Hosea 7:3
They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The chaotic final decades of northern Israel saw leaders maintaining power through deception, flattery, and conspiracy rather than justice. The political instability (six kings in 30 years, four assassinated) created environment rewarding treachery. Leaders who validated false worship and moral corruption remained popular; prophets speaking truth faced opposition (Amos 7:10-13, 1 Kings 22:8). This pattern recurs throughout history: corrupt leaders surrounding themselves with yes-men who tell them what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3-4). When leaders delight in wickedness, entire societies corrupt. Reformation addressed this: leaders accountable to God's Word rather than personal preference.
Questions for Reflection
- How does leadership that delights in wickedness rather than righteousness corrupt entire communities?
- What responsibility do Christians have to speak truth even when leaders prefer lies and flattery?
Analysis & Commentary
Entertaining wickedness: 'They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.' Political leaders delight in evil—the king rejoices (שִׂמַּח, simach) in subjects' רָעָה (ra'ah, wickedness/evil), princes in כְּזָבִים (kezavim, lies/deceptions). This inverted moral order—rulers rewarding evil rather than punishing it—guarantees societal collapse. When leaders love lies, truth becomes dangerous; when wickedness pleases authority, righteousness suffers persecution. Isaiah similarly condemns those who 'call evil good, and good evil' (Isaiah 5:20). Only Christ establishes righteous rule, the King who loves righteousness and hates wickedness (Psalm 45:7, Hebrews 1:8-9).