Hosea 4:7

7 The more they increased in number, the more they sinned against me. I will change their glory into shame.

Hosea 4:7 Meaning and Commentary

Hosea 4:7

As they were increased, so they sinned against me
As the children of the priests increased and grew up, they sinned against the Lord, imitating their parents; they were as many sinners as they were persons, not one to be excepted: this expresses their universal depravity and corruption. Some understand it of their increase, as in number, so in riches, wealth, honour, dignity, and authority, and yet they sinned more and more; which shows their ingratitude. So the Targum,

``as I have multiplied fruits unto them''

Therefore will I change their glory into shame,
take away their priesthood from them, so that they shall be no more priests, and as if they never had been; and reduce them to a state of poverty, meanness, and disgrace; and cause them to go into captivity with the meanest of the people; and be in no more honour, but subject to as much scorn and contempt as they.

Hosea 4:7 In-Context

5 Therefore you will stumble by day, and the prophet will stumble with you at night. "I will destroy your mother.

6 My people are destroyed for want of knowledge. Because you rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as cohen for me. Because you forgot the Torah of your God, I will also forget your children.

7 The more they increased in number, the more they sinned against me. I will change their glory into shame.

8 They feed on the sin of my people and are greedy for their crimes.

9 But the cohen will fare no better than the people; I will punish him for his ways and pay him back for his deeds.