Hosea 4:7

7 The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me. I^[a] will change their honor into disgrace.

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 You will stumble by day; the prophet will also stumble with you by night. And I will destroy your mother.

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will reject you from serving as My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your sons.

7 The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me. I will change their honor into disgrace.

8 They feed on the sin of My people; they have an appetite for their transgressions.

9 [The same judgment] will happen to both people and priests. I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.

Footnotes

• [a]. Alt Hb tradition, Syr, Tg read They