Proverbs 21:27 - Meaning and Application

Sacrifices were set up by God. When people offered them in faith, with repentance and a changed life, God was honored by them and pleased with them. But sacrifices were often not only unacceptable, but an abomination to him, and he said so. This showed that sacrifices were never needed for their own sake, and that better things were coming, things that would have real power after sacrifice and offering were done away with.

They were an abomination when wicked people brought them, because they did not truly repent, turn from sin, or change their lives, which is the true purpose of sacrifice. Cain brought his offering. Even wicked people may take part in the outward acts of worship. Many are willing to give God their animals, their words, or their outward acts of respect, but not their hearts; the Pharisees gave alms. Yet if the person is an abomination to God, as every wicked person is, then the act itself cannot be pleasing. Some read the end of the verse this way: even if their offerings are always before God (Psalm 50:8), they are still an abomination to him.

They were much worse when brought with wicked intentions. Then the sacrifices were not only mixed with evil, but helped it, like Absalom's vow, Jezebel's fast, and the Pharisees' long prayers. When people act devout so they can carry out greedy or hateful plans more easily, when they pretend holiness but mean wickedness, then the whole act is especially hateful to God (Isaiah 66:5).