Hosea 6:1-8

1 “Come, let us return to the LORD . He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds.

2 In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence.

3 Oh, that we might know the LORD ! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”

4 “O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?” asks the LORD . “For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight.

5 I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces— to slaughter you with my words, with judgments as inescapable as light.

6 I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.

7 But like Adam, you broke my covenant and betrayed my trust.

8 “Gilead is a city of sinners, tracked with footprints of blood.

Hosea 6:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 6

This chapter gives an account of some who were truly penitent, and stirred up one another to return to the Lord, encouraged by his power, grace, and goodness, Ho 6:1-3; and of others, who had only a form of religion, were very unstable in it; regarded more the ceremonial law, and the external sacrifices of it, than the moral law; either that part of it which respects the love of the neighbour, or that which concerns the knowledge of God; and dealt treacherously with the Lord, transgressing the covenant, Ho 6:4-7; particularly the city of Gilead is represented as full of the workers of iniquity, and is charged with bloodshed, Ho 6:8; yea, even the priests were guilty of murder and lewdness, Ho 6:9; and Israel, or the ten tribes in general, are accused of whoredom, both corporeal and spiritual, with which they were defiled, Ho 6:10; nor was Judah clear of these crimes, and therefore a reckoning day is set for them, Ho 6:11.

Footnotes

• [a] Hebrew Ephraim, referring to the northern kingdom of Israel.
• [b] Greek version translates this Hebrew term as to show mercy. Compare Matt 9:13 ; 12:7 .
• [c] Hebrew to know God.
• [d] Or But at Adam.