Bible Commentaries
Hosea 4

Introduction

Overview

Hosea 4:1, God denounces judgments on Israel, for their aggravated impieties and iniquities; Hosea 4:12, He exposes the ignorance and wickedness of the priests, and profligacy of the people, he will leave their wives and daughters to commit lewdness, without present punishment; Hosea 4:15, He warns Judah, not to imitate Israel’s crimes, which are still further reproved.

Verse 1

Cir, am 3224, bc 780

Hear: 1 Kings 22:19, Isaiah 1:10, Isaiah 28:14, Isaiah 34:1, Isaiah 66:5, Jeremiah 2:4, Jeremiah 7:2, Jeremiah 9:20, Jeremiah 19:3, Jeremiah 34:4, Amos 7:16, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:29

for: Hosea 12:2, Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 3:13, Isaiah 3:14, Isaiah 5:3, Isaiah 34:8, Jeremiah 25:31, Micah 6:2

no truth: Isaiah 59:13-15, Jeremiah 6:13, Jeremiah 7:3-6, Micah 7:2-5

nor knowledge: Jeremiah 4:22, Jeremiah 4:28, Jeremiah 5:4, John 8:55, Romans 1:28, 1 Corinthians 15:34

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:11 - filled Genesis 6:13 - filled 2 Kings 17:7 - sinned 1 Chronicles 28:9 - know thou Proverbs 3:3 - mercy Proverbs 6:17 - lying Isaiah 24:20 - the transgression Isaiah 27:8 - thou wilt Isaiah 59:8 - no Isaiah 59:15 - truth Jeremiah 5:2 - though Jeremiah 7:9 - steal Jeremiah 7:28 - truth Jeremiah 9:3 - they know Jeremiah 10:1 - General Jeremiah 51:5 - though Ezekiel 16:35 - hear Ezekiel 20:35 - and there Hosea 4:6 - for Hosea 4:14 - therefore Hosea 5:1 - O priests Hosea 5:4 - and Hosea 6:6 - the Hosea 12:6 - keep Amos 2:6 - For three Amos 3:1 - Hear Micah 6:12 - the rich Zechariah 8:16 - Speak Matthew 21:33 - Hear John 7:28 - whom 1 Timothy 1:10 - perjured

Verse 2

swearing: Isaiah 24:5, Isaiah 48:1, Isaiah 59:2-8, Isaiah 59:12-15, Jeremiah 5:1, Jeremiah 5:2, Jeremiah 5:7-9, Jeremiah 5:26, Jeremiah 5:27, Jeremiah 6:7, Jeremiah 7:6-10, Jeremiah 9:2-8, Jeremiah 23:10-14, Ezekiel 22:2-13, Ezekiel 22:25-30, Micah 2:1-3, Micah 3:2, Micah 3:9, Micah 6:10, Micah 7:2, Zephaniah 3:1, Zechariah 5:3, Zechariah 7:9

blood: Heb. bloods

toucheth: Hosea 5:2, Hosea 6:9, Lamentations 4:13, Matthew 23:35, Acts 7:52, 1 Thessalonians 2:15, Revelation 17:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:11 - filled Genesis 6:13 - filled Numbers 35:33 - it defileth Deuteronomy 28:30 - betroth Psalms 50:19 - tongue Psalms 51:14 - bloodguiltiness Psalms 59:12 - cursing Proverbs 6:17 - lying Isaiah 3:13 - standeth up Isaiah 30:9 - lying Isaiah 59:3 - your hands Isaiah 59:8 - no Isaiah 59:15 - truth Jeremiah 13:27 - thine adulteries Lamentations 4:14 - so that men could not touch Ezekiel 7:23 - for Ezekiel 11:6 - General Ezekiel 21:24 - your transgressions Ezekiel 22:9 - they commit Ezekiel 23:37 - and blood Hosea 4:18 - committed Hosea 7:4 - are all Amos 2:6 - For three Micah 6:12 - the rich Nahum 3:1 - full Zechariah 8:16 - Speak Ephesians 4:25 - putting Ephesians 4:28 - him that 1 Timothy 1:10 - perjured

Verse 3

the land: Isaiah 24:4-12, Jeremiah 4:27, Joel 1:10-13, Amos 1:2, Amos 5:16, Amos 8:8, Nahum 1:4

with the beasts: Jeremiah 4:25, Jeremiah 12:4, Ezekiel 38:20, Zephaniah 1:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:7 - General Genesis 7:21 - General Numbers 35:33 - it defileth Judges 18:20 - heart Jeremiah 4:28 - the earth Jeremiah 9:10 - both Jeremiah 14:2 - mourneth Jeremiah 21:6 - I will Jeremiah 23:10 - full Ezekiel 11:6 - General Ezekiel 14:17 - so that Joel 1:18 - General Amos 9:5 - and all Romans 8:20 - the creature

