Hosea 7:10

Authorized King James Version

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And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.

Original Language Analysis

וְעָנָ֥ה testifieth H6030
וְעָנָ֥ה testifieth
Strong's: H6030
Word #: 1 of 13
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
גְאֽוֹן And the pride H1347
גְאֽוֹן And the pride
Strong's: H1347
Word #: 2 of 13
the same as h1346
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 3 of 13
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בְּפָנָ֑יו to his face H6440
בְּפָנָ֑יו to his face
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 4 of 13
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁ֙בוּ֙ and they do not return H7725
שָׁ֙בוּ֙ and they do not return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 6 of 13
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 7 of 13
near, with or among; often in general, to
יְהוָ֣ה to the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה to the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 8 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֔ם their God H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֔ם their God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 9 of 13
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְלֹ֥א H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 13
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בִקְשֻׁ֖הוּ nor seek H1245
בִקְשֻׁ֖הוּ nor seek
Strong's: H1245
Word #: 11 of 13
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
בְּכָל H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 12 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זֹֽאת׃ H2063
זֹֽאת׃
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 13 of 13
this (often used adverb)

Analysis & Commentary

Pride preventing return: 'And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.' Repeating 5:5, the indictment emphasizes pride (גְּאוֹן יִשְׂרָאֵל, ge'on Yisrael) testifying to face (עָנָה בְפָנָיו, anah befanav)—self-accusatory witness. Despite everything ('for all this,' בְּכָל־זֹאת, bekhol-zot), they neither return (שָׁב, shuv) nor seek (בִּקֵּשׁ, biqesh) YHWH. Pride prevents repentance—self-sufficiency refusing to admit need, recognize guilt, or seek help. Proverbs 16:18: pride precedes destruction. Only humility enables returning to God (James 4:6: 'God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble'). Christ exemplifies perfect humility (Philippians 2:5-8), making repentance possible.

Historical Context

Despite mounting evidence—prophetic warnings, territorial losses, political chaos, economic decline—Israel persisted in proud self-deception. Pride manifested in false confidence (military strength, alliances, ritual religion) despite obvious failure. The repetition from 5:5 emphasizes persistence in pride despite intervening chapters detailing judgment. This demonstrates that pride is not merely personal vice but corporate delusion affecting entire nations/churches. When communities become proud, even disaster doesn't produce humility or repentance. Church history shows reformation often requiring catastrophic collapse before proud communities acknowledge need for change. Only divine grace breaks pride's grip.

Questions for Reflection