Hosea 10:4
They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Israel's political instability involved constant treaty-making and breaking: swearing allegiance to Assyria then Egypt, making covenants with no intention of keeping them. 'False swearing' violates the third commandment (Exodus 20:7) and characterizes dishonest society (Jeremiah 5:2, 7:9, Zechariah 5:4). The agricultural metaphor—poisonous hemlock in plowed furrows—describes ironic reversal: where wholesome crops should grow, poison sprouts. Similarly, where justice should flourish, corruption spreads. Amos similarly condemns: 'ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock' (Amos 6:12). This demonstrates that societal corruption begins with leaders' faithless words and broken promises.
Questions for Reflection
- How do 'empty words' and 'false swearing' in leadership poison entire societies?
- What does judgment 'springing up as hemlock' teach about how corruption multiplies from small beginnings?
Analysis & Commentary
Empty words and false covenants: 'They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.' They speak דִּבְּרוּ דְבָרִים (dibberu devarim, spoken words)—mere talk without substance. Swearing falsely (אָלוֹת שָׁוְא, alot shav) when cutting covenant (כָּרֹת בְּרִית, karot berit). Result: judgment springs up כָּרֹאשׁ (kharosh, like hemlock/poisonous weed) in furrows. This demonstrates that faithless words and broken covenants produce poisonous fruit. Truth and covenant faithfulness are foundational; their absence poisons society. Only Christ speaks truth perfectly (John 14:6), establishing new covenant on better promises (Hebrews 8:6).