Verse 4

let: Hosea 4:17, Amos 5:13, Amos 6:10, Matthew 7:3-6

as: Deuteronomy 17:12, Jeremiah 18:18

Reciprocal: Psalms 95:11 - my rest Malachi 2:12 - the master and the scholar

Verse 5

and the prophet: Hosea 9:7, Hosea 9:8, Isaiah 9:13-17, Jeremiah 6:4, Jeremiah 6:5, Jeremiah 6:12-15, Jeremiah 8:10-12, Jeremiah 14:15, Jeremiah 14:16, Jeremiah 15:8, Jeremiah 23:9, Ezekiel 13:9-16, Ezekiel 14:8-10, Micah 3:5-7, Zechariah 11:8, Zechariah 13:2

destroy: Heb. cut off

thy: Hosea 2:2, Isaiah 50:1, Jeremiah 15:8, Jeremiah 50:12, Ezekiel 16:44, Ezekiel 16:45, Galatians 4:26

Reciprocal: Isaiah 9:14 - will cut Jeremiah 8:12 - therefore Hosea 2:5 - their mother Hosea 4:14 - therefore Hosea 5:5 - fall in Zechariah 11:17 - the sword Malachi 2:12 - the master and the scholar

Verse 6

My people: Hosea 4:12, Isaiah 1:3, Isaiah 3:12, Isaiah 5:13, Jeremiah 4:22, Jeremiah 8:7

destroyed: Heb. cut off

for: Hosea 4:1, Hosea 6:6, 2 Chronicles 15:3, Job 36:12, Proverbs 19:2, Isaiah 27:11, Isaiah 45:20, Jeremiah 5:3, Jeremiah 5:4, Jeremiah 5:21, Matthew 15:14, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

because: 1 Samuel 2:12, Proverbs 1:30-32, Isaiah 28:7, Isaiah 56:10-12, Jeremiah 2:8, Jeremiah 8:8, Jeremiah 8:9, Malachi 2:7, Malachi 2:8, Matthew 23:16-26

I will also reject: Zechariah 11:8, Zechariah 11:9, Zechariah 11:15-17, Malachi 2:1-3, Malachi 2:9, Matthew 21:41-45, Mark 12:8, Mark 12:9, Luke 20:16-18

seeing: Hosea 8:14, Hosea 13:6, 2 Kings 17:16-20, Psalms 119:61, Psalms 119:139, Isaiah 17:10, Matthew 15:3-6

I will also: Hosea 1:6, 1 Samuel 2:28-36, 1 Samuel 3:12-15

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 31:9 - the priests Deuteronomy 32:28 - General Deuteronomy 33:10 - They shall teach 1 Samuel 15:26 - for thou 2 Kings 16:11 - built an altar 1 Chronicles 28:9 - know thou Nehemiah 8:9 - the Levites Psalms 50:22 - forget Psalms 119:144 - understanding Psalms 119:176 - for I do Proverbs 3:1 - forget Proverbs 10:21 - fools Proverbs 29:18 - there Isaiah 29:12 - I am not Isaiah 43:27 - and thy Jeremiah 6:19 - nor to Jeremiah 8:12 - therefore Jeremiah 9:6 - refuse Jeremiah 23:39 - even I Jeremiah 44:12 - from the Ezekiel 44:12 - they ministered Ezekiel 44:23 - General Hosea 4:14 - therefore Hosea 5:1 - O priests Hosea 8:12 - but Zephaniah 3:4 - her priests Zechariah 7:3 - speak Malachi 1:6 - O priests Malachi 2:6 - law Matthew 15:6 - Thus Mark 11:33 - We Romans 1:28 - as they did Romans 3:11 - none that understandeth

Verse 7

they were: Hosea 4:10, Hosea 5:1, Hosea 6:9, Hosea 13:6, Hosea 13:14, Ezra 9:7

therefore: 1 Samuel 2:30, Jeremiah 2:26, Jeremiah 2:27, Malachi 2:9, Philippians 3:19

Reciprocal: Psalms 4:2 - my glory Isaiah 9:3 - hast multiplied Jeremiah 23:40 - General Habakkuk 2:16 - with shame for glory Malachi 2:2 - and I

Verse 8

eat: Leviticus 6:26, Leviticus 7:6, Leviticus 7:7

set their heart on their iniquity: Heb. lift up their soul to their iniquity, 1 Samuel 2:29, Psalms 24:4, Psalms 25:1, Isaiah 56:11, Ezekiel 14:3, Ezekiel 14:7, Micah 3:11, Malachi 1:10, Romans 16:18, Titus 1:11, 2 Peter 2:3

