Oséias 4
Leon Morris · Citado em PreceptAustin
Oséias 4
Morris - When people lack the knowledge of God, it is because they have rejected the knowledge already received, which could have led them to God. "Unto you that hear shall more be given" (Mark 4:24). Sir Isaac Newton - Certainly no one could say that he was not an intellectual or that he was not a man of remarkable ability. One day someone said this to him: “Sir Isaac, I do not understand. You seem to be able to believe the Bible like a little child. I have tried but I cannot. So many of its statements mean nothing to me. I cannot believe; I cannot understand.” This was the reply of Sir Isaac Newton: “Sometimes I come into my study and in my absentmindedness I attempt to light my candle when the extinguisher is over it, and I fumble about trying to light it and cannot; but when I remove the extinguisher then I am able to light the candle. I am afraid the extinguisher in your case is the love of your sins; it is deliberate unbelief that is in you. Turn to God in repentance; be prepared to let the Spirit of God reveal His truth to you, and it will be His joy to show the glory of the grace of God shining in the face of Jesus Christ.” Sir Isaac Newton was not only a great scientist but also a great preacher. Why don’t people believe? Because Satan has blinded their eyes “lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” It is a glorious gospel, but it is glorious because it reveals the glory of Christ. Apparently that is what men do not want to see.
Oséias 4
Morris - One of the great tragedies in the long war against God has been the defection of so many religious leaders from the true Word of God, leading their people into compromise and apostasy. This, sadly, is as true in modern Christendom as in ancient Israel. (Defender's Study Bible) Punish (06485)(pequddah/pāqadh/paqad) conveys the root idea of something that is attended to or set in order -- fighting men under an officer (2 Chr. 17:14), priests in an order (1 Chr. 23:11; 24:19); arrangement of Tabernacle (Nu 4:16[2x]). Office of one in charge of something (Ps 109:8) or officers (2 Ki. 11:18; Isa. 60:17). Usually pequddah means accounting when God attended to people's actions, usually to call them to account for their sins (Nu 16:29; Jer. 48:44). In Job 10:12 God's attention was for Job's good. Gilbrant - The verb pāqadh possesses the basic meaning or "to intervene" or "to muster," "to inspect." In the Qal, it can mean "to attend to," "to pay attention to," "to care for," "to punish," "to muster," "to assemble," "to record," "to enroll," "to commit," "to appoint," "to call to account" or "to avenge." In the Niphal stem, the word can be defined as "to be missed," "to be lacking," "to be appointed" or "to be called to account." The Piel and Pual define pāqadh as "to muster" and "to be mustered," respectively. The Hiphil translates the verb as "to appoint," "to entrust" or "to commit." Essentially meaning "intervention," "division," or "duty," pequddāh occurs thirty-two times in the OT. The noun is derived from pāqadh. In Middle Hebrew, the word means "custody." A cognate in Akkadian means "handing over" or "examination." Frequently, pequddāh refers to various positions of authority (Num. 3:32, 36; 2 Ki. 11:18; Isa. 60:17; Ezek. 44:11). For example, Eleazar was appointed as the chief leader over the Levites (Nu 3:32) and was to be in charge of the Tabernacle and everything in it (4:16). Elsewhere, the idea of punishment is indicated by pequddāh (Isa. 10:3; Jer. 8:12; 10:15; Hos. 9:7). On one occasion, God's kindness and providence in the life of Job is cited (Job 10:12). BDB 824, KB 3:958, NIDOTTE 3:657-63, Strong <H6486>, TWOT 2:731-32.(Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary) Pequddah in NAS - am indeed concerned(1), any reason(1), any reason he is missing(1), appoint(12), appointed(19), appoints(1), assign(3), assigned(1), attend(1), attended(1), bring punishment(1), brought(1), call their to account(1), calls me to account(1), care(3), charge(1), commit(1), committed(3), concerned(1), counted(1), damage(1), deposited(3), deprived(1), empty(3), entrusted(1), examine(1), foremen(1), gave(1), had the oversight(1), lack(1), longed(1), look(1), made him overseer(2), made them overseers(1), miss(2), missed(3), misses me at all(1), missing(5), mustered(6), mustering(1), number(13), numbered(99), officers(2), oversight(3), punish(46), punished(6), put him in charge(1), put in charge(1), put under(1), put under the charge(1), register(2), see(1), sought(1), suffer(1), summoned(1), supervisors(1), surely take care(3), take care(1), take notice(1), took a census(1), took note(1), untouched*(1), visit(7), visited(6), visiting(4). Gen. 21:1; 39:4-5; 40:4; 41:34; 50:24-25; Exod. 3:16; 4:31; 13:19; 20:5; 30:12-14; 32:34; 34:7; 38:21,25-26; Lev. 6:4; 18:25; 26:16; Num. 1:3,19,21-23,25,27,29,31,33,35,37,39,41,43ff,49-50; 2:4,6,8-9,11,13,15-16,19,21,23-24,26,28,30-33; 3:10,15-16,22,34,39-40,42-43; 4:23,27,29-30,32,34,36-38,40-42,44-46,48-49; 7:2; 14:18,29; 16:29; 26:7,18,22,25,27,34,37,41,43,47,50-51,54,57,62-64; 27:16; 31:14,48-49; Deut. 5:9; 20:9; Jos. 8:10; 10:18; Jdg. 15:1; 20:15,17; 21:9; Ruth 1:6; 1 Sam. 2:21; 11:8; 13:15; 14:17; 15:2,4; 17:18; 20:6,18,25,27; 25:7,15,21; 29:4; 2 Sam. 2:30; 3:8; 18:1; 24:2,4; 1 Ki. 11:28; 14:27; 20:15,26-27,39; 2 Ki. 3:6; 5:24; 7:17; 9:34; 10:19; 11:15; 12:11; 22:5,9; 25:22-23; 1 Chr. 21:6; 23:24; 26:32; 2 Chr. 12:10; 23:14; 25:5; 34:10,12,17; 36:23; Ezr. 1:2; Neh. 7:1; 12:44; Est. 2:3; Job 5:24; 7:18; 31:14; 34:13; 35:15; 36:23; Ps. 8:4; 17:3; 31:5; 59:5; 65:9; 80:14; 89:32; 106:4; 109:6; Prov. 19:23; Isa. 10:12,28; 13:4,11; 23:17; 24:21-22; 26:14,16,21; 27:1,3; 29:6; 34:16; 38:10; 62:6; Jer. 1:10; 3:16; 5:9,29; 6:6,15; 9:9,25; 11:22; 13:21; 14:10; 15:3,15; 21:14; 23:2,4,34; 25:12; 27:8,22; 29:10,32; 30:20; 32:5; 36:20,31; 37:21; 40:5,7,11; 41:2,10,18; 44:13,29; 46:25; 49:8,19; 50:18,31,44; 51:27,44,47,52; Lam. 4:22; Ezek. 23:21; 38:8; Hos. 1:4; 2:13; 4:9,14; 8:13; 9:9; 12:2; Amos 3:2,14; Zeph. 1:8-9,12; 2:7; 3:7; Zech. 10:3; 11:16 Allen Ross on - Paqad "Visit, Appoint, Oversee" The verb paqad, usually translated "visit" in older translations, has a wide range of meanings that call for special attention. The older translation of "visit" is somewhat misleading if that is understood in the contemporary sense of a social visit; and so a contextual study of the passages where this word occurs is in order. Etymology Hebrew Words The dictionaries list the basic meaning of the verb as "attend to, visit, muster, entrust." In addition to the verb there are several derivedforms to consider. One noun, pequddah, means "visitation," but more specifically the kind of visitation intended, such as "punishment" in Hosea 9:7 and "prison" in Jeremiah 52:11. It also has the meaning of "store" or "storage" in Isaiah 15:7, "overseeing" in 1 Chronicles 26:30, and "mustering" fighters in 2 Chronicles 17:14. This range of meanings for the noun parallels the verb. There is also a word paqid which means "overseer" (Gen. 41:34; Jdg. 9:29). The idea of "appointing" is also attested with related words. Piqqud is a "precept," that is, something appointed to be obeyed (Ps. 19:8). The noun mipqad is "appointment" in 2 Chronicles 31:13, and an "appointed place" in Ezekiel 43:21. It is also translated "muster" in 2 Samuel 24:9. Piqqadon is a "deposit" or "store" in Genesis 41:36. Cognate Languages The root paqad is well attested in the cognate languages. The dictionaries record that it occurs in Akkadian with essentially the same meanings as Hebrew. In the Ugaritic texts pqd has the meaning "to give orders." In Phoenician it means "to attend to, to provide." The Syriac cognate means "to visit." Arabic has the meanings "to lose, miss, give attention to." And Ethiopic has the word with the meanings "to muster, to visit, to desire, to need." All these meanings in the cognate languages parallel the Hebrew meanings, with a few of them developing the meanings further in later times. Usage It is necessary, given the wide range of definitions, to survey the uses and then try to explain the connections between the meanings. The following are the main categories of meaning. 1. To Attend To The word occurs in passages where the expected meaning has something to do with "attending to" something or someone. Translations may vary a bit here to suit the immediate contexts. For example, it may have the meaning "to pay attention to, to observe." In a few passages the idea is that of a close examination or observation, with the intent to do something to benefit or punish. The psalmist says, "What is man that you are mindful ('zakar) of him, or the son of man that you visit ('paqad) him?" (Ps. 8:4). Or, "I remember (paqadti) that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait" (1 Sam. 15:2). In spite of the various ways that the English versions have rendered the verb in these passages, the idea is clearly that of observing or paying attention to something with the intent to act. Some passages take the meaning a little further, having the sense of the intended action and not just the examination; here we would have the idea of "to see to something." An example is found in Zechariah 11:16, which says, "I will raise up a shepherd in the land who shall notattend to (yipqod) those who are cut off." Also connected to the idea of looking for or taking note of something is the meaning "to seek." Here the word may be used to convey the idea of looking for a remedy or for something missing. For example, Isaiah says, "Yahweh, in trouble have they sought you (peqaduka); they poured out a prayer when your chastening hand was upon them" (Isa. 26:16). Similarly we read, "If your father at all miss me (paqod yipqedeni) . . ." (1 Sam. 20:6). The first sample uses the verb for seeking that finds expression in prayer; the second sample uses it for seeking something in vain. All the samples in this first category of meaning, then, have the idea of paying attention to, looking after, looking for, or remembering with the intent of doing something. 2. To Visit The second category of meaning includes uses that describe some kind of intervention (usually by God) for blessing or for punishment. The translation "visit" may be somewhat archaic in view of modern English usage, but it still in retained in several of the English translations. Moreover, Webster's Dictionary, The American heritage Dictionary, The Oxford English Dictionary, and The American College Dictionary all include as part of the usage of "visit" the concepts found in these passages, that is, to come to comfort or aid, to assail, to plague, or to afflict with suffering. The use of "visit" for this category is therefore acceptable, although each passage may be given a more precise meaning and translation. In many passages the word describes "intervention for good" or for blessing. One type of blessing is childbirth--the speaker attributes the birth of a long-awaited child as the work of God. Genesis 21:1 reports that Yahweh "visited" Sarah so that she gave birth to Isaac. And 1 Samuel 2:21 reports the same with regard to Hannah. Another blessing that comes through a divine intervention is growth in the fields. Ruth 1:6 says, "She had heard that Yahweh had visited(paqad) his people by giving them bread." It had rained, the crops had grown and been harvested, and bread was abundant--Yahweh visited them. Likewise the psalmist says, "You visit (paqadta) the earth and water it" (Ps. 65:9). A third blessing that this word introduces is deliverance from oppression. Two passages clearly show it to be the means of escaping from bondage. Joseph said, "God will surely visit (paqod yipqod) you and will bring you out of this place" (Gen. 50:24-25). And, "after seventy years have been accomplished in Babylon, I will visit ('epqod) you and perform my good word to you in causing you to return to this place" (Jer. 29:10). The idea of deliverance can also be personal when God "visits" his servant. The psalmist says, "O visit me (poqdeni) with your salvation" (Ps. 106:4); and Jeremiah says, "O Yahweh, you knew; remember me and visit me (u-poqdeni) and revenge me of my persecutors" (Jer. 15:15). When paqad is used to describe Yahweh's intervention for good, some deliverance or benefit will be granted. It is interesting to note that the concept of "remembering" appears in some of these passages, as it did in those under the first category; "to remember" means to act upon what is remembered. A second group of passages uses the word to describe "intervention for punishment." Punishment for sin is clearly expressed in the first example from Exodus: "I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting (poqed) the iniquity of the fathers on the children" (Exod. 20:5). The verse is saying that the children often pay for the sins of the fathers if they do not turn to the Lord. Another passage that expresses punishment concerns the sin of the golden calf: "when I visit (poqdi) . . . I will visit (u-paqadti) their sin on them" (Exod. 32:34). The verb seems to have two slightly different senses here: when the Lord intervenes in their life (a neutral connotation), it will be for punishment for sin (a negative connotation). In some contexts the emphasis is more on the judgment that is the punishment. For example, Hosea says, "Now will he remember their iniquities and visit (weyipqod) their sins, and they shall return to Egypt" (Hos. 8:13). Amos says, "When I visit the transgression of Israel upon him, I will visit (u-paqadti) the altars of Bethel as well"--and the horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground (Amos 3:14). Isaiah says, "In that day Yahweh with his awesome and great strong sword will punish (yipqod 'al) Leviathan" (Isa. 27:1). The verse declares that God will destroy Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt, by destroying these "gods" that empowered them. And again Isaiah says that the Lord will water and keep a vineyard "lest any harm (pen yipqod) it" (Isa. 27:3). In all these samples the verb depicts punishment inflicted in some way by intervention. A third sub-group here has the idea of "intervention for testing." The word describes suffering at the hand of God as a form of testing, not punishment. Job asks, "What is man that you should visit him (wattipqedennu) every morning and test him (tibkhanennu) every moment?" (Job 7:17-18). 3. To Number A third main category may have developed out of the first category of observing or examining with preparation in mind--usually for war. Numbers records, "You shall number (tipqedu) them [males, twenty years old and able to fight] by their armies" (Num. 1:3). And later David said to Joab, "Go through all the tribes . . . And number (u-piqdu) the people . . . that I may know the number of them" (2 Sam. 24:2). 4. To Appoint The fourth category of meaning is close to that of "seeing to" something; but these passages emphasize the appointing of someone. For example, Genesis says, "And the captain of the guard charged (wayyipqod) Joseph with them, and he served them" (Gen. 40:4). The Law prescribed, "They shall make (u-paqedu) captains of the armies to lead the people" (Deut. 20:9). And finally, Cyrus says of Yahweh, "And he has charged me (paqad 'alay) to build a house in Jerusalem" (2 Chron. 36:23). Summarizing the usage of the verb in the qal and niphal verbal systems, we may say that the basic ideas are "to attend to" something, examine or observe it, see to it, look for it; "to intervene," used of God's visiting with benefits or punishments or sufferings; "to number" by examining or observing for the purpose of warfare; or "to appoint" or entrust with the responsibility of overseeing or attending to someone. 5. To Entrust This category is very close to the last one, except that the emphasis in these passages is more of entrusting than appointing; besides these passages use the verb in the hiphil and hophal verbal systems. The basic idea seems to be that of entrusting something or someone into another's care. The following uses show the range of this category of meaning. Genesis records that Potiphar made Joseph overseer (wayyapqidehu) over his house (Gen. 39:4). Or, the Law instructed: "You shall appoint (hapqed) the Levites over the Tabernacle of the Testimony" (Num. 1:50). Or, the prophet-historian reported that Rehoboam made shields "and committed them" (wehipqid) to the chief of the guard (1 Kings 14:27). And finally, Isaiah says, "At Michmash he will store up (yapqid) his implements" (Isa. 10:28). 