Hosea 6:4

Authorized King James Version

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O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.

Original Language Analysis

מָ֤ה H4100
מָ֤ה
Strong's: H4100
Word #: 1 of 14
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
אֶעֱשֶׂה what shall I do H6213
אֶעֱשֶׂה what shall I do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 2 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְּךָ֙ H0
לְּךָ֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 3 of 14
אֶפְרַ֔יִם O Ephraim H669
אֶפְרַ֔יִם O Ephraim
Strong's: H669
Word #: 4 of 14
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
מָ֥ה H4100
מָ֥ה
Strong's: H4100
Word #: 5 of 14
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
אֶעֱשֶׂה what shall I do H6213
אֶעֱשֶׂה what shall I do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 6 of 14
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְּךָ֖ H0
לְּךָ֖
Strong's: H0
Word #: 7 of 14
יְהוּדָ֑ה unto thee O Judah H3063
יְהוּדָ֑ה unto thee O Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 8 of 14
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְחַסְדְּכֶם֙ unto thee for your goodness H2617
וְחַסְדְּכֶם֙ unto thee for your goodness
Strong's: H2617
Word #: 9 of 14
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
כַּֽעֲנַן cloud H6051
כַּֽעֲנַן cloud
Strong's: H6051
Word #: 10 of 14
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
בֹּ֔קֶר is as a morning H1242
בֹּ֔קֶר is as a morning
Strong's: H1242
Word #: 11 of 14
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
וְכַטַּ֖ל dew H2919
וְכַטַּ֖ל dew
Strong's: H2919
Word #: 12 of 14
dew (as covering vegetation)
מַשְׁכִּ֥ים and as the early H7925
מַשְׁכִּ֥ים and as the early
Strong's: H7925
Word #: 13 of 14
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
הֹלֵֽךְ׃ it goeth away H1980
הֹלֵֽךְ׃ it goeth away
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 14 of 14
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

God's lament: 'O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.' This expresses divine frustration - not helplessness but anguish over Israel's superficial repentance. Their 'goodness' (hesed) is transient like morning fog or dew that vanishes quickly. Repentance motivated by desire to escape consequences (6:1-3) rather than genuine grief over sin proves temporary. Jesus condemned similar religion (Matthew 15:8): 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.' True repentance produces lasting transformation through Spirit's regenerating work (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Historical Context

Israel's pattern throughout history: crisis provokes temporary reform, prosperity brings renewed apostasy. Judges cycle demonstrates this: oppression, crying out, deliverance, apostasy, oppression. Kings occasionally reformed (Jehu, Jehoash), but changes didn't last. Hosea 6:1-3 presents shallow repentance - quick 'let us return' without deep heart change. Context (6:4-6) shows God rejecting such superficiality. Modern parallel: crisis conversions that don't produce lasting discipleship. Only Spirit-wrought regeneration creates permanent transformation, not circumstantial religion.

Questions for Reflection