Hosea 5:3
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Ephraim's spiritual harlotry involved Baal worship conducted at hidden shrines, under trees, on mountain tops—attempts to conceal idolatry from public view while maintaining appearance of YHWH worship. The priests and leaders facilitated this deception. Yet God's omniscience penetrates all concealment. Archaeological discoveries of 8th century Israelite worship sites show syncretistic practices: YHWH worship mixed with Asherah poles, Baal imagery, fertility cult elements. What they thought hidden from YHWH (perhaps reasoning that Canaanite gods ruled Canaanite sites) was fully known. This demonstrates that secret sin is impossible—God sees all (Jeremiah 23:23-24).
Questions for Reflection
- How does awareness of God's omniscient knowledge of all our thoughts and actions affect both conviction of sin and assurance of grace in Christ?
- What does it mean that despite knowing us fully, God loved us enough to send Christ (Romans 5:8)?
Analysis & Commentary
Known to God: 'I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.' The emphatic אֲנִי יָדַעְתִּי אֶפְרַיִם (ani yada'ti Ephraim): 'I, I know Ephraim'—complete divine knowledge despite human attempts to hide sin. The verb יָדַע (yada', 'know') indicates intimate, comprehensive knowledge—not mere awareness but full understanding of motives, actions, consequences. Israel's harlotry (spiritual adultery) and defilement (טָמֵא, tame'—ceremonial/moral impurity) cannot be hidden from omniscient God. This echoes Psalm 139:1-4: 'O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.' The terrifying reality: all sin occurs in God's full view (Hebrews 4:13). Yet gospel hope: Christ bore our defilement, making us clean (2 Corinthians 5:21).