6. To Muster A couple of passages use the verb in the piel-hithpael verbal systems with the idea of mustering armies. This sense is clearly related to the qal system's idea of numbering the armies for the purpose of fighting, but appears to be more intensive, more immediate, that is, rousing the troops to fight. Isaiah, for example, says, "Yahweh of armies musters (mepaqqed) the army for the battle" (Isa. 13:4). The Old Greek Translations The categories of meaning are too diverse for any one word to be used throughout an ancient version. In the Greek Old Testament, however, one of the basic terms used is episkeptomai, episkopeo, "to look at, take care of, oversee," and the noun episkope, "a visitation" (see Gen. 50:24, which in the Greek reads "In the visitation with which God shall visit . . . "). This verb is even used in passages like Numbers 1:3 for"taking account" or "numbering" the tribes). There is also the noun episkopos, "an overseer" (from which we get "bishop, overseer" in the New Testament, and then the derived "Episcopal" for the Church). But in some of the more developed meanings other Greek words were used as would be expected. Conclusion It should be clear from this brief survey of the usage of paqad that there are common motifs than run through the uses--ideas of attending to something or seeing to something--which lead to the ideas of intervening for blessing or punishing, the enlisting of people for military intervention, or the appointing or entrusting of such responsibilities to individuals. It should be clear that no one English word can be used to translate all the uses of this verb. Gunnel Andre, in his book Determining the Destiny: PQD in the Old Testament, proposes that the basic idea behind the word is "to determine the destiny." This understanding fits very well many of the passages, especially where the Lord is said to visit people for one reason or another. Hosea 4:10 They will eat, but not have enough; They will play the harlot, but not increase, Because they have stopped giving heed to the LORD KJV Hosea 4:10 For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD. NET Hosea 4:10 They will eat, but not be satisfied; they will engage in prostitution, but not increase in numbers; because they have abandoned the LORD by pursuing other gods. LXE Hosea 4:10 And they shall eat, and shall not be satisfied: they have gone a-whoring, and shall by no means prosper: because they have left off to take heed to the Lord. NLT Hosea 4:10 They will eat and still be hungry. They will play the prostitute and gain nothing from it, for they have deserted the LORD ESV Hosea 4:10 They shall eat, but not be satisfied; they shall play the whore, but not multiply, because they have forsaken the LORD to cherish CSB Hosea 4:10 They will eat but not be satisfied; they will be promiscuous but not multiply. For they have abandoned their devotion to the LORD. NIV Hosea 4:10 "They will eat but not have enough; they will engage in prostitution but not increase, because they have deserted the LORD to give themselves NAB Hosea 4:10 They shall eat but not be satisfied, they shall play the harlot but not increase, Because they have abandoned the LORD NKJ Hosea 4:10 For they shall eat, but not have enough; They shall commit harlotry, but not increase; Because they have ceased obeying the LORD. NJB Hosea 4:10 They will eat but never be satisfied, they will play the whore but not grow more prolific, since they have deserted Yahweh to give themselves up GWN Hosea 4:10 "They will eat, but they'll never be full. They will have sex with prostitutes, but they'll never have children. They have abandoned the LORD. NRS Hosea 4:10 They shall eat, but not be satisfied; they shall play the whore, but not multiply; because they have forsaken the LORD to devote themselves to YLT Hosea 4:10 And they have eaten, and are not satisfied, They have gone a-whoring, and increase not, For they have left off taking heed to Jehovah. they shall eat: Lev 26:26 Pr 13:25 Isa 65:13-16 Mic 6:14 Hag 1:6 Mal 2:1-3 They will play the harlot: Ho 4:14 9:11-17 Because they have stopped giving heed to the LORD: 2Ch 24:17 Ps 36:3 125:5 Jer 34:15 Eze 18:24 Zep 1:6 2Pe 2:20-22 Hosea 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries They will eat, but not have enough - This speaks of God's judgment of famine on the land. God was very clear about this in Leviticus "When I break your staff of bread, ten women will bake your bread in one oven, and they will bring back your bread in rationed amounts, so that you will eat and not be satisfied." (Lev 26:26+) Have enough (satisfied) (07646)(saba) means