TG
Everything TrueGospel offers, in one place.

Study

Bible Reader Scripture Search Word Study & Lexicon Bible Study Builder Reading Plans Verse Chains

Reference

The Reference Library Topical Index

Learn

True Gospel Institute

Grow & Share

Blog Q&A Sermon Notes Bible Studies Podcast

Community

Community Student Dashboard

About

About Us Support Us Contact Log In Create Free Account
BSB
← Prev Next →

Hosea 5

BSB·15 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Hearשִׁמְעוּ־šim·‘ū- — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → thisזֹ֨אתzōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study →, O priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֜יםhak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study →! Take heedוְהַקְשִׁ֣יבוּ׀wə·haq·šî·ḇū — To listen attentively; to give heedH7181 — Full Word Study →, O houseבֵּ֣יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →! Give earהַאֲזִ֔ינוּha·’ă·zî·nū — to listen, give ear, hear attentivelyH238 — Full Word Study →, O royalהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ham·me·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → houseוּבֵ֤יתū·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →! Forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → this judgmentהַמִּשְׁפָּ֑טham·miš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → is against you becauseכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you have beenהֱיִיתֶ֣םhĕ·yî·ṯem — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a snareפַח֙p̄aḥ — Snare, trap, or thin metal sheetH6341 — Full Word Study → at Mizpahלְמִצְפָּ֔הlə·miṣ·pāh — Watchtower or LookoutH4709 — Full Word Study →, a netוְרֶ֖שֶׁתwə·re·šeṯ — Net; mesh; network; trapH7568 — Full Word Study → spread outפְּרוּשָׂ֥הpə·rū·śāh — to spread, stretch out, or extendH6566 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Taborתָּבֽוֹר׃tā·ḇō·wr — Mount Tabor, a prominent mountain in northern IsraelH8396 — Full Word Study →. 2The rebelsשֵׂטִ֖יםśê·ṭîm — Rebellion, turning aside, apostasyH7846 — Full Word Study → are deepהֶעְמִ֑יקוּhe‘·mî·qū — to be deep, deepen, or make profoundH6009 — Full Word Study → in slaughterוְשַׁחֲטָ֥הwə·ša·ḥă·ṭāh — to slaughter; to kill in sacrifice or violenceH7819 — Full Word Study →; but Iוַאֲנִ֖יwa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will chastise themמוּסָ֥רmū·sār — Discipline, instruction, or correctionH4148 — Full Word Study → allלְכֻלָּֽם׃lə·ḵul·lām — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →. 3Iאֲנִי֙’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → know all aboutיָדַ֣עְתִּיyā·ḏa‘·tî — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → Ephraimאֶפְרַ֔יִם’ep̄·ra·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study →, and Israelוְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לwə·yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → is notלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → hiddenנִכְחַ֣דniḵ·ḥaḏ — to hide, conceal, or be hiddenH3582 — Full Word Study → from Meמִמֶּ֑נִּיmim·men·nî — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →. Forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → nowעַתָּה֙‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study →, O Ephraimאֶפְרַ֔יִם’ep̄·ra·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study →, you have turned to prostitutionהִזְנֵ֣יתָhiz·nê·ṯā — to commit sexual immorality; to act as a harlot or prostituteH2181 — Full Word Study →; Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → is defiledנִטְמָ֖אniṭ·mā — to be unclean, to defile or contaminateH2930 — Full Word Study →. 4Their deedsמַ֣עַלְלֵיהֶ֔םma·‘al·lê·hem — deed, work, or actionH4611 — Full Word Study → do notלֹ֤אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → permit themיִתְּנוּ֙yit·tə·nū — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → to returnלָשׁ֖וּבlā·šūḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → their Godאֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם’ĕ·lō·hê·hem — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a spiritר֤וּחַrū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → of prostitutionזְנוּנִים֙zə·nū·nîm — Sexual immorality; fornication; whoredomH2183 — Full Word Study → is within themבְּקִרְבָּ֔םbə·qir·bām — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study →, and they do notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → knowיָדָֽעוּ׃yā·ḏā·‘ū — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 5Israel’sיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → