Hosea 4:6
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 God, I will also forget thy children.
Original Language Analysis
נִדְמ֥וּ
are destroyed
H1820
נִדְמ֥וּ
are destroyed
Strong's:
H1820
Word #:
1 of 18
to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. to destroy
עַמִּ֖י
My people
H5971
עַמִּ֖י
My people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מִבְּלִ֣י
H1097
מִבְּלִ֣י
Strong's:
H1097
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
וְאֶמְאָֽסְאךָ֙
I will also reject
H3988
וְאֶמְאָֽסְאךָ֙
I will also reject
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
8 of 18
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
וְאֶמְאָֽסְאךָ֙
I will also reject
H3988
וְאֶמְאָֽסְאךָ֙
I will also reject
Strong's:
H3988
Word #:
9 of 18
to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear
מִכַּהֵ֣ן
thee that thou shalt be no priest
H3547
מִכַּהֵ֣ן
thee that thou shalt be no priest
Strong's:
H3547
Word #:
10 of 18
to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia
אֶשְׁכַּ֥ח
I will also forget
H7911
אֶשְׁכַּ֥ח
I will also forget
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
12 of 18
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
תּוֹרַ֣ת
the law
H8451
תּוֹרַ֣ת
the law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
13 of 18
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
of thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
of thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
14 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
אֶשְׁכַּ֥ח
I will also forget
H7911
אֶשְׁכַּ֥ח
I will also forget
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
15 of 18
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
בָּנֶ֖יךָ
thy children
H1121
בָּנֶ֖יךָ
thy children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
16 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
Cross References
Isaiah 5:13Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.Proverbs 19:2Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.Hosea 6:6For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.Hosea 4:1Hear 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.Matthew 15:8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.Isaiah 17:10Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:Hosea 8:14For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.Jeremiah 2:8The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.2 Chronicles 15:3Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.Hosea 13:6According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
Historical Context
By the mid-8th century BC, Israel's priesthood had failed its fundamental responsibility to teach Torah, resulting in covenant ignorance that destroyed the nation. Hosea's indictment—'My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee'—targeted the priests who had abandoned teaching for profit and political advancement. Archaeological evidence confirms that during this period, high places proliferated throughout Israel with syncretistic worship combining YHWH and Baal elements. The priestly failure created a spiritually illiterate population that could not distinguish true worship from idolatry, making judgment inevitable as ignorance bred sin and sin bred destruction.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Hosea 4:6 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
- What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
- How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
Analysis & Commentary
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (מִבְּלִי הַדָּעַת)—Not ignorance but rejection: because thou hast rejected knowledge (מָאַסְתָּ דָּעַת). The priests failed to teach Torah, causing national ruin. Knowledge (דַּעַת, da'at) is covenant relationship, not mere information—the same 'knowing' of marriage intimacy. Thou hast forgotten the law of thy God (תּוֹרַת אֱלֹהֶיךָ תִּשְׁכָּח)—deliberate amnesia, not accidental. God's response is measure-for-measure: I will also forget thy children. Hosea indicts the religious establishment: priestly corruption produced spiritual famine (Amos 8:11). True knowledge of God yields obedience; Israel had neither.