Hosea 4:7

7 According to their greatness, so did they sin against me; therefore I will change their honour 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 thou shalt fall in the day, and the prophet shall also fall with thee by night, and I will cut off thy mother.

6 My people were cut off because they lacked wisdom; because thou hast rejected wisdom, I will cast thee out of the priesthood; seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy sons.

7 According to their greatness, so did they sin against me; therefore I will change their honour into shame.

8 They eat up the sin of my people, and in their iniquity they raise up their soul.

9 The people shall become like the priest; and I will visit his ways upon him, and they shall reward him according to his doings.