arroganceגְאֽוֹן־ḡə·’ō·wn- — Pride, arrogance, majesty, or splendorH1347 — Full Word Study → testifiesוְעָנָ֥הwə·‘ā·nāh — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study → against themבְּפָנָ֑יוbə·p̄ā·nāw — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →; Israelוְיִשְׂרָאֵ֣לwə·yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → and Ephraimוְאֶפְרַ֗יִםwə·’ep̄·ra·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study → stumbleיִכָּֽשְׁלוּ֙yik·kā·šə·lū — to stumble, fall, or collapseH3782 — Full Word Study → in their iniquityבַּעֲוֺנָ֔םba·‘ă·wō·nām — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study →; evenגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → Judahיְהוּדָ֖הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → stumblesכָּשַׁ֥לkā·šal — to stumble, fall, or collapseH3782 — Full Word Study → with themעִמָּֽם׃‘im·mām — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study →. 6They goיֵֽלְכ֛וּyê·lə·ḵū — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → with their flocksבְּצֹאנָ֣םbə·ṣō·nām — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study → and herdsוּבִבְקָרָ֗םū·ḇiḇ·qā·rām — cattle, herd, ox, bovine livestockH1241 — Full Word Study → to seekלְבַקֵּ֥שׁlə·ḇaq·qêš — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, but they do notוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → find Himיִמְצָ֑אוּyim·ṣā·’ū — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study →; He has withdrawn Himselfחָלַ֖ץḥā·laṣ — to strip off; to arm; to deliverH2502 — Full Word Study → from them. 7They have been unfaithfulבָּגָ֔דוּbā·ḡā·ḏū — To act treacherously; betray or deal unfaithfullyH898 — Full Word Study → to the LORDבַּיהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → they have borneיָלָ֑דוּyā·lā·ḏū — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study → illegitimateזָרִ֖יםzā·rîm — to turn aside, be strange or foreignH2114 — Full Word Study → childrenבָנִ֥יםḇā·nîm — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →. Nowעַתָּ֛ה‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study → the New Moonחֹ֖דֶשׁḥō·ḏeš — A month; lunar period; new moonH2320 — Full Word Study → will devour themיֹאכְלֵ֥םyō·ḵə·lêm — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → along with their landחֶלְקֵיהֶֽם׃סḥel·qê·hem — portion, allotment, flatteryH2506 — Full Word Study →. 8Blowתִּקְע֤וּtiq·‘ū — to blow, sound, thrust, or strike with forceH8628 — Full Word Study → the ram’s hornשׁוֹפָר֙šō·w·p̄ār — Ram's horn trumpet; shofarH7782 — Full Word Study → in Gibeahבַּגִּבְעָ֔הbag·giḇ·‘āh — A hill or elevated placeH1390 — Full Word Study →, the trumpetחֲצֹצְרָ֖הḥă·ṣō·ṣə·rāh — trumpet; ceremonial wind instrumentH2689 — Full Word Study → in Ramahבָּרָמָ֑הbā·rā·māh — High place, elevatedH7414 — Full Word Study →; raise the battle cryהָרִ֙יעוּ֙hā·rî·‘ū — to shout, cry out, make a loud noiseH7321 — Full Word Study → in Beth-avenאָ֔וֶן’ā·wen — Beth-aven, a city in Benjamin's territoryH1007 — Full Word Study →: Lead onאַחֲרֶ֖יךָ’a·ḥă·re·ḵā — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study →, O Benjaminבִּנְיָמִֽין׃bin·yā·mîn — Son of the right handH1144 — Full Word Study →! 9Ephraimאֶפְרַ֙יִם֙’ep̄·ra·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study → will beתִֽהְיֶ֔הṯih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → laid wasteלְשַׁמָּ֣הlə·šam·māh — desolation, horror, ruin, devastationH8047 — Full Word Study → on the dayבְּי֖וֹםbə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of rebukeתּֽוֹכֵחָ֑הtō·w·ḵê·ḥāh — Rebuke, correction, reproofH8433 — Full Word Study →. Among the tribesבְּשִׁבְטֵי֙bə·šiḇ·ṭê — tribe; staff; scepter; rodH7626 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → I proclaimהוֹדַ֖עְתִּיhō·w·ḏa‘·tî — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → what is certainנֶאֱמָנָֽה׃ne·’ĕ·mā·nāh — to trust, believe, be faithfulH539 — Full Word Study →. 10The princesשָׂרֵ֣יśā·rê — Ruler, leader, or one in authorityH8269 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָ֔הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → are like thoseהָיוּ֙hā·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → who moveכְּמַסִּיגֵ֖יkə·mas·sî·ḡê — To withdraw, turn back, or remove oneselfH5253 — Full Word Study → boundary stonesגְּב֑וּלgə·ḇūl — boundary, border, or limit of a regionH1366 — Full Word Study →; I will pour outאֶשְׁפּ֥וֹךְ’eš·pō·wḵ — to pour out, shed, spillH8210 — Full Word Study → My furyעֶבְרָתִֽי׃‘eḇ·rā·ṯî — Fury, rage, intense angerH5678 — Full Word Study → upon themעֲלֵיהֶ֕ם‘ă·lê·hem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → like waterכַּמַּ֖יִםkam·ma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study →. 