Hosea 9:1

Authorized King James Version

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Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor.

Original Language Analysis

אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 1 of 16
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּשְׂמַ֨ח Rejoice H8055
תִּשְׂמַ֨ח Rejoice
Strong's: H8055
Word #: 2 of 16
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל׀ not O Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל׀ not O Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 3 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 4 of 16
near, with or among; often in general, to
גִּיל֙ for joy H1524
גִּיל֙ for joy
Strong's: H1524
Word #: 5 of 16
a revolution (of time, i.e., an age); also joy
כָּֽעַמִּ֔ים as other people H5971
כָּֽעַמִּ֔ים as other people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 6 of 16
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 7 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
זָנִ֖יתָ for thou hast gone a whoring H2181
זָנִ֖יתָ for thou hast gone a whoring
Strong's: H2181
Word #: 8 of 16
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
מֵעַ֣ל H5921
מֵעַ֣ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 9 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ from thy God H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ from thy God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 10 of 16
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
אָהַ֣בְתָּ thou hast loved H157
אָהַ֣בְתָּ thou hast loved
Strong's: H157
Word #: 11 of 16
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
אֶתְנָ֔ן a reward H868
אֶתְנָ֔ן a reward
Strong's: H868
Word #: 12 of 16
a gift (as the price of harlotry or idolatry)
עַ֖ל H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 13 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 14 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גָּרְנ֥וֹת upon every cornfloor H1637
גָּרְנ֥וֹת upon every cornfloor
Strong's: H1637
Word #: 15 of 16
a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area
דָּגָֽן׃ H1715
דָּגָֽן׃
Strong's: H1715
Word #: 16 of 16
properly, increase, i.e., grain

Analysis & Commentary

Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor.' Israel warned against rejoicing like pagans celebrating harvest. Their harvest festivals dishonored God through attributing provision to Baal and practicing cult prostitution ('loved reward upon every cornfloor'). 'Reward' (ethnan) means prostitute's wages - they treated provision as payment from Baal for ritual sex. This perverted worship. True thanksgiving recognizes God as Provider. James 1:17 declares: 'Every good gift comes from Father of lights.' Only worship acknowledging God's provision honors Him.

Historical Context

Harvest festivals in Israel copied Canaanite fertility cult practices - sexual ritual at threshing floors, crediting Baal for crops. Archaeological evidence confirms cult prostitution at high places and agricultural sites. Deuteronomy 26:1-11 prescribed thanksgiving offerings recognizing YHWH as Provider, but Israel corrupted this. Modern parallel: celebration of provision without acknowledging God as source constitutes practical atheism. Only grateful worship recognizing divine providence honors God and sustains blessing.

Questions for Reflection