Hosea 5:7
They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Intermarriage with pagans, forbidden in Torah (Deuteronomy 7:3-4), occurred throughout Israel's history, producing children uncircumcised in heart though circumcised in flesh. The northern kingdom's syncretistic worship raised generations knowing ritualistic religion but lacking genuine YHWH covenant relationship. Ezra and Nehemiah later addressed this issue post-exile (Ezra 9-10, Nehemiah 13:23-27). The 'month devouring them' likely references rapid Assyrian conquest. Historically, once Assyria mobilized against northern Israel (732 BC under Tiglath-Pileser III, 722 BC under Shalmaneser V/Sargon II), collapse came swiftly. This demonstrates that covenant curses, though delayed by divine patience, execute suddenly when judgment arrives.
Questions for Reflection
- How does parental faithfulness or unfaithfulness affect children's spiritual formation, and what responsibility do parents bear?
- What does the warning about 'strange children' teach about the necessity of multi-generational discipleship in covenant community?
Analysis & Commentary
Covenant treachery: 'They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.' The verb בָּגַד (bagad, 'dealt treacherously') describes covenant violation—marital infidelity applied to God-Israel relationship. The 'strange children' (בָּנִים זָרִים, banim zarim) may be literally children from mixed marriages or figuratively covenant children raised in idolatry rather than YHWH worship. Either way, generational covenant continuity is broken. The judgment 'a month devour them' suggests swift, sudden destruction—one new moon cycle suffices to consume them. Covenant faithfulness must transmit generationally; failure produces children who don't know God (Judges 2:10). Only through gospel does God adopt spiritual children from every nation (Galatians 3:26-29).