Hosea 5:15

Authorized King James Version

I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֵלֵ֤ךְ
H1980
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#2
אָשׁ֙וּבָה֙
H7725
and return
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#3
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
מְקוֹמִ֔י
H4725
to my place
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
#5
עַ֥ד
H5704
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#6
אֲשֶֽׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
יֶאְשְׁמ֖וּ
H816
till they acknowledge their offence
to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish
#8
וּבִקְשׁ֣וּ
H1245
and seek
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
#9
פָנָ֑י
H6440
my face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#10
בַּצַּ֥ר
H6862
in their affliction
a pebble (as in h6864)
#11
לָהֶ֖ם
H1992
they (only used when emphatic)
#12
יְשַׁחֲרֻֽנְנִי׃
H7836
they will seek me early
properly, to dawn, i.e., (figuratively) be (up) early at any task (with the implication of earnestness); by extension, to search for (with painstaking

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Hosea Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection