Hosea Chapter 4

God's Charges against Israel

1Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

2By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

3Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

4Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.

5Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.

6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

7As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

8They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.

9And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.

10For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD.

11Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.

12My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.

13They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.

14I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall.

15Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.

16For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.

17Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.

18Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love, Give ye.

19The wind hath bound her up in her wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.

God’s Case against His People

1 Hear the word of Yahweh, you children of Israel; for Yahweh has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “Indeed there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land.

2 There is cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break boundaries, and bloodshed causes bloodshed.

3 Therefore the land will mourn, and everyone who dwells therein will waste away. all living things in her, even the animals of the field and the birds of the sky; yes, the fish of the sea also die.

4 “Yet let no man bring a charge, neither let any man accuse; For your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.

5 You will stumble in the day, and the prophet will also stumble with you in the night; and I will destroy your mother.

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you may be no priest to me. Because you have forgotten your God’s law, I will also forget your children.

7 As they were multiplied, so they sinned against me. I will change their glory into shame.

8 They feed on the sin of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity.

9 It will be, like people, like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and will repay them for their deeds.

10 They will eat, and not have enough. They will play the prostitute, and will not increase; because they have abandoned giving to Yahweh.

11 Prostitution, wine, and new wine take away understanding.

12 My people consult with their wooden idol, and answer to a stick of wood. Indeed the spirit of prostitution has led them astray, and they have been unfaithful to their God.

13 They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains, and burn incense on the hills, under oaks and poplars and terebinths, because its shade is good. Therefore your daughters play the prostitute, and your brides commit adultery.

14 I will not punish your daughters when they play the prostitute, nor your brides when they commit adultery; because the men consort with prostitutes, and they sacrifice with the shrine prostitutes; so the people without understanding will come to ruin.

15 “Though you, Israel, play the prostitute, yet don’t let Judah offend; and don’t come to Gilgal, neither go up to Beth Aven, nor swear, ‘As Yahweh lives.’

16 For Israel has behaved extremely stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer. Then how will Yahweh feed them like a lamb in a meadow.

17 Ephraim is joined to idols. Leave him alone!

18 Their drink has become sour. They play the prostitute continually. Her rulers dearly love their shameful way.

19 The wind has wrapped her up in its wings; and they shall be disappointed because of their sacrifices.

God’s Case against His People

1 Hear the word of the LORD,

O children of Israel,

for the LORD has a case

against the people of the land:

“There is no truth, no loving devotion,

and no knowledge of God in the land!

2 Cursing and lying,

murder and stealing,

and adultery are rampant;

one act of bloodshed follows another.

3 Therefore the land mourns,

and all who dwell in it will waste away

with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air;

even the fish of the sea disappear.

4 But let no man contend;

let no man offer reproof;

for your people are like those

who contend with a priest. a

5 You will stumble by day,

and the prophet will stumble with you by night;

so I will destroy your mother—

6 My people are destroyed

for lack of knowledge.

Because you have rejected knowledge,

I will also reject you as My priests.

Since you have forgotten the law of your God,

I will also forget your children.

7 The more they multiplied,

the more they sinned against Me;

they exchanged their Glory b

for a thing of disgrace.

8 They feed on the sins c of My people

and set their hearts on iniquity.

9 And it shall be

like people, like priest.

I will punish both of them for their ways

and repay them for their deeds.

10 They will eat but not be satisfied;

they will be promiscuous but not multiply.

For they have stopped obeying the LORD.

11 Promiscuity, wine, and new wine

take away understanding.

12 My people consult their wooden idols,

and their divining rods inform them.

For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray

and they have played the harlot against their God.

13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops

and burn offerings on the hills,

under oak, poplar, and terebinth,

because their shade is pleasant.

And so your daughters turn to prostitution

and your daughters-in-law to adultery.

14 I will not punish your daughters

when they prostitute themselves,

nor your daughters-in-law

when they commit adultery.

For the men themselves go off with prostitutes

and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes.

So a people without understanding

will come to ruin.

15 Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel,

may Judah avoid such guilt!

Do not journey to Gilgal,

do not go up to Beth-aven, d

and do not swear on oath,

‘As surely as the LORD lives!’

16 For Israel is as obstinate

as a stubborn heifer.

Can the LORD now shepherd them

like lambs in an open meadow?

17 Ephraim e is joined to idols;

leave him alone!

18 When their liquor is gone,

they turn to prostitution;

their rulers f dearly love disgrace.

19 The whirlwind has wrapped them g in its wings,

and their sacrifices will bring them shame.

Footnotes:

4 a Or for My case is against you, O priests
7 b Or they exchanged their glorious God  (Syriac); MT I will exchange their glory
8 c Or the sin offerings
15 d Beth-aven  means house of wickedness . This is a derogatory term for Bethel, which means house of God ; see 1 Kings 12:28–29.
17 e That is, the northern kingdom of Israel
18 f Hebrew her shields
19 g Hebrew has wrapped her

God's Charges against Israel

1Hear a word of Jehovah, sons of Israel, For a strife is to Jehovah with inhabitants of the land, For there is no truth, nor kindness, Nor knowledge of God, in the land,

2Swearing, and lying, and murdering, And stealing, and committing adultery -- have increased, And blood against blood hath touched.

3Therefore mourn doth the land, And weak is every dweller in it, With the beast of the field, And with the fowl of the heavens, And the fishes of the sea -- they are removed.

4Only, let no one strive, nor reprove a man, And thy people are as those striving with a priest.

5And thou hast stumbled in the day, And stumbled hath also a prophet with thee in the night, And I have cut off thy mother.

6Cut off have been My people for lack of knowledge, Because thou knowledge hast rejected, I reject thee from being priest to Me, And thou forgettest the law of thy God, I forget thy sons, I also!

7According to their abundance so they sinned against Me, Their honour into shame I change.

8The sin of My people they do eat, And unto their iniquity lift up their soul.

9And it hath been, like people, like priest, And I have charged on it its ways, And its habitual doings I return to it.

10And they have eaten, and are not satisfied, They have gone a-whoring, and increase not, For they have left off taking heed to Jehovah.

11Whoredom, and wine, and new wine, take the heart,

12My people at its staff asketh and its rod declareth to it, For a spirit of whoredoms hath caused to err, And they go a-whoring from under their God.

13On tops of the mountains they do sacrifice, And on the hills they make perfume, Under oak, and poplar, and terebinth, For good is its shade.

14Therefore commit whoredom do your daughters, And your spouses commit adultery, I do not see after your daughters when they commit whoredom, And after your spouses when they commit adultery, For they with the harlots are separated, And with the whores they do sacrifice, A people that doth not understand kicketh.

15Though a harlot thou art, O Israel, Let not Judah become guilty, And come not ye in to Gilgal, nor go up to Beth-Aven, Nor swear ye, Jehovah liveth.

16For as a refractory heifer hath Israel turned aside, Now doth Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a large place.

17Joined to idols is Ephraim, let him alone.

18Sour is their drink, They have gone diligently a-whoring, Her protectors have loved shame thoroughly.

19Distressed her hath wind with its wings, And they are ashamed of their sacrifices!

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Hosea 4?

1.1Introduction to Hosea 4

1.2Context of Hosea 4

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Hosea 4 Unique Insights

1.6Hosea 4 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Hosea 4 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Hosea 4 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Hosea 4?

Introduction to Hosea 4

Hosea 4 marks a pivotal shift in the prophetic book, transitioning from the deeply personal narrative of Hosea’s marriage to Gomer to a broader indictment of Israel’s spiritual adultery. This chapter serves as a divine lawsuit (רִיב, rîḇ) where Yahweh brings charges against His people through the prophet. The text presents one of the most comprehensive catalogues of Israel’s sins found in prophetic literature, highlighting the devastating consequences of abandoning covenant faithfulness.

Context of Hosea 4

Within the book of Hosea, chapter 4 initiates the second major section (chapters 4-14) that moves from the prophet’s personal life to national application. The previous chapters used Hosea’s marriage as a living parable of God’s relationship with Israel, while this chapter begins the detailed explanation of Israel’s infidelity and its consequences.

