Hosea 7:2
And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.
Original Language Analysis
וּבַל
H1077
וּבַל
Strong's:
H1077
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
לִלְבָבָ֔ם
not in their hearts
H3824
לִלְבָבָ֔ם
not in their hearts
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
3 of 12
the heart (as the most interior organ)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
רָעָתָ֖ם
all their wickedness
H7451
רָעָתָ֖ם
all their wickedness
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
5 of 12
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
זָכָ֑רְתִּי
that I remember
H2142
זָכָ֑רְתִּי
that I remember
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
עַתָּה֙
H6258
סְבָב֣וּם
have beset them about
H5437
סְבָב֣וּם
have beset them about
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
8 of 12
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
נֶ֥גֶד
H5048
נֶ֥גֶד
Strong's:
H5048
Word #:
10 of 12
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
Cross References
Psalms 90:8Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.Luke 12:2For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.Jeremiah 2:19Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.Jeremiah 14:10Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.Amos 8:7The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.Hebrews 4:13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.Isaiah 5:12And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.Psalms 9:16The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.Psalms 25:7Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.Jeremiah 16:17For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.
Historical Context
Israel's presumption that secret sins escaped divine notice proved false - judgment demonstrated God's complete awareness. Every hidden conspiracy, secret alliance, covert idol worship faced accountability. Modern parallel: assuming privacy or passage of time erases guilt. Yet Ecclesiastes 12:14 warns: 'God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing.' Only confession and Christ's cleansing blood addresses sins God remembers. His forgiveness means He 'remembers their sins no more' (Hebrews 8:12) - gracious divine amnesia contrasting with judicial memory.
Questions for Reflection
- What sins do I assume God doesn't notice or care about, failing to 'consider that He remembers'?
- How does God's omniscient memory of sin drive me to Christ's atoning sacrifice and promise of divine forgiveness?
Analysis & Commentary
And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.' Israel doesn't 'consider' (lo-yamru le-levavam) - literally 'they don't say to their hearts.' They fail to internalize that God remembers all sin. 'Their doings have beset them' means their sins surround them - inescapable. 'Before my face' emphasizes God's omniscient witness. This describes self-deception - assuming God doesn't notice or care. Psalm 90:8 declares: 'You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.' Only Christ's atonement addresses sins God fully knows and remembers.