Definition: Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 7:21 together. It's a really important and somewhat harsh warning about religious practices. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, the verse is saying: “God is angry with us because we’re doing things wrong with our sacrifices.” Let's unpack that a little further: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts…” – This is just a formal way of saying "The Lord speaks." It emphasizes the seriousness of what’s about to happen. “…the God of Israel…” - This identifies who is speaking – the God of Israel, which means God as we know him in the Bible. “Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices…” – This refers to animal sacrifices (like lambs and goats) that were offered to God. “Into” or “unto” means "to" so it’s saying, “Offer these sacrifices.” "...and eat flesh.” - This is the most shocking part. It prohibits offering any animal meat – including livestock, deer, or anything else – as a sacrifice. What does this mean in practice? Jeremiah was writing during a time of great political and religious turmoil in Israel. The people were focused on appeasing God with elaborate rituals, but they were becoming increasingly selfish and obsessed with ritual purity. This verse is a direct response to their behavior – it's a warning that their practices were causing God’s anger and leading to disaster. Why is this important? This verse highlights a crucial point: God doesn’t just care about how we worship, but what we offer Him. It suggests that true devotion comes from a genuine connection with God, not just outward displays of ritualistic behavior. In short: The verse is a strong condemnation of religious practices that are focused on appeasement rather than worship and connection with the divine. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like me to elaborate on: The context of Jeremiah’s writing? What the Bible generally teaches about sacrifice?