Hosea 4:5

Authorized King James Version

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Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.

Original Language Analysis

וְכָשַׁ֧ל Therefore shalt thou fall H3782
וְכָשַׁ֧ל Therefore shalt thou fall
Strong's: H3782
Word #: 1 of 9
to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
הַיּ֔וֹם in the day H3117
הַיּ֔וֹם in the day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 2 of 9
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
וְכָשַׁ֧ל Therefore shalt thou fall H3782
וְכָשַׁ֧ל Therefore shalt thou fall
Strong's: H3782
Word #: 3 of 9
to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall
גַּם H1571
גַּם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 4 of 9
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
נָבִ֛יא and the prophet H5030
נָבִ֛יא and the prophet
Strong's: H5030
Word #: 5 of 9
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
עִמְּךָ֖ H5973
עִמְּךָ֖
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 6 of 9
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
לָ֑יְלָה with thee in the night H3915
לָ֑יְלָה with thee in the night
Strong's: H3915
Word #: 7 of 9
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
וְדָמִ֖יתִי and I will destroy H1820
וְדָמִ֖יתִי and I will destroy
Strong's: H1820
Word #: 8 of 9
to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. to destroy
אִמֶּֽךָ׃ thy mother H517
אִמֶּֽךָ׃ thy mother
Strong's: H517
Word #: 9 of 9
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

Analysis & Commentary

Judgment on religious leaders: 'Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.' Priests and prophets—twin pillars of spiritual leadership—both face judgment. The temporal contrast ('day'/'night') may indicate constant judgment or distinguish their fates. 'Thy mother' likely refers to the nation (mother of the people) or possibly the priest's literal family line. The verse demonstrates that spiritual leaders bear greater responsibility and face severer judgment when they fail (James 3:1). False prophets who should speak God's word instead mislead (Jeremiah 23:13-14, Ezekiel 13:1-16). This necessitates Christ who perfectly fulfills both offices—our true Prophet speaking God's word (Deuteronomy 18:15-18, Acts 3:22-23) and eternal Priest mediating God's grace (Hebrews 7:23-28).

Historical Context

Northern kingdom's religious establishment, illegitimate from its Jeroboam I origins, had thoroughly corrupted worship. Prophets who should confront sin instead legitimized it, prophesying prosperity while ignoring injustice (cf. Amos's critiques). Archaeological findings show Israelite worship sites mixing YHWH worship with Asherah poles and Baal imagery. The priests facilitated this syncretism rather than resisting it. Their judgment came through Assyrian conquest (722 BC), which destroyed both religious and political infrastructure. This historical pattern warns that religious office doesn't guarantee divine favor—God judges unfaithful shepherds who scatter the flock (Jeremiah 23:1-4, Ezekiel 34:1-10).

Questions for Reflection