Hosea 4

The Charge Against Israel

1 Hear the word of the LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty., 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. References Lord: Hosea 12:2, Isaiah 1:18, Micah 6:2. References God: Jeremiah 5:4, Romans 1:28, 1 Corinthians 15:34. Word: Jeremiah 25:31. Parallel theme: Isaiah 34:1, Jeremiah 4:22 +4

2 By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and bloodBlood: דָּם (Dam). The Hebrew dam (דָּם) means blood—representing life itself. 'The life of the flesh is in the blood' (Leviticus 17:11), and blood was required for atonement, foreshadowing Christ's sacrifice. toucheth blood. Blood: Micah 7:2. Parallel theme: Hosea 6:9, 7:1, Jeremiah 6:7

3 Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heavenHeaven: שָׁמַיִם (Shamayim). The Hebrew shamayim (שָׁמַיִם) means heaven or sky—God's dwelling place and the realm above earth. 'The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's' (Psalm 115:16), yet 'the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him' (1 Kings 8:27).; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away. Parallel theme: Jeremiah 4:25, 12:4, Ezekiel 38:20, Amos 5:16, Nahum 1:4, Zephaniah 1:3

4 Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priestPriest: כֹּהֵן (Kohen). The Hebrew kohen (כֹּהֵן) denotes a priest—one who mediates between God and people through sacrifices and intercession. Aaron and his descendants served as Israel's priests, foreshadowing Christ the Great High Priest.. Parallel theme: Hosea 4:17, Deuteronomy 17:12, Amos 5:13

5 Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophetProphet: נָבִיא (Navi). The Hebrew navi (נָבִיא) means prophet—one who speaks God's word to the people. Prophets received divine revelation and declared God's message, often calling Israel to repentance and foretelling future events. also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother. Parallel theme: Hosea 2:2, Jeremiah 15:8, Galatians 4:26

6 My 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 GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity., I will also forget thy children. References God: Hosea 6:6, Isaiah 17:10. Word: Hosea 4:1, 2 Chronicles 15:3, Jeremiah 2:8. Parallel theme: Hosea 8:14, 13:6, Proverbs 19:2, Isaiah 5:13, Matthew 15:8 +5

7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their gloryGlory: כָּבוֹד (Kavod). The Hebrew kavod (כָּבוֹד) literally means 'weight' or 'heaviness,' metaphorically denoting glory, honor, or majesty. God's glory (Shekinah) filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34) and temple (1 Kings 8:11). into shame. Glory: Habakkuk 2:16, Philippians 3:19. Sin: Ezra 9:7. Parallel theme: Hosea 4:10, 5:1, 6:9, 10:1, 13:6, 1 Samuel 2:30, Malachi 2:9 +5

8 They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquityIniquity: עָוֹן (Avon). The Hebrew avon (עָוֹן) encompasses iniquity, guilt, and its punishment—the twisted nature of sin. 'The LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all' (Isaiah 53:6), Christ bearing our guilt and penalty.. Sin: Leviticus 6:26. Parallel theme: 1 Samuel 2:29, Psalms 24:4, Isaiah 56:11, Micah 3:11, Malachi 1:10, Romans 16:18, Titus 1:11 +3

9 And there shall be, like people, like priestPriest: כֹּהֵן (Kohen). The Hebrew kohen (כֹּהֵן) denotes a priest—one who mediates between God and people through sacrifices and intercession. Aaron and his descendants served as Israel's priests, foreshadowing Christ the Great High Priest.: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings. Parallel theme: Isaiah 24:2, Jeremiah 5:31, Matthew 15:14

10 For 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 LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty.. Parallel theme: Leviticus 26:26, Micah 6:14, Haggai 1:6

11 Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart. Parallel theme: Proverbs 20:1, Isaiah 28:7, Luke 21:34

12 My 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 GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity.. References God: Deuteronomy 31:16. Spirit: Hosea 5:4. Parallel theme: Numbers 15:39, Jeremiah 2:27, Habakkuk 2:19

13 They sacrificeSacrifice: זֶבַח (Zevach). The Hebrew zevach (זֶבַח) denotes a sacrifice or offering—an animal slaughtered for worship. Old Testament sacrifices foreshadowed Christ, 'the Lamb of God' (John 1:29). 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. Sacrifice: Ezekiel 6:13. Parallel theme: Isaiah 1:29, Jeremiah 3:6, Amos 7:17

14 I 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. Parallel theme: Hosea 4:1

15 Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Beth-aven, nor swear, The LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. liveth. References Lord: Jeremiah 5:2. References Israel: Hosea 10:8. Parallel theme: Hosea 5:8, 9:15, 10:5, 12:11, Amos 4:4, 5:5, 8:14 +4

16 For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lambLamb: שֶׂה / כֶּבֶשׂ (Seh / Kebes). The Hebrew seh (שֶׂה) denotes a lamb—central to Israel's sacrificial system. The Passover lamb's blood protected Israel from judgment (Exodus 12), and Isaiah prophesied the Servant would be 'brought as a lamb to the slaughter' (Isaiah 53:7). in a large place.

17 Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone. Parallel theme: Hosea 4:4, 13:2, Psalms 81:12, Matthew 15:14

18 Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do loveLove: אַהֲבָה / חֶסֶד (Ahavah / Chesed). Hebrew uses ahavah (אַהֲבָה) for love generally, but the covenant term chesed (חֶסֶד) describes God's steadfast, loyal love—faithful covenant commitment beyond mere emotion., Give ye. Parallel theme: Micah 3:11

19 The wind hath bound her up in her wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices. Parallel theme: Hosea 13:15, Isaiah 1:29, Jeremiah 51:1