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:13 - shall be Judges 18:4 - hired me 2 Kings 12:16 - trespass money 2 Chronicles 11:16 - set Proverbs 19:28 - the Jeremiah 5:23 - a revolting Amos 2:8 - they drink John 15:5 - same Acts 19:25 - ye know 1 Corinthians 13:6 - Rejoiceth not

Verse 9

like people: Isaiah 9:14-16, Isaiah 24:2, Jeremiah 5:31, Jeremiah 8:10-12, Jeremiah 23:11, Jeremiah 23:12, Ezekiel 22:26-31, Matthew 15:14

punish: Heb. visit upon, Hosea 1:4, *marg.

reward them: Heb. cause to return, Psalms 109:17, Psalms 109:18, Proverbs 5:22, Isaiah 3:10, Zechariah 1:6

Reciprocal: Judges 18:4 - hired me 1 Samuel 2:22 - did unto 1 Kings 2:44 - return Acts 23:14 - General

Verse 10

they shall eat: Leviticus 26:26, Proverbs 13:25, Isaiah 65:13-16, Micah 6:14, Haggai 1:6, Malachi 2:1-3

they shall commit: Hosea 4:14, Hosea 9:11-17

left: 2 Chronicles 24:17, Psalms 36:3, Psalms 125:5, Jeremiah 34:15, Ezekiel 18:24, Zephaniah 1:6, 2 Peter 2:20-22

Reciprocal: Isaiah 5:12 - they regard Isaiah 30:1 - that take Ezekiel 16:15 - and playedst Ezekiel 22:9 - they commit Hosea 4:7 - they were Hosea 4:18 - committed

Verse 11

take: Hosea 4:12, Proverbs 6:32, Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23:27-35, Ecclesiastes 7:7, Isaiah 5:12, Isaiah 28:7, Luke 21:34, Romans 13:11-14

Reciprocal: Genesis 38:18 - gave it her 1 Kings 11:8 - all his strange wives 1 Kings 11:9 - his heart 1 Kings 20:16 - Benhadad Proverbs 5:14 - General Proverbs 5:22 - His Proverbs 17:16 - seeing Proverbs 23:28 - increaseth Proverbs 31:3 - strength Proverbs 31:4 - General Isaiah 28:1 - drunkards Isaiah 56:12 - I will Isaiah 57:5 - Enflaming Hosea 2:8 - wine Hosea 3:1 - love flagons Hosea 6:10 - there Hosea 7:11 - without Amos 2:6 - For three

Verse 12

ask: Jeremiah 2:27, Jeremiah 10:8, Ezekiel 21:21, Habakkuk 2:19

for: Hosea 5:4, Isaiah 44:18-20, Micah 2:11, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11

gone: Hosea 9:1, Leviticus 17:7, Leviticus 20:5, Numbers 15:39, Deuteronomy 31:16, 2 Chronicles 21:13, Psalms 73:27, Jeremiah 3:1-3, Ezekiel 16:1-63, Ezekiel 23:1-49

Reciprocal: Exodus 34:15 - whoring Leviticus 19:29 - to cause Leviticus 20:6 - go Judges 8:27 - a whoring Judges 18:5 - Ask counsel 1 Kings 11:8 - all his strange wives 2 Kings 16:15 - for me to inquire by Proverbs 6:32 - understanding Proverbs 31:4 - General Isaiah 28:7 - err in Isaiah 44:14 - heweth Isaiah 44:20 - a deceived Jeremiah 3:9 - committed Hosea 2:5 - their mother Hosea 4:6 - My people Hosea 4:11 - take Hosea 4:15 - play Hosea 7:4 - are all Hebrews 3:10 - err Hebrews 9:7 - errors 1 John 4:6 - and

Verse 13

sacrifice: Isaiah 1:29, Isaiah 57:5, Isaiah 57:7, Jeremiah 3:6, Jeremiah 3:13, Ezekiel 6:13, Ezekiel 16:16, Ezekiel 16:25, Ezekiel 20:28, Ezekiel 20:29

therefore: 2 Samuel 12:10-12, Job 31:9, Job 31:10, Amos 7:17, Romans 1:23-28

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 12:2 - possess 2 Samuel 12:11 - I will take Proverbs 5:9 - General Jeremiah 5:7 - they then Jeremiah 17:2 - their children