11Ephraimאֶפְרַ֖יִם’ep̄·ra·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study → is oppressedעָשׁ֥וּק‘ā·šūq — To oppress, defraud, or exploitH6231 — Full Word Study →, crushedרְצ֣וּץrə·ṣūṣ — To crush, break, or oppress with forceH7533 — Full Word Study → in judgmentמִשְׁפָּ֑טmiš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → he is determinedהוֹאִ֔ילhō·w·’îl — to be willing, consent, or undertake willinglyH2974 — Full Word Study → to followהָלַ֖ךְhā·laḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → worthless idolsצָֽו׃ṣāw — command, commandment, preceptH6673 — Full Word Study →. 12So I amוַאֲנִ֥יwa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → like a mothכָעָ֖שׁḵā·‘āš — A moth; an insect that consumes fabricH6211 — Full Word Study → to Ephraimלְאֶפְרָ֑יִםlə·’ep̄·rā·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study →, and like decayוְכָרָקָ֖בwə·ḵā·rā·qāḇ — rottenness, decay, corruptionH7538 — Full Word Study → to the houseלְבֵ֥יתlə·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָֽה׃yə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →. 13When Ephraimאֶפְרַ֜יִם’ep̄·ra·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study → sawוַיַּ֨רְאway·yar — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → his sicknessחָלְי֗וֹḥā·lə·yōw — Sickness, disease, illnessH2483 — Full Word Study → and Judahוִֽיהוּדָה֙wî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → his woundמְזֹר֔וֹmə·zō·rōw — wound, sore, injuryH4205 — Full Word Study →, then Ephraimאֶפְרַ֙יִם֙’ep̄·ra·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study → turnedוַיֵּ֤לֶךְway·yê·leḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Assyriaאַשּׁ֔וּר’aš·šūr — Assyria, ancient empireH804 — Full Word Study → and sentוַיִּשְׁלַ֖חway·yiš·laḥ — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the greatיָרֵ֑בyā·rêḇ — King Jareb; a hostile ruler or opponentH3377 — Full Word Study → kingמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study →. But heוְה֗וּאwə·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → cannotלֹ֤אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → cureלִרְפֹּ֣אlir·pō — To heal, restore to healthH7495 — Full Word Study → you or healיִגְהֶ֥הyiḡ·heh — to heal, cure, or make wholeH1455 — Full Word Study → your woundמָזֽוֹר׃mā·zō·wr — wound, sore, injuryH4205 — Full Word Study →. 14Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Iאָנֹכִ֤י’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → am like a lionכַשַּׁ֙חַל֙ḵaš·ša·ḥal — A fierce lion; a powerful predatorH7826 — Full Word Study → to Ephraimלְאֶפְרַ֔יִםlə·’ep̄·ra·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study → and like a young lionוְכַכְּפִ֖ירwə·ḵak·kə·p̄îr — Young lion; fierce strength and dangerH3715 — Full Word Study → to the houseלְבֵ֣יתlə·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָ֑הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →. Iאֲנִ֨י’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study →, even I, will tear them to piecesאֶטְרֹף֙’eṭ·rōp̄ — To tear, rend, or devour preyH2963 — Full Word Study → and then go awayוְאֵלֵ֔ךְwə·’ê·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study →. I will carry them offאֶשָּׂ֖א’eś·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → where no one can rescue themמַצִּֽיל׃maṣ·ṣîl — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study →. 15Then I will returnאֵלֵ֤ךְ’ê·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → My placeמְקוֹמִ֔יmə·qō·w·mî — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study → untilעַ֥ד‘aḏ — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → they admit their guiltיֶאְשְׁמ֖וּye’·šə·mū — to be guilty; to commit offense or trespassH816 — Full Word Study → and seekוּבִקְשׁ֣וּū·ḇiq·šū — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study → My faceפָנָ֑יp̄ā·nāy — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →; in their afflictionבַּצַּ֥רbaṣ·ṣar — Narrow, tight, or distress; an adversary or enemyH6862 — Full Word Study → they will earnestly seek Meיְשַׁחֲרֻֽנְנִי׃yə·ša·ḥă·run·nî — To seek diligently, inquire earlyH7836 — Full Word Study →.”
Scripture Explorer
Original Language
Notes & Doctrine
Chapter Commentary
Cross-Refs
Highlight
My Note
Original Hebrew / Greek
Loading…
Translation Notes & Doctrine — This Verse
Loading…
Chapter Commentary — Hosea 5
Chapter Overview

Overview of Hosea Chapter 5

Hosea chapter 5 contains God's severe indictment against the spiritual leadership and people of Israel and Judah. The prophet addresses priests, kings, and the nation itself, declaring that judgment is imminent because they have become snares and nets—instruments of spiritual harm rather than healing. Throughout this chapter, God reveals their hidden sins of idolatry and unfaithfulness, warns of coming judgment, and demonstrates that their attempts to find salvation apart from Him will prove futile. This passage illustrates the tragic reality that when God's people turn from Him, His withdrawing of His presence brings inevitable ruin.

Verses 1–5: The Indictment Against Leaders and People

God opens with a direct summons to three groups: the priests, the house of Israel, and the house of the king. The mention of Mizpah and Tabor (v. 1) likely refers to places where idolatrous practices or political conspiracies occurred. Rather than leading people toward God, these leaders have become snares and nets—traps that ensnare the people in sin. Verse 2 indicates that the rebels are "profound" in their wickedness, yet God has continually sent rebukers (the prophets) to call them back.

In verse 3, God declares His complete knowledge of Ephraim's (the northern kingdom's) spiritual condition: their "whoredom" refers to spiritual adultery through idol worship. Verse 4 reveals the core problem—they will not return to God. The "spirit of whoredoms" has taken root in their midst, and they have rejected the knowledge of the Lord. This is not ignorance but willful rebellion. Verse 5 shows that pride itself becomes evidence against them; their arrogance testifies to their guilt. The judgment will fall on all three groups: Israel, Ephraim, and even Judah (the southern kingdom) will suffer for their iniquity.

Application: Leaders bear special responsibility before God. When those who teach and guide become instruments of spiritual harm rather than healing, judgment is particularly severe. We must examine whether our influence draws others toward Christ or away from Him.

Verses 6–9: The Withdrawal of God's Presence

Verses 6 and 7 present a heartbreaking reality: the people will go through the motions of seeking God with their flocks and herds (the sacrificial system), but God will not be found. He has withdrawn Himself from them because they have "dealt treacherously" and begotten "strange children"—both literal children raised in idolatry and spiritual offspring of false religion. The coming judgment will be swift ("a month devour them").

Verses 8–9 shift to the trumpet calls of alarm, sounding across Benjamin's territory—a signal of invasion and judgment. Ephraim will become "desolate in the day of rebuke," and what God has determined will surely come to pass. This is not empty threat but certain consequence.

Application: When we persist in turning from God, He may allow us to experience His absence. True seeking of God requires genuine repentance and wholehearted commitment, not mere ritual.

Verses 10–15: Judgment and the Call to Repentance

Verses 10–12 describe God's wrath poured out "like water" upon those who move the boundary markers—a metaphor for those who violate God's boundaries. God will become like a "moth" and "rottenness" to both kingdoms, eating them away from within through decay and disease.

When they finally recognize their sickness and wound (v. 13), they turn not to God but to the Assyrian king—a futile political alliance that cannot heal them. Verses 14–15 reveal God's fierce judgment: He will tear like a lion and withdraw to His place until they acknowledge their offense and seek His face. Yet even here is hope—affliction will drive them to seek Him early (earnestly).

Application: Often we seek worldly solutions to spiritual problems. Only genuine repentance and return to God brings true healing.

Application for Today

Hosea 5 calls us to examine our own hearts: Are we growing distant from God? Are we seeking Him through genuine devotion or empty ritual? The chapter reminds us that God knows our hearts completely, that pride blinds us to our need, and that His withdrawal of blessing is both just and designed to drive us back to Him. The promise of verse 15 offers hope—when we truly acknowledge our sin and seek His face, He will hear us.

Cross References
Loading…
Highlight This Verse
My Note