Amo 5:21-24 | JFB | STEP | 21. I hate, I despise-- The two verbs joined without a conjunction express God's strong abhorrence. your feast days-- yours; not Mine; I do not acknowledge them: unlike those in Judah, yours are of human, not divine institution. I will not smell-- that is, I will take no delight in the sacrifices offered ( ; ). in your solemn assemblies-- literally, "days of restraint." is parallel. Isaiah is fuller; Amos, more condensed. Amos condemns Israel not only on the ground of their thinking to satisfy God by sacrifices without obedience (the charge brought by Isaiah against the Jews), but also because even their external ritual was a mere corruption, and unsanctioned by God.

‏ Amos 5:21-24

21. I hate, I despise--The two verbs joined without a conjunction express God's strong abhorrence.

your feast days--yours; not Mine; I do not acknowledge them: unlike those in Judah, yours are of human, not divine institution.

I will not smell--that is, I will take no delight in the sacrifices offered (Ge 8:21; Le 26:31).

in your solemn assemblies--literally, "days of restraint." Is 1:10-15 is parallel. Isaiah is fuller; Amos, more condensed. Amos condemns Israel not only on the ground of their thinking to satisfy God by sacrifices without obedience (the charge brought by Isaiah against the Jews), but also because even their external ritual was a mere corruption, and unsanctioned by God.

22. meat offerings--flour, &c. Unbloody offerings.

peace offerings--offerings for obtaining from God peace and prosperity. Hebrew, "thank offerings."

23. Take ... away from me--literally, "Take away, from upon Me"; the idea being that of a burden pressing upon the bearer. So Is 1:14, "They are a trouble unto Me (literally, 'a burden upon Me'): I am weary to bear them."

the noise of thy songs--The hymns and instrumental music on sacred occasions are to Me nothing but a disagreeable noise.

I will not hear--Isaiah substitutes "prayers" (Is 1:15) for the "songs" and "melody" here; but, like Amos, closes with "I will not hear."

24. judgment--justice.

run down--literally, "roll," that is, flow abundantly (Is 48:18). Without the desire to fulfil righteousness in the offerer, the sacrifice is hateful to God (1Sa 15:22; Psa 66:18; Ho 6:6; Mi 6:8).