Hosea 4:10-19

10 ¹They will eat, but not have enough; They will ²play the harlot, but not increase, Because they have ³stopped giving heed to the LORD.

11 Harlotry, ⁴wine and new wine take away the understanding.

12 My people ⁵consult their wooden idol, and their diviner's wand informs them; For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray, And they have played the harlot, departing from their God.

13 They offer sacrifices on the ⁶tops of the mountains And ⁷burn incense on the hills, ⁸Under oak, poplar and terebinth, Because their shade is pleasant. Therefore * your daughters play the harlot And your brides commit adultery.

14 I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot Or your brides when they commit adultery, For the men themselves go apart with harlots And offer sacrifices with ⁹temple prostitutes; So the people without understanding are ruined.

15 Though you, Israel, play the harlot, Do not let Judah become guilty; Also do not go to ¹⁰Gilgal, Or go up to Beth-aven ¹¹And take the oath: "As the LORD lives!"

16 Since Israel is ¹²stubborn Like a stubborn heifer, Can the LORD now ¹³pasture them Like a lamb in a large field?

17 Ephraim is joined to ¹⁴idols; ¹⁵Let him alone.

18 Their liquor gone, They play the harlot continually; ¹⁶Their rulers dearly love shame.

19 ¹⁷The wind wraps them in its wings, And they will be ashamed because of their sacrifices.

Hosea 4:10-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 4

This chapter contains a new sermon or prophecy, delivered in proper and express words, without types and figures, as before; in which the people of Israel are summoned to appear at the tribunal of God, to hear the charge brought against them, and the sentence to be pronounced upon them, and which would be executed. They are charged with sins of omission and commission; with want of truth and mercy to men, and with ignorance of God; with swearing, lying, murder, theft, and adultery, Ho 4:1,2, the punishment threatened is the sword, famine, and pestilence; which should affect the whole land, and all creatures in it, men, beasts, fowls, and fishes, Ho 4:3, then the priests and false prophets are threatened with falling into calamities along with the people, and with rejection from their office, and forgetfulness of their posterity, and a taking away their glory from them, because of their striving with the true prophets; their rejection of knowledge; forgetfulness of the law of God; covetousness, adultery, and drunkenness, Ho 4:4-11, then the discourse is turned to the people again, who are charged with divination and idolatry, which is spiritual adultery; and therefore, by way of retaliation, their wives and daughters would be left to commit adultery and fornication, Ho 4:12-14, and the chapter is concluded with advice to Israel not to tempt Judah to sin; or to Judah not to do the like, after the example of Israel, who were backsliders, idolaters, left of God and alone; guilty of bribery, and the like shameful things, and would be suddenly filled with shame, Ho 4:15-19.

Cross References

• 1. Leviticus 26:26; Isaiah 65:13; Micah 6:14
• 2. Hosea 7:4
• 3. Hosea 9:17
• 4. Proverbs 20:1; Isaiah 5:12; Isaiah 28:7
• 5. Isaiah 44:19; Jeremiah 2:27
• 6. Jeremiah 3:6
• 7. Hosea 2:13; Hosea 11:2
• 8. Isaiah 1:29; Jeremiah 2:20
• 9. Deuteronomy 23:17
• 10. Hosea 9:15; Hosea 12:11
• 11. Jeremiah 5:2; Jeremiah 44:26; Amos 8:14
• 12. Psalms 78:8
• 13. Isaiah 5:17; Isaiah 7:25
• 14. Hosea 13:2
• 15. Psalms 81:12; Hosea 4:4
• 16. Micah 3:11
• 17. Hosea 12:1; Hosea 13:15

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "forsaken giving heed;" or "forsaken the LORD to practice" (v 11) "harlotry"
• [b] Lit "heart"
• [c] Lit "from under"
• [d] Or "offer sacrifices"
• [e] Or "daughters-in-law"
• [f] Or "daughters-in-law"
• [g] Lit "thrust down"
• [h] Or "Now the LORD will pasture...field"
• [i] Lit "shields"