In the broader biblical narrative, Hosea 4 aligns with other prophetic messages delivered during the tumultuous period of the divided kingdom, particularly in the northern kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BCE. This era was marked by material prosperity but spiritual decay, paralleling modern societies that often experience similar tensions. The chapter’s themes resonate with Jeremiah 2:8 and Ezekiel 22:26, where religious leaders similarly failed their sacred duties.

Written during the reign of Jeroboam II, this chapter provides crucial historical context for understanding Israel’s spiritual deterioration that ultimately led to their exile by Assyria in 722 BCE. The message remains remarkably relevant, addressing themes of truth, knowledge, and faithfulness that continue to challenge believers today.

Ancient Key Word Study

רִיב (rîḇ) – “Controversy/lawsuit” (v.1): This legal term indicates a formal covenant lawsuit brought by Yahweh against His people. It appears in other prophetic books and reflects the language of ancient Near Eastern treaties, highlighting the serious nature of Israel’s covenant violations.
אֱמֶת (ʾěmeṯ) – “Truth” (v.1): More than factual accuracy, this word conveys faithfulness and reliability. Its absence in the land indicates a breakdown of fundamental covenant loyalty, both to God and between people.
דַּעַת (daʿaṯ) – “Knowledge” (v.6): This term refers not merely to intellectual understanding but intimate, experiential knowledge of God. The Hebrew root ידע (yada) is the same used for marital intimacy, emphasizing the personal nature of this knowledge.
כָּבוֹד (kāḇôḏ) – “Glory” (v.7): Usually associated with God’s presence, here it’s ironically used to describe the priests’ position that they’ve corrupted. Their “glory” will be turned to shame.
זָנָה (zānāh) – “Prostitute/play the harlot” (v.10): This word appears repeatedly in Hosea, serving as both literal description and metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness. It’s the root of the name “Zanah” and carries deep covenant implications.
תִּירוֹשׁ (tîrôš) – “New wine” (v.11): Specifically refers to fresh grape juice, often associated with God’s blessing. Here it becomes an instrument of judgment through its abuse.
עַמִּי (ʿammî) – “My people” (v.12): This covenantal term emphasizes the special relationship between God and Israel, making their betrayal all the more grievous.
קָדֵשׁ (qāḏēš) – “Temple prostitute” (v.14): Refers to cultic prostitution common in Canaanite fertility worship, representing the syncretism that had corrupted Israel’s worship.
מְרִי (mərî) – “Stubborn” (v.16): Literally means “rebellious,” comparing Israel to a stubborn heifer, a powerful agricultural metaphor in an agrarian society.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 1’s opening “Hear the word of יהוה” (šim’û ḏəḇar-yhwh) deliberately echoes the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4). The prophet could have used the more common “Thus says יהוה,” but chose this phrasing to remind Israel of their fundamental covenant obligation to hear and obey.
The phrase “like people, like priest” (v.9) employs a rare Hebrew grammatical construction (עַם כַּכֹּהֵן) that emphasizes mutual corruption. Rather than using a more standard comparative phrase, this terse formulation powerfully conveys how religious leaders had descended to the people’s level rather than elevating them.
The metaphor of Israel as a “stubborn heifer” (v.16) was chosen over the more common “sheep” imagery because it emphasizes willful rebellion rather than mere wandering. A heifer that refuses the yoke actively resists its master’s control.
The reference to “spirit of harlotry” (v.12) uses רוּחַ זְנוּנִים (rûaḥ zənûnîm) rather than just calling Israel unfaithful, suggesting a deeper spiritual bondage that actively leads astray.
The phrase “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (v.6) uses נִדְמוּ (niḏmû, “are destroyed”) rather than a simpler verb for ignorance, emphasizing the fatal consequences of rejecting divine truth.

Hosea 4 Unique Insights

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The chapter contains a fascinating numerical pattern in its structure that ancient Jewish commentators have noted. The progression of sins listed follows a pattern of three (no truth, no mercy, no knowledge) that expands to seven specific transgressions, mirroring the creation account’s pattern of completion and suggesting the totality of Israel’s corruption.

The Targum Jonathan provides an interesting insight into verse 2’s list of sins, interpreting them as a direct inversion of the Ten Commandments. This understanding strengthens the chapter’s theme of covenant violation and suggests intentional literary crafting to emphasize Israel’s complete moral collapse.

Rabbi David Kimchi (Radak) observed that the phrase “whoredom, wine, and new wine take away the heart” (v.11) describes a progressive spiritual deterioration: first moral compromise (whoredom), then dulled consciousness (wine), finally complete loss of spiritual sensitivity (new wine). This progression mirrors the stages of Israel’s apostasy.

Early Christian writers like Jerome saw in this chapter a preview of the spiritual blindness that would later affect portions of both Israel and the Church, particularly in the reference to rejected knowledge leading to rejected priesthood (v.6). This foreshadows Romans 11:25.

The chapter’s reference to “spirit of harlotry” (v.12) uses terminology that appears in Second Temple period literature discussing demonic influence, suggesting a supernatural dimension to Israel’s apostasy that goes beyond mere human weakness.

Hosea 4 Connections to Yeshua

The chapter’s emphasis on the failure of Israel’s priesthood points forward to the Messiah as the perfect High Priest described in Hebrews 7:26-28. Where Israel’s priests led the people astray, Yeshua leads His people into all truth.

The tragic lack of knowledge that destroys God’s people (v.6) finds its ultimate answer in Yeshua, who declared Himself to be the Truth (John 14:6) and promised that knowledge of Him would set people free (John 8:32). The chapter’s emphasis on true knowledge of God anticipates Jesus’ statement that eternal life consists in knowing the Father and the Son (John 17:3).

Hosea 4 Scriptural Echoes

The chapter’s opening lawsuit format echoes Micah 6:1-2 and Isaiah 1:2, where God similarly calls creation as witness against His people. This legal metaphor continues throughout Scripture, finding its ultimate expression in the final judgment.

The priests’ failure to teach God’s law (v.6) connects to Malachi 2:7-8, where similar charges are brought against the priesthood. This theme of failed spiritual leadership reaches its climax in Jesus’ confrontations with the religious authorities of His day.

The reference to sacrifice on mountaintops (v.13) recalls 1 Kings 3:2 and the ongoing problem of high place worship, which persisted until the exile. This issue of proper worship location finds resolution in Jesus’ discussion with the Samaritan woman about true worship (John 4:21-24).

Hosea 4 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine the depth of our knowledge of God. Are we content with surface-level religious observance, or do we pursue intimate knowledge of our Creator? The priests’ failure reminds us that spiritual leadership carries great responsibility and accountability.

The progressive nature of spiritual decline described here warns us about the danger of compromise. Small departures from God’s truth can lead to major spiritual blindness. We must guard our hearts and minds, staying rooted in God’s Word and genuine community with other believers.

The chapter’s emphasis on true knowledge of God invites us to move beyond mere intellectual understanding to transformative relationship. This involves regular time in prayer, Scripture study, and authentic worship, allowing God’s truth to shape our character and conduct.

Did You Know

The phrase “like people, like priest” (v.9) has become proverbial in Hebrew, similar to “like father, like son,” and is still used in modern Hebrew to describe mutual corruption in leadership and followers.
The reference to “poplar” trees (v.13) specifically mentions the לִבְנֶה (liḇneh), which was sacred in Canaanite religion because its white wood was associated with their moon deity.
The “spirit of harlotry” mentioned in verse 12 uses the same Hebrew construction (רוּחַ זְנוּנִים) found in ancient Near Eastern texts describing demonic influence.
The “knowledge” lacking in verse 6 (דַּעַת) appears exactly seven times in Hosea, suggesting an intentional literary pattern emphasizing completeness.
The chapter contains exactly 19 verses, a number that in Hebrew numerology represents judgment, appropriate for a divine lawsuit.
The word “whoredom” and its derivatives appear 19 times in Hosea, more than any other book in the Bible, emphasizing the central theme of spiritual infidelity.
Archaeological findings from 8th century BCE Israel confirm the chapter’s description of widespread ritual prostitution, with temple complexes including special quarters for sacred prostitutes.
The phrase “return to Egypt” (v.15) was particularly shocking because Egypt represented the antithesis of Israel’s freedom and identity as God’s people.
The reference to “calves” (v.16) deliberately recalls the golden calf incident, suggesting Israel hadn’t fundamentally changed since that early act of apostasy.

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