Hosea 14:1

Authorized King James Version

PDF

O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

Original Language Analysis

שׁ֚וּבָה return H7725
שׁ֚וּבָה return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 1 of 8
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל O Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל O Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 2 of 8
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַ֖ד H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 3 of 8
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
יְהוָ֣ה unto the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה unto the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 5 of 8
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 6 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כָשַׁ֖לְתָּ for thou hast fallen H3782
כָשַׁ֖לְתָּ for thou hast fallen
Strong's: H3782
Word #: 7 of 8
to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
בַּעֲוֺנֶֽךָ׃ by thine iniquity H5771
בַּעֲוֺנֶֽךָ׃ by thine iniquity
Strong's: H5771
Word #: 8 of 8
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

Analysis & Commentary

O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Opening plea: return to God. Cause: fallen by iniquity. The Hebrew shub (return) means repent, turn back. Acknowledging that iniquity caused the fall is crucial first step. True repentance recognizes sin as cause of problems, not circumstances or others. Lamentations 5:16 confesses: Woe unto us, that we have sinned. Only honest confession enables restoration. Christ calls: Repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15).

Historical Context

After chapters of judgment, God offers restoration path. Return indicates Israel had departed; fallen shows consequences. The call to return demonstrates grace - despite deserved judgment, God offers mercy. Modern application: repentance remains pathway to restoration. God doesn't wait for perfection before offering return, but return requires honest acknowledgment of sin. Only Spirit enables genuine repentance producing transformation.

Questions for Reflection