Hosea 3:5

Authorized King James Version

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Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

Original Language Analysis

אַחַ֗ר Afterward H310
אַחַ֗ר Afterward
Strong's: H310
Word #: 1 of 18
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
יָשֻׁ֙בוּ֙ return H7725
יָשֻׁ֙בוּ֙ return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 2 of 18
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
בְּנֵ֣י shall the children H1121
בְּנֵ֣י shall the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 3 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 4 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וּבִקְשׁוּ֙ and seek H1245
וּבִקְשׁוּ֙ and seek
Strong's: H1245
Word #: 5 of 18
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֛ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֛ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 7 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֔ם their God H430
אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֔ם their God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 8 of 18
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
וְאֵ֖ת H853
וְאֵ֖ת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דָּוִ֣יד and David H1732
דָּוִ֣יד and David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 10 of 18
david, the youngest son of jesse
מַלְכָּ֑ם their king H4428
מַלְכָּ֑ם their king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 11 of 18
a king
וּפָחֲד֧וּ and shall fear H6342
וּפָחֲד֧וּ and shall fear
Strong's: H6342
Word #: 12 of 18
to be startled (by a sudden alarm); hence, to fear in general
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 13 of 18
near, with or among; often in general, to
יְהוָ֛ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֛ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 14 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְאֶל H413
וְאֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 15 of 18
near, with or among; often in general, to
טוּב֖וֹ and his goodness H2898
טוּב֖וֹ and his goodness
Strong's: H2898
Word #: 16 of 18
good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness, welfare
בְּאַחֲרִ֥ית in the latter H319
בְּאַחֲרִ֥ית in the latter
Strong's: H319
Word #: 17 of 18
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
הַיָּמִֽים׃ days H3117
הַיָּמִֽים׃ days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 18 of 18
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

Cross References

Jeremiah 30:9But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.Isaiah 2:2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.Romans 2:4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?Jeremiah 23:5Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.Ezekiel 38:8After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.Ezekiel 16:63That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.Micah 4:1But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.Jeremiah 33:17For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel;Romans 11:25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.Deuteronomy 4:30When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;

Analysis & Commentary

Future repentance and reign: 'Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.' After 'many days' (vv. 3-4), Israel will 'return' (shuvu)—repent, come back to YHWH. They will 'seek the LORD' (baqshu)—pursue relationship earnestly. 'David their king' refers not to historical David (dead 200+ years when Hosea wrote) but Messianic King from David's line (Jeremiah 23:5, Ezekiel 34:23-24, 37:24). 'Latter days' (aharit ha-yamim) is technical term for Messianic age. This prophesies Jewish recognition of Jesus as Messiah, fulfilling Romans 11:25-27 ('all Israel shall be saved'). 'Fear the LORD and his goodness' combines reverence with gratitude—proper response to experiencing redemption. God's goodness (tov) inspires both awe and love. This teaches election's security: God promises future conversion of His people Israel, demonstrating His faithfulness transcends their unfaithfulness.

Historical Context

Partial fulfillment came in post-exilic return (538 BC onward), yet 'David their king' wasn't restored then. Zerubbabel (Davidic descendant) led return but wasn't crowned king. True fulfillment awaits Christ's second coming when surviving Jews recognize Him (Zechariah 12:10, 'they shall look on me whom they have pierced, and mourn'). Romans 11:25-27 confirms: after fullness of Gentiles, 'all Israel shall be saved.' Early church saw some Jewish conversions (Acts 2:41, 3,000; 4:4, 5,000); future will see mass conversion. This demonstrates God keeps covenant promises to Israel while including Gentiles through grafting into one olive tree (Romans 11:17-24). David's greater Son, Christ, reigns over reunited people—Jews and Gentiles together worshiping one King.

Questions for Reflection