Hosea 8:2

Authorized King James Version

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Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee.

Original Language Analysis

לִ֖י H0
לִ֖י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 1 of 5
יִזְעָ֑קוּ shall cry H2199
יִזְעָ֑קוּ shall cry
Strong's: H2199
Word #: 2 of 5
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
אֱלֹהַ֥י unto me My God H430
אֱלֹהַ֥י unto me My God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 3 of 5
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
יְֽדַעֲנ֖וּךָ we know H3045
יְֽדַעֲנ֖וּךָ we know
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 4 of 5
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 5 of 5
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis & Commentary

False profession: 'Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee.' Despite crying אֱלֹהַי (Elohai, My God), claiming יָדַעֲנוּךָ (yeda'anukha, we know You), actions contradict profession. This describes false assurance—religious language without transformed life. Jesus warns: 'Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord' (Matthew 7:21). Profession must match practice; faith without works is dead (James 2:17). True knowledge of God transforms behavior (1 John 2:3-4: 'Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments'). Only Spirit-given faith produces genuine profession (1 Corinthians 12:3).

Historical Context

Israel maintained religious vocabulary and forms while violating covenant substance. They invoked YHWH's name, brought sacrifices, observed festivals—yet worshiped Baal, practiced injustice, pursued foreign alliances. This disconnect between confession and conduct characterized northern kingdom throughout its existence. Jesus confronted similar hypocrisy in Pharisees (Matthew 23). The cry 'My God, we know You' likely represents Israel's appeals during Assyrian crisis—desperate invocation without prior faithfulness. Church history parallels: cultural Christianity professing faith while living in practical atheism. Profession without life-transformation reveals false faith.

Questions for Reflection