Hosea 10:3

Authorized King James Version

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For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עַתָּה֙ H6258
עַתָּה֙
Strong's: H6258
Word #: 2 of 15
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
יֹֽאמְר֔וּ For now they shall say H559
יֹֽאמְר֔וּ For now they shall say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 3 of 15
to say (used with great latitude)
אֵ֥ין H369
אֵ֥ין
Strong's: H369
Word #: 4 of 15
a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ We have no king H4428
וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ We have no king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 5 of 15
a king
לָ֑נוּ H0
לָ֑נוּ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 6 of 15
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 7 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֤א H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 8 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָרֵ֙אנוּ֙ because we feared H3372
יָרֵ֙אנוּ֙ because we feared
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 9 of 15
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֔ה not the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה not the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 11 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ We have no king H4428
וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ We have no king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 12 of 15
a king
מַה H4100
מַה
Strong's: H4100
Word #: 13 of 15
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
יַּֽעֲשֶׂה do H6213
יַּֽעֲשֶׂה do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 14 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לָּֽנוּ׃ H0
לָּֽנוּ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 15 of 15

Analysis & Commentary

Kingless confession: 'For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?' The anticipated confession: אֵין מֶלֶךְ לָנוּ (ein melekh lanu, no king for us) because כִּי לֹא יָרֵאנוּ אֶת־יְהוָה (ki lo yarenu et-YHWH, we feared not the LORD). The rhetorical question: what can human king accomplish without divine blessing? This demonstrates political futility when covenant relationship is broken. Kings cannot substitute for God; human authority depends on divine legitimation. Only Christ the King rules righteously and eternally (Revelation 19:16).

Historical Context

The confession 'we have no king' proved literally true: Israel's last king Hoshea imprisoned by Assyria, kingdom ending without successor (2 Kings 17:4). The rapid succession of assassinations meant many periods effectively kingless. The admission that fearing YHWH is prerequisite for beneficial kingship addresses Israel's core failure: establishing monarchy 'not by Me' (8:4), trusting human rulers rather than divine King. Judges period showed this pattern: when Israel served YHWH, even flawed leaders succeeded; when apostate, even capable kings failed. This demonstrates that political structures succeed only when founded on covenant faithfulness. Church-state relations throughout history confirm this principle.

Questions for Reflection