Hosea 4:1
Hear the word of the LORD, 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.
Original Language Analysis
שִׁמְע֥וּ
Hear
H8085
שִׁמְע֥וּ
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 20
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
דְבַר
the word
H1697
דְבַר
the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 20
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
לַֽיהוָה֙
for the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָה֙
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּנֵ֣י
ye children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
ye children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לַֽיהוָה֙
for the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָה֙
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
9 of 20
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
יוֹשְׁבֵ֣י
with the inhabitants
H3427
יוֹשְׁבֵ֣י
with the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
כִּ֠י
H3588
כִּ֠י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֱמֶ֧ת
because there is no truth
H571
אֱמֶ֧ת
because there is no truth
Strong's:
H571
Word #:
14 of 20
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
וְֽאֵין
H369
חֶ֛סֶד
nor mercy
H2617
חֶ֛סֶד
nor mercy
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
16 of 20
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
וְאֵֽין
H369
Cross References
Jeremiah 4:22For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.Micah 6:2Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel.Isaiah 1:18Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.Isaiah 34:1Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.Jeremiah 25:31A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 5:4Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God.Romans 1:28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;1 Corinthians 15:34Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.Hosea 12:2The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
Historical Context
The covenant lawsuit (rib pattern) appears throughout prophetic literature (Isaiah 1, Micah 6, Jeremiah 2). God prosecutes Israel for violating Sinai covenant terms. In ancient Near Eastern treaties, suzerain (overlord) could summon vassal to account for treaty violations. Similarly, YHWH summons Israel to answer charges. Hosea 4:1-3 follows classic lawsuit structure: summons (v.1a), charge (v.1b), evidence (v.2), verdict (v.3). The specific charges reflect Decalogue violations: truth, mercy, and knowledge encompass both vertical (godward) and horizontal (neighbor-ward) covenant obligations. Jesus summarizes the law similarly: love God and love neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40).
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing sin as covenant breach against a personal God rather than mere rule-breaking change your understanding of repentance?
- What is the difference between 'knowledge of God' as intimate relationship versus intellectual information about God?
Analysis & Commentary
The divine lawsuit: 'Hear the word of the LORD, 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.' The Hebrew רִיב (riv, 'controversy') is legal terminology—a covenant lawsuit where God prosecutes His people for breach of covenant. The triple indictment identifies core failures: no אֱמֶת (emet, truth/faithfulness), no חֶסֶד (chesed, covenant love/mercy), no דַּעַת אֱלֹהִים (da'at Elohim, knowledge of God). These aren't mere moral failures but relational covenant breakdowns. 'Truth' denotes covenant faithfulness; 'mercy' the steadfast love covenant partners owe each other; 'knowledge of God' intimate relational knowing (not mere intellectual awareness). Their absence constitutes total covenant violation. This anticipates Christ who is truth incarnate (John 14:6), demonstrates perfect covenant love (John 15:13), and makes the Father known (John 1:18).