Frankincense

from Sheba
מִשְּׁבָ֣א (miš·šə·ḇā)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7614: 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
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

cane
וְקָנֶ֥ה (wə·qā·neh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7070: A reed, a, rod, shaft, tube, stem, the radius, beam

from a distant
מֶרְחָ֑ק (mer·ḥāq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4801: Remoteness, a distant place, from afar

land?
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ (mê·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

Your burnt offerings
עֹלֽוֹתֵיכֶם֙ (‘ō·lō·w·ṯê·ḵem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

are not acceptable;
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

your sacrifices
וְזִבְחֵיכֶ֖ם (wə·ziḇ·ḥê·ḵem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 2077: A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrifice

do not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

please
עָ֥רְבוּ (‘ā·rə·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6149: To be sweet or pleasing

Me.”
ס (s)
Punctuation
Strong's Hebrew


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 6:20 To what purpose comes there to me (Jer.)
Jeremiah 6:19
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