Verse 14

I will not: or, Shall I not, etc

punish: Hosea 4:17, Isaiah 1:5, Hebrews 12:8

for: 1 Corinthians 6:16

and they: 1 Kings 14:23, 1 Kings 14:24, 1 Kings 15:12, 2 Kings 23:7

therefore: Hosea 4:1, Hosea 4:5, Hosea 4:6, Hosea 14:9, Proverbs 28:5, Isaiah 44:18-20, Isaiah 56:11, Daniel 12:10, John 8:43, Romans 3:11, Ephesians 4:18

fall: or, be punished

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 12:11 - I will take Job 31:10 - and let Proverbs 2:19 - None Proverbs 5:9 - General Jeremiah 5:7 - they then Jeremiah 17:2 - their children Ezekiel 14:7 - separateth Ezekiel 22:9 - they commit Hosea 4:10 - they shall commit Hosea 9:10 - separated Amos 7:17 - Thy wife Luke 6:49 - immediately

Verse 15

play: Hosea 4:12, Jeremiah 3:6-10, Ezekiel 23:4-8

yet: Hosea 11:12, 2 Kings 17:18, 2 Kings 17:19, Jeremiah 3:10, Jeremiah 3:11, Luke 12:47, Luke 12:48, Ephesians 5:11

Gilgal: Hosea 9:15, Hosea 12:11, Amos 4:4, Amos 5:5

Bethaven: Hosea 5:8, Hosea 10:5, Hosea 10:8, 1 Kings 12:28, 1 Kings 12:29

nor: Isaiah 48:1, Jeremiah 5:2, Ezekiel 20:39, Amos 6:10, Amos 8:14, Zephaniah 1:5, Zephaniah 1:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 28:19 - the name Genesis 38:24 - played the harlot Joshua 7:2 - Bethaven Joshua 18:12 - the wilderness 1 Samuel 13:5 - Bethaven 2 Samuel 19:20 - Joseph 2 Kings 2:23 - Bethel 2 Kings 17:13 - and against 2 Kings 23:4 - Bethel 2 Chronicles 17:4 - not after Jeremiah 3:8 - when for Jeremiah 5:7 - sworn by Micah 1:1 - concerning

Verse 16

slideth: Hosea 11:7, 1 Samuel 15:11, Jeremiah 3:6, Jeremiah 3:8, Jeremiah 3:11, Jeremiah 5:6, Jeremiah 7:24, Jeremiah 8:5, Jeremiah 14:7, Zechariah 7:11, *marg.

as a lamb: Leviticus 26:33, Isaiah 7:21-25, Isaiah 22:18

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 22:20 - brought Proverbs 14:14 - backslider Isaiah 30:23 - thy cattle Jeremiah 2:19 - and thy Jeremiah 15:6 - thou art Jeremiah 31:22 - backsliding Jeremiah 49:4 - O backsliding Hosea 10:11 - an heifer Zephaniah 1:6 - turned

Verse 17

Ephraim: Hosea 11:2, Hosea 12:1, Hosea 13:2

let: Hosea 4:4, Psalms 81:12, Matthew 15:14, Revelation 22:11

Reciprocal: Exodus 14:12 - Let us alone 1 Kings 11:33 - they have forsaken Ezekiel 3:26 - and shalt Ezekiel 20:39 - Go ye Hosea 4:14 - punish Hosea 5:3 - thou Hosea 6:10 - there Hosea 7:1 - the iniquity Matthew 16:4 - And he Mark 8:13 - General Acts 7:42 - and gave Acts 14:16 - suffered Romans 1:24 - God 1 Corinthians 14:38 - General

Verse 18

drink: Deuteronomy 32:32, Deuteronomy 32:33, Isaiah 1:21, Isaiah 1:22, Jeremiah 2:21

sour: Heb. gone

committed: Hosea 4:2, Hosea 4:10, 2 Kings 17:7-17

her: Exodus 23:8, Deuteronomy 16:19, 1 Samuel 8:3, 1 Samuel 12:3, 1 Samuel 12:4, Proverbs 30:15, Proverbs 30:16, Amos 5:12, Micah 3:11, Micah 7:3

rulers: Heb. shields, Psalms 47:9

Reciprocal: Proverbs 28:21 - for Isaiah 1:23 - every Hosea 5:3 - thou Acts 24:26 - hoped Romans 1:24 - God

Verse 19

wind: Jeremiah 4:11, Jeremiah 4:12, Jeremiah 51:1, Zechariah 5:9-11

and: Hosea 10:6, Isaiah 1:29, Isaiah 42:17, Jeremiah 2:26, Jeremiah 2:27, Jeremiah 2:36, Jeremiah 2:37, Jeremiah 3:24, Jeremiah 3:25, Jeremiah 17:13

Reciprocal: Job 30:22 - liftest me Isaiah 64:6 - our iniquities Jeremiah 22:22 - wind Hosea 13:15 - an east