Old Testament

Jeremiah 7:22

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, God reminds the people of Israel that when He delivered their ancestors from slavery in Egypt, He did not focus on rituals like burnt offerings or sacrifices.

Author
Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
Written
Around 600 BC
Genre
Prophecy
Original Audience
Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
CBTClear Bible Translation

When I brought your ancestors out of Egypt, I didn't say a word to them about burnt offerings or sacrifices.

KJVKing James Version

For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, God reminds the people of Israel that when He delivered their ancestors from slavery in Egypt, He did not focus on rituals like burnt offerings or sacrifices. Instead, His primary concern was their obedience and relationship with Him. This highlights that God values genuine faith and commitment over mere religious practices. The Israelites had become overly focused on rituals, thinking that performing sacrifices would please God, but He emphasizes that true worship comes from the heart and involves following His commands. This serves as a reminder that God desires a personal relationship with His people rather than empty rituals that lack sincerity.

How to apply Jeremiah 7:22 to your life

This verse encourages us to examine our own worship practices. Are we merely going through the motions of religious activities, or are we genuinely seeking to obey God and build a relationship with Him? True worship involves our hearts and actions aligning with His will.

Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Jeremiah 7:22 mean?

Jeremiah 7:22 means that when God freed the Israelites from Egypt, He did not emphasize rituals like burnt offerings or sacrifices. Instead, He wanted them to focus on their obedience and relationship with Him.

What is the significance of burnt offerings in Jeremiah 7:22?

In Jeremiah 7:22, burnt offerings represent the religious rituals that the Israelites had become overly focused on. God highlights that He values genuine obedience and a heartfelt relationship over mere ritualistic practices.

How does Jeremiah 7:22 apply to modern worship?

Jeremiah 7:22 encourages modern worshippers to reflect on their practices. It prompts individuals to consider whether they are genuinely seeking a relationship with God or just going through the motions of religious activities.

What does God desire according to Jeremiah 7:22?

According to Jeremiah 7:22, God desires a sincere relationship and obedience from His people rather than mere adherence to rituals like sacrifices. He wants worship that comes from the heart.

The Book of Jeremiah
Book Summary

The Book of Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1: The Call of Jeremiah

The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, a priest from Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, are recorded. The word of the LORD comes to him in the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign over Judah. It continues to come to him through the reign of King Jehoiakim and until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah, when Jerusalem is carried into captivity. The LORD states that before He formed Jeremiah in the womb, He knew him and ordained him as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah responds that he cannot speak because he is a child. The LORD commands him not to say he is a child, for he will go where the LORD sends him and speak what the LORD commands.

Premium

Unlock the full Jeremiah summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Jeremiah — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 52 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Jeremiah summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

or

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.