Hosea 9:7
The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.
Original Language Analysis
יְמֵ֣י
The days
H3117
יְמֵ֣י
The days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 18
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַפְּקֻדָּ֗ה
of visitation
H6486
הַפְּקֻדָּ֗ה
of visitation
Strong's:
H6486
Word #:
3 of 18
visitation (in many senses, chiefly official)
יְמֵ֣י
The days
H3117
יְמֵ֣י
The days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 18
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַשִׁלֻּ֔ם
of recompence
H7966
הַשִׁלֻּ֔ם
of recompence
Strong's:
H7966
Word #:
6 of 18
a requital, i.e., (secure) retribution, (venal) a fee
יֵדְע֖וּ
shall know
H3045
יֵדְע֖וּ
shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
7 of 18
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אִ֣ישׁ
man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
12 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הָר֔וּחַ
the spiritual
H7307
הָר֔וּחַ
the spiritual
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
13 of 18
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
עַ֚ל
H5921
עַ֚ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Micah 7:4The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.2 Kings 9:11Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication.Isaiah 10:3And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?Jeremiah 10:15They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.Mark 3:21And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.Ezekiel 13:3Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!Lamentations 2:14Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.
Historical Context
Israel mocked prophets (Amos 7:12-13, Hosea called fool), rejecting warnings. Yet Assyrian conquest vindicated prophecies - Israel learned truth through experiencing predicted judgment. This pattern recurs: societies rejecting biblical proclamation eventually face consequences proving truth of warnings. Jesus wept over Jerusalem refusing Him (Luke 19:41-44), predicting destruction Rome executed (70 AD). Modern application: dismissing biblical warnings as foolishness doesn't prevent judgment, merely removes excuse. Only humble reception of God's word provides safety.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways do I dismiss biblical warnings as foolish, risking the consequences prophets accurately predicted?
- How does judgment vindicating rejected prophets demonstrate both Scripture's reliability and necessity of heeding it?
Analysis & Commentary
The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred. Visitation and recompense - judgment has arrived. Israel shall know emphasizes certainty. The prophet called fool and spiritual man called mad describes rejection of God's messengers. Cause: multitude of iniquity and great hatred. When societies reject prophetic voices, judgment proves prophets right. Only heeding God's word prevents disaster.