to be sated (implying sufficiency, though generally not speaking of excess), to be filled or be full and so to be satisfied or have enough (or too much of something, as when Israel had too many quail in Ex 16:8, 12). Yahweh is the ultimate Source of physical satiety (Ps. 104:28; satisfaction with His lovingkindness - Ps 90:14). Septuagint (Lxx) translates with empiplemi meaning to be satisfied or have enough (Jn 6:12). They will play the harlot, but not increase - The NET is a bit more blunt rendering it "they will engage in prostitution, but not increase in numbers." The Septuagint (Lxx) translates play the harlot with the verb porneuo (from pornos = literally the purchasable one, the one you buy, the harlot, the prostitute) which means to prostitute one's body to the lust of another, to give oneself to unlawful sexual intercourse. Here is used in the Hebraic sense as a figure of speech to describe one who worships idols rather than the living God.Israel was pictured as a woman (God's wife - Jer 31:32, Isa 54:5) who was unfaithful and like a wife who became a prostitute, figuratively committing acts of immorality against God. However as worship of idols is often associated with literal immorality in Scripture, the OT uses of porneuo also to picture both literal and figurative fornication. All the uses of porneuo in the Septuagint (Lxx) (note concentration in Hosea) Dt. 23:17; Jdg. 2:15; 1 Chr. 5:25; Ps. 73:27; Ps. 106:39; Jer. 3:6; Jer. 3:7; Jer. 3:8; Ezek. 6:9; Ezek. 16:15; Ezek. 16:34; Ezek. 23:19; Hos. 3:3; Hos. 4:10; Hos. 4:14; Hos. 4:18; Hos. 9:1; Amos 7:17 Play the harlot (02181)(zanah) is a verb meaning to fornicate, to prostitute and refers to marital infidelity or unfaithfulness. It was word used elsewhere in the OT to describe prostitution (Lev 21:7, Pr 7:10). Many of the uses of zanah are figurative describing Israel 's (Jehovah's "wife") commission of "spiritual prostitution" by having "intercourse" so to speak with other gods (cp 1 Co 6:16). Indeed, idolatry is looked upon as prostitution (Isa 50:1, 2, 3; 54:6, 7, 8; Jer 2:1, 2, 3; 3:1ff; Hos 2:1ff; Jas 4:4-note; Rev 2:4-note). In addition zanah describes Israel’s improper relationships with other nations (Isa. 23:17; Ezek. 23:30; Nah. 3:4). "The thought seems to be of having relations with these nations for the sake of political and monetary benefit, although in the case of Nineveh the added element of alluring, deceitful tactics leading on to oppressive dominance is implied." (TWOT) "A third figurative meaning is found in Isa 1:21, where the Israelites’ departure from God’s approved moral standards is called harlotry." (TWOT) Uses of zanah in Hosea - Hos. 1:2; Hos. 2:5; Hos. 3:3; Hos. 4:10; Hos. 4:12; Hos. 4:13; Hos. 4:14; Hos. 4:15; Hos. 4:18; Hos. 5:3; Hos. 9:1; Because they have stopped giving heed to the LORD - This is always the explanation for apostasy and its rotten fruit of immorality. It was true with Israel, but it is a principle that applies to our lives. God is impartial, so if we cease giving heed to Jehovah (How's your quiet time? Is it "too quiet!"), rest assured we will reap the disastrous "desserts" of our sowing (and they won't be "sweet!"). Stopped (forsaken, left off) (05800)('azab) basically means to depart from something -- to leave, to forsake (48x), to leave (26x; "left" 22x), to loose, to depart, to abandon. Things that can left behind or forsaken include persons (Ge 44:22; Nu 10:30; Ru 1:16; 2Ki4:30), people who should left behind (Ge 2:24); places (2Ki 8:6; Jer 18:14; 25:38) and objects (Ge 39:12,13; 50:8; Ex 9:21). Men can forsake God (apostatize) (Dt 28:20, 31:16, Jer 1:16), can abandon qualities of virtue (1Ki 12:8, 2Chr 10:8, 13), the way (of righteousness) (Pr 15:10). 'Azab is translated in the Septuagint (Lxx) with egkataleipo which means literally to leave down in and conveys the sense of deserting someone (in this case God) and so to desert or abandon. When one abandons God the tragedy is that one abandons all hope in this life and will be abandoned by God in the life to come! Giving heed (guarding, observing) (08104)(shamar) means to keep, watch, preserve, to guard, to be careful, to watch over, to watch carefully over, to be on one’s guard. Shamar is translated in the Septuagint (Lxx) with phulasso meaning to keep watch, to guard, to protect, to observe or follow (God's law). David Thompson rightly says "When God’s people stop listening to the Word and will of God, it is the beginning of the end for them. Nothing they do will make them happy. Nothing they do will be blessed by God. Even though they go to their worship services, all it means is judgment." (Sermon) Hosea 4:11 Harlotry, wine and new wine take away the understanding KJV Hosea 4:11 Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart. NET Hosea 4:11 Old and new wine take away the understanding of my people. LXE Hosea 4:11 The heart of my people has gladly engaged in fornication and wine and strong drink. NLT Hosea 4:11 to worship other gods. "Wine has robbed my people of their understanding. ESV Hosea 4:11 whoredom, wine, and new wine, which take away the understanding. CSB Hosea 4:11 Promiscuity, wine, and new wine take away one's understanding. NIV Hosea 4:11 to prostitution, to old wine and new, which take away the understanding NAB Hosea 4:11 to practice harlotry. Old wine and new deprive my people of understanding. NKJ Hosea 4:11 "Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart. NJB Hosea 4:11 to whoring. Old wine and new wine addle my people's wits, GWN Hosea 4:11 Prostitutes, old wine, and new wine have robbed them of their senses. NRS Hosea 4:11 whoredom. Wine and new wine take away the understanding. YLT Hosea 4:11 Whoredom, and wine, and new wine, take the heart, take: Ho 4:12 Pr 6:32 20:1 23:27-35 Ec 7:7 Isa 5:12 28:7 Lu 21:34 Ro 13:11-14 WINE, WOMEN AND SONG ARE A BAD COMBINATION I say "song" because wine is often associated with joy and singing. Wikipedia - "Wine, women, and song" is a hendiatris that endorses hedonistic lifestyles or behaviors. A more modern form of the idea is often expressed as "sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll", a phrase popularized by British singer Ian Dury in his song of the same title. Harlotry, wine and new wine take away the understanding - So now we see an allusion to intake of alcohol in excess as when one is drunk his/her understanding is blurred and blunted. Hosea 4:12-13 illustrate the lack of understanding. The Hebrew word for understanding is leb (03820) which is usually translated heart. The "heart" is man's "control center" so to speak. And so the “heart” commonly refers to the mind as the center of thinking and reason (Pr 3:3; 6:21; 7:3), but also includes the emotions (Pr 15:15, 30), the will (Pr 11:20; 14:14), and thus, the whole inner being (Pr 3:5). The heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects speech (Pr 4:24), sight (Pr 4:25), and conduct (Pr 4:26, 27). I like the NKJV rendering though not literal does give an excellent picture of the power of sin over the human heart - "Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart." David Thompson adds - Sexual immorality will ruin you. It will take away your understanding and cause you to act like you are out of your mind. Drunkenness will ruin you. It will take away your ability to think right. (Sermon) Hosea 4:12 My people consult 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 KJV Hosea 4:12 My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God. LXE Hosea 4:12 They asked counsel by means of signs, and they reported answer to them by their staves: they have gone astray in a spirit of whoredom, and gone grievously a-whoring from their God. NLT Hosea 4:12 They ask a piece of wood for advice! They think a stick can tell them the future! Longing after idols has made them foolish. They have played the prostitute, serving other gods and deserting their God. ESV Hosea 4:12 My people inquire of a piece of wood, and their walking staff gives them oracles. For a spirit of whoredom has led them astray, and they have left their God to play the whore. CSB Hosea 4:12 My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of promiscuity leads them astray; they act promiscuously in disobedience to their God. NIV Hosea 4:12 of my people. They consult a wooden idol and are answered by a stick of wood. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God. NAB Hosea 4:12 They consult their piece of wood, and their wