What does Micah 6:6-8 mean?

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

He may likewise be discovered in the following passage of Micah, saying: He has showed you, O man, what is good;

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

And again Moses says: “And now Israel, what doth the thy God require of thee, but to fear the thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul?” Now these things did indeed make man glorious, by supplying what was wanting to him, namely, the friendship of God;

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

burnt-offerings also for sin Thou hast not required.” He thus teaches them that God desires obedience, which renders them secure, rather than sacrifices and holocausts, which avail them nothing towards righteousness;

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Supporting witness

Thou wilt not delight in burnt-offerings. The sacrifice [acceptable] to God is a bruised spirit;

Tatian, The Diatessaron Supporting witness

...oul, and with all his strength, and that he should love his neighbor as himself, is better than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, and he answered and said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God. You have spoken rightly. Do this, and you shall live.” But he, because he wanted to justify himself, said to him, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus said to him, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and robbers fell upon him. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him barely alive. It happened that a certain priest came down that way. He saw him and passed by. In the same way, a Levite also came and reached that place. He saw him and passed by. But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came to the place where he was. When he saw him, he had compassion on him. He came near, bound up his wounds, and poured wine and oil on them. Then he set him on the donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two pence, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. And if you spend more on him, when I return I will repay you.’ Which of these three, then, do you think was nearest to

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness

...which was their salvation and glory, He declares through Jeremiah: "Thus says the Lord: Gather your burnt offerings with your sacrifices and eat the meat. For I did not speak to your ancestors or command them concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices on the day I brought them out of Egypt. Instead, I commanded them, saying, Listen to My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and walk in all the ways I have commanded you, that it may be well with you. But they did not obey or listen; instead, they followed their own evil hearts and went backward, not forward." Again, He declares through the same man, "But let the one who boasts, boast in this: that they understand and know that I am the Lord, who exercises loving-kindness, righteousness, and judgment on the earth;" He adds, "For in these things I delight, says the Lord," but not in sacrifices or burnt offerings, or oblations. For the people did not receive these commandments as primary, but as secondary, and for the previously mentioned reason, as Isaiah again says: "You have not brought Me the sheep of your burnt offerings, nor have you glorified Me with your sacrifices. You have not served Me with sacrifices,

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

... sacrifices also: "What is the purpose of your many sacrifices to me?" says the Lord. "I am full of burnt offerings of rams. I do not want the fat of lambs, or the blood of bulls and goats, or for you to come and appear before me. Who has required this from your hands? You shall no longer tread my court. If you bring fine flour, your worthless offering is an abomination to me. I cannot endure your new moons and your Sabbaths." Isaiah 1:11-14 How, then, shall I sacrifice to the Lord? "The sacrifice of the Lord," He says, "is a broken heart." How, then, shall I crown myself, or anoint myself with ointment, or offer incense to the Lord? "A pleasing fragrance," it says, "is the heart that glorifies Him who made it." These are God's crowns and sacrifices, fragrant aromas, and flowers.

Micah 6:6 Supporting witness

“With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?

Justin Martyr, The First Apology Background

and if ye bring fine flour, incense, it is abomination unto Me: the fat of lambs and the blood of bulls I do not desire.

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Background

But what can we say about David, to whom such testimony was given, and of whom God said, “I have found a man after My own heart, David the son of Jesse; and in everlasting mercy have I anointed him?” Yet this very man says to God, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, according to Your great mercy; and according to the multitude of Your compassions, blot out my transgression. Wash me even more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my sin is always before me. Against You only have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words and prevail when You are judged. For, behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in my sins, my mother conceived me. For, behold, You have loved truth; the secret and hidden things of wisdom You have shown me. You will sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You will wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. You will make me hear joy and gladness; my bones, which have been humbled, shall rejoice. Turn away Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do n

Aristides, The Apology Background

... claim that deity can have something lacking. For they say that He receives sacrifices and requires burnt offerings, drink offerings, human sacrifices, and temples. But God is in need of nothing, and none of these things is necessary for Him. It is clear that men are mistaken in these things that they imagine.

Anonymous, Treatise Against the Heretic Novatian Background

...ld His righteousness; and she who is my enemy shall see me and shall cover herself with confusion," Micah 7:8-10.

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Background

Abraham, known as "the friend," was found faithful because he obeyed the words of God. In his act of obedience, he left his own country, his relatives, and his father's house, to leave behind a small territory, a weak family, and an insignificant home so he could inherit God's promises. For God told him, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation, bless you, and make your name great, and you will be blessed. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you, and through you, all the families of the earth will be blessed." Again, when he parted from Lot, God said to him, "Look up, and from where you are, look north, south, east, and west; all the land you see, I will give to you and your descendants forever. I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth, so if anyone could count the dust of the earth, then your descendants could be counted." And again, the Scripture says, "God brought Abram out and said to him, 'Look up now to heaven and count the stars if you can; so shall your descendants be.' And Abram believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Because of

Cyprian, Epistles Background

...self the grace of Christ. Further, it is from the Eucharist that the baptized are anointed with the oil sanctified on the altar. But one who has neither an altar nor a church cannot sanctify the created thing of oil. Therefore there also can be no spiritual anointing among heretics, since it is clear that among them the oil cannot be sanctified nor the Eucharist celebrated at all. But we ought to know and remember that it is written, “Let not the oil of a sinner anoint my head,” which the Holy Spirit warned about beforehand in the Psalms, lest anyone who has gone out of the way and wandered from the path of truth should be anointed by heretics and adversaries of Christ. Besides, what prayer can a priest who is impious and a sinner offer for a baptized person? Since it is written, “God does not hear a sinner; but if any man is a worshiper of God and does His will, him He hears.” John 9:31 Moreover, who can give what he himself does not have? Or how can he carry out spiritual acts when he himself has lost the Holy Spirit? And therefore, the one who comes inexperienced to the Church must be baptized and renewed, so that he may be sanctified within by those who are holy, since it is

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Background

The author and founder of these empty practices among the Romans was that Sabine king who especially occupied the rough and ignorant minds of men with new superstitions. So that he might do this with some authority, he pretended that he met at night with the goddess Egeria. There was a very dark cave in the grove of Aricia, and from it flowed a stream from an unfailing spring. He usually went there by himself, with no witnesses, so that he could pretend that, by the advice of the goddess, his wife, he was giving the people those sacred rites that were most pleasing to the gods. It is clear that he wanted to copy the cunning of Minos, who hid himself in the cave of Jupiter and, after staying there a long time, brought out laws as if Jupiter had given them to him. In this way, he could bind men to obedience not only by the authority of his rule, but also by the sanction of religion. And it was not hard to persuade shepherds. Therefore he appointed pontiffs, priests, Salii, and augurs. He arranged the gods in families. By these means he softened the fierce spirits of the new people and turned them away from warlike matters to the pursuit of peace. But though he deceived others, he did

Ignatius, Epistles of Ignatius Background

But time would fail me if I tried to list all those who pleased God in their youth, having been entrusted by God with the roles of prophet, priest, or king. The ones I have mentioned should be enough to bring the subject to your remembrance. I ask you not to consider me presumptuous or showy in writing as I have. I have presented these statements not to instruct you, but simply to remind my father in God. I know my own position and do not compare myself to you. I greet your holy clergy and your Christ-loving people who are guided under your care as their pastor. All the faithful with us greet you. Pray, blessed shepherd, that I may be in health with respect to God.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Background

...nd He also adds, speaking to the people: "Behold, I will judge between sheep and sheep, and between rams and rams. Was it a small thing for you to eat up the good pasture, and to tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture, so that the sheep ate what was trodden down by your feet?" And a little later He adds: "And you shall know that I am the Lord, and you the sheep of my pasture; you are my men, and I am your God, says the Lord God."

Tertullian, Apology Background

...have answered well enough the charges of the many crimes on which these fierce demands are made for Christian blood. We have fully presented our case. We have shown how we can prove that what we say is true, from the trustworthiness and antiquity of our sacred writings, and also from the confession of the powers of spiritual wickedness themselves. Who will dare to refute us, not with skill in words, but, as we have made our demonstration, on the basis of reality? But while the truth we hold is made clear to all, unbelief meanwhile, even at the very time when it is convinced of the worth of Christianity, now well known both for its benefits and from the intercourse of life, takes up the idea that it is not really something divine, but rather a kind of philosophy. "These are the very things," it says, "that the philosophers advise and profess: innocence, justice, patience, sobriety, and chastity." Why then are we not allowed the same freedom and immunity for our teachings that they have, when we are compared with them in what we teach? Or why are they not also forced to the same acts, by refusing which our lives are put in danger, if they are so much like us? For who forces a phil

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Background

... ministry assigned to him. Not everywhere, brothers, are the daily sacrifices offered, or the peace-offerings, or the sin-offerings, and the trespass-offerings, but only in Jerusalem. And even there they are not offered just anywhere, but only at the altar before the temple, after being carefully examined by the high priest and the ministers already mentioned. Those, therefore, who do anything beyond what is agreeable to His will, are punished with death. You see, brothers, that the greater the knowledge granted to us, the greater also is the danger to which we are exposed.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Background

For Micah announced that He would give a new law, in these terms: Micah 4:2-3 The law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Background

...in this way: "Why do you bring to me frankincense from Saba, and cinnamon from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, and your sacrifices are not sweet to me." And afterward: "Gather your burnt offerings together with your sacrifices, and eat flesh. For I did not command you, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices," in Jeremiah 7:21-22. And He says through Isaiah: "To what purpose do you bring me a multitude of sacrifices? says the Lord. I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and I will not accept the fat of lambs, and the blood of bulls and of goats. Nor do you come and appear before me; for who has required these things at your hands? Do not go on to tread my courts any more. If you bring me fine flour, it is vain. Incense is an abomination to me. Your new moons, and your Sabbaths, and your great day, I cannot bear. Your fasts, and your rests, and your feasts, my soul hates. I am overfull of them." And He says through another prophet: "Depart from me; the sound of your hymns, and the psalms of your musical instruments, I will not hear." And Samuel says to Saul, when he thought to sacrifice: "Obedience is bett

Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus Background

...nointed? And what person, when entering this life or going into the gymnasium, is not anointed with oil? What work has any decoration or beauty unless it is anointed and polished? Even the air and everything under heaven is, in a certain way, anointed by light and spirit. So are you unwilling to be anointed with the oil of God? Therefore we are called Christians for this reason: because we are anointed with the oil of God.

Hippolytus, Exegetical Fragments Background

And she said to her maids, "Bring me oil." For faith and love prepare oil and ointments for those who are washed. But what were these ointments except the commandments of the holy Word? And what was the oil except the power of the Holy Spirit, by which believers are anointed like ointment after the washing? All these things were shown in figure in the blessed Susannah, for our sake. This was so that we who now believe in God would not think the things now done in the Church are strange, but would believe that all of them were set forth beforehand in figure by the patriarchs of old, as the apostle also says: "Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the world have come."

Arnobius, Against the Heathen Background

...ing their order, what basis is there for the claim that a plague was brought on the earth after the Christian religion came into the world and revealed the mysteries of hidden truth? "But," my opponents say, "the gods bring pestilences, droughts, wars, famines, locusts, mice, hailstones, and other harmful things on us, things by which the property of men is attacked. They do this because they are angry at your wrongdoings and your transgressions." If it were not foolish to spend time on matters that are already clear and need no defense, I would certainly show, by unfolding the history of past ages, that these evils you speak of were not unknown and did not come suddenly. I would show that plagues did not burst upon us, and that human affairs did not begin to be attacked by many kinds of dangers, from the time that our sect received the honor of this name. For if we are to blame, and if these plagues have been devised against our sin, from where did antiquity know these names for disasters? From where did it give a name to wars? By what understanding could it describe pestilence and hailstorms? Or how could it introduce these terms into its language, by which speech was made cle

Micah 6:8 Direct teaching

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Clement of Rome, Connection to Luke 6:36 Supporting witness

For thus He spoke: "Be merciful, that you may obtain mercy; forgive, that it may be forgiven to you; as you do, so shall it be done unto you; as you judge, so shall you be judged; as you are kind, so shall kindness be shown to you; with what measure you measure, with the same it shall be measured to you." By this precept and by these rules let us establish ourselves, that we walk with all humility in obedience to His holy words.

Didache, Connection to Matthew 5:7 Supporting witness

Let him also be merciful; for again it is said: "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."

Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas Supporting witness

..., and your healing shall quickly spring up, and righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of God shall surround you; and then you shall call, and God shall hear you; while you are still speaking, He shall say, Here I am with you; if you remove from yourself the chain binding others, and the spreading of hands to swear falsely, and words of murmuring, and willingly give your bread to the hungry, and show compassion to the soul that has been humbled.” Therefore, brothers, He is patient, knowing how the people He has prepared will sincerely believe in His Beloved. For He revealed all these things to us beforehand, so that we should not rush forward as reckless acceptors of their laws.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

... Kings, during the drought and famine, that widow had used up everything. From the little flour and oil that were left, she made a cake on the ashes. After using that, she was about to die with her children. Then Elijah came and asked that something first be given to him to eat, and after that she and her children should eat what remained. She did not hesitate to obey, nor did the mother in her hunger and poverty put her children before Elijah. Yes, in God's sight a thing was done that pleased God: what was asked for was offered promptly and generously. It was not a part taken from abundance, but the whole given out of a little. Another was fed before her hungry children. Even in poverty and need, food was not thought of before mercy. So, while in a saving work the life according to the flesh is treated as of little account, the soul according to the Spirit is preserved. Therefore Elijah, being a type of Christ and showing that in His mercy He returns to each person his reward, answered and said, "Thus says the Lord, The jar of flour shall not fail, and the jug of oil shall not run out, until the day that the Lord gives rain upon the earth." 1 Kings 17:14 According to her faith

Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Supporting witness

...he will of God. In this way, they will secure a fruitful and perfect remembrance from us, with sympathy for them, both in our prayers to God and our mention of them to the saints. Let us accept correction, beloved, for which no one should feel displeased. The exhortations by which we admonish one another are both good in themselves and highly profitable, for they tend to unite us to the will of God. For thus says the holy Word: “The Lord has severely chastened me, yet has not given me over to death.” “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” “The righteous,” it says, “shall chasten me in mercy and reprove me; but let not the oil of sinners make my head fat.” And again, it says, “Blessed is the man whom the Lord reproves, and do not reject the warning of the Almighty. For He causes sorrow, and again restores to gladness; He wounds, and His hands make whole. He shall deliver you in six troubles, yes, in the seventh no evil shall touch you. In famine He shall rescue you from death, and in war He shall free you from the power of the sword. From the scourge of the tongue will He hide you, and you shall not fear when evil comes. You shall laugh at

Hosea 6:6 Background

For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Zechariah 7:9 Background

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:

Isaiah 1:17 Background

learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.

Jeremiah 22:3 Background

Thus says the LORD: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.

Luke 6:36 Background

Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Matthew 5:7 Background

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Luke 7:9 Background

Thus saith the Lord Almighty; Judge righteous judgment, and deal mercifully and compassionately every one with his brother:

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Background

Remember him who said: Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty: I have not exercised myself in great matters, nor in things too high for me; but I was humble.

Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas Background

Now what do you suppose this to be a type of, that a command was given to Israel, that men of the greatest wickedness should offer a heifer, and slay and burn it, and, that then boys should take the ashes, and put these into vessels, and bind round a stick purple wool along with hyssop, and that thus the boys should sprinkle the people, one by one, in order that they might be purified from their sins?

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Background

Be merciful, says the Lord, that you may receive mercy;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Background

Be merciful; for blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Background

Zechariah 8:16 by Jeremiah, Execute judgment and righteousness; Jeremiah 22:3 by Isaiah, Judge the fatherless, plead for the widow, Isaiah 1:17 charging it as a fault upon the vine of Sorech, that when He looked for righteousness therefrom, there was only a cry Isaiah 5:7 (of oppression).

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Background

For the law says, Walk after the Lord your God, and keep my commandments.

Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus Background

Isaiah 66:5 And the Gospel says: Love your enemies, and pray for them that despitefully use you.

Barnabas, The Epistle of Barnabas Background

...o travel to the appointed place, they must be zealous in their works. The knowledge given to us for walking this path is as follows. You shall love Him who created you; you shall glorify Him who redeemed you from death. You shall be pure in heart, and rich in spirit. You shall not join yourself to those who walk the path of death. You shall hate doing anything unpleasing to God; you shall hate all hypocrisy. You shall not forsake the commandments of the Lord. You shall not exalt yourself but shall be humble. You shall not take glory for yourself. You shall not take evil counsel against your neighbor. You shall not allow over-boldness into your soul. You shall not commit fornication; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not corrupt youth. You shall not speak the word of God with any impurity. You shall not show favoritism when you reprove someone for transgression. You shall be meek; you shall be peaceable. You shall tremble at the words you hear. You shall not hold grudges against your brother. You shall not doubt whether something will happen or not. You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain. You shall love your neighbor more than your own soul. You shall not kill a c

Cyprian, Treatises Background

...en it. He answered and said, "Truly I say to you, that widow has put more than all of them into the offerings of God. For all these have put into the offerings of God out of their abundance; but she, out of her poverty, has put in all the living that she had," Luke 21:3-4. A greatly blessed and glorious woman, who even before the day of judgment deserved to be praised by the voice of the Judge! Let the rich be ashamed of their barrenness and unbelief. The widow, the widow poor in resources, is found rich in works. And although everything that is given is bestowed on widows and orphans, she gives, though she should have received, so that we may know from this what punishment awaits the barren rich man, when by this example even the poor ought to labor in good works. And so that we may understand that their labors are given to God, and that whoever does them deserves well of the Lord, Christ calls these the offerings of God. He shows that the widow put two small coins into the offerings of God, so that it may be even more clear that he who has pity on the poor lends to God.

Ignatius, Epistle to the Philadelphians (Long Version) Background

...ur kindness and patience they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, and becoming worthy of Jesus Christ, may obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of Christ. Brethren, do not be deceived. If any man follows him that separates from the truth, he shall not inherit the kingdom of God; and if any man does not stay away from the preacher of falsehood, he shall be condemned to hell. For it is obligatory neither to separate from the godly, nor to associate with the ungodly. If anyone walks according to a strange opinion, he is not of Christ, nor a partaker of His passion; but is a fox, a destroyer of the vineyard of Christ. Have no fellowship with such a man, lest you perish along with him, even should he be your father, your son, your brother, or a member of your family. For says [the Scripture], “Your eye shall not spare him.” You ought therefore to “hate those that hate God, and to waste away [with grief] on account of His enemies.” I do not mean that you should beat them or persecute them, as do the Gentiles “that know not the Lord and God;” but that you should regard them as your enemies, and separate yourselves from them, while yet you admonish them, and exhort

Polycarp, The Martyrdom of Polycarp Background

... the whole race of the righteous who live before you, I give you thanks that you have counted me worthy of this day and this hour, that I should have a part in the number of your martyrs, in the cup of your Christ, to the resurrection of eternal life, both of soul and body, through the incorruption imparted by the Holy Ghost. Among whom may I be accepted this day before you as a fat and acceptable sacrifice, according as you, the ever-truthful God, have foreordained, have revealed beforehand to me, and now have fulfilled. Therefore, I also praise you for all things, I bless you, I glorify you, along with the everlasting and heavenly Jesus Christ, your beloved Son, with whom, to you, and the Holy Ghost, be glory both now and to all coming ages. Amen.”