Hosea 4:7

Authorized King James Version

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As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

Original Language Analysis

כְּרֻבָּ֖ם As they were increased H7230
כְּרֻבָּ֖ם As they were increased
Strong's: H7230
Word #: 1 of 7
abundance (in any respect)
כֵּ֣ן H3651
כֵּ֣ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 2 of 7
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
חָֽטְאוּ so they sinned H2398
חָֽטְאוּ so they sinned
Strong's: H2398
Word #: 3 of 7
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
לִ֑י H0
לִ֑י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 4 of 7
כְּבוֹדָ֖ם their glory H3519
כְּבוֹדָ֖ם their glory
Strong's: H3519
Word #: 5 of 7
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
בְּקָל֥וֹן into shame H7036
בְּקָל֥וֹן into shame
Strong's: H7036
Word #: 6 of 7
disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda
אָמִֽיר׃ against me therefore will I change H4171
אָמִֽיר׃ against me therefore will I change
Strong's: H4171
Word #: 7 of 7
to alter; by implication, to barter, to dispose of

Cross References

Hosea 13:6According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.1 Samuel 2:30Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.Philippians 3:19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)Malachi 2:9Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.Hosea 4:10For 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 LORD.Hosea 10:1Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.Habakkuk 2:16Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD'S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.Hosea 5:1Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.Hosea 6:9And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.Ezra 9:7Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.

Analysis & Commentary

Perverse prosperity: 'As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.' Numerical and material growth fueled pride rather than gratitude. The more God blessed, the more Israel forgot their benefactor—prosperity breeding apostasy (Deuteronomy 8:10-14 warned of precisely this). The Hebrew suggests priestly multiplication: as priests increased, sin increased. God promises to transform כְּבוֹדָם (kevodam, their glory/honor) into קָלוֹן (qalon, shame/dishonor). This reversal pattern appears throughout Scripture: the exalted humbled, the honored shamed (Luke 14:11, 18:14). Pride precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Only in Christ is glory secure—not self-achieved but received as gift, based on His righteousness not ours (Philippians 3:9).

Historical Context

Jeroboam II's reign brought unprecedented prosperity to northern Israel—territorial expansion, economic growth, apparent blessing. This wealth, however, produced moral complacency and spiritual decline. Archaeological evidence confirms 8th century prosperity: fine houses, luxury goods, expanded fortifications. Yet prophets (Hosea, Amos) exposed injustice, oppression, and syncretism underlying material success. The priests, benefiting from increased offerings and tithes, had vested interest in maintaining the corrupt system. Their 'glory' (prestige, wealth, honor) would become 'shame' when Assyria destroyed the nation, exposing their false securities. Jesus warns similarly: 'Woe unto you that are rich!' (Luke 6:24).

Questions for Reflection