Proverbs 21:3 - Exposition

To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. The superiority of moral obedience to ceremonial worship is often inculcated (see note on Proverbs 15:8 , and below, Proverbs 15:27 ; and comp. Micah 6:6-8 and Matthew 12:7 ). "Justice" and "judgment" ( tsedakah and mishpat ) are combined in Genesis 18:19 ; 2 Samuel 8:15 ; Job 37:23 ; Isaiah 56:1 , etc. They imply equity and justice proceeding, not from bare regard to law, but from the principle of love. Septuagint, "To do justify and to speak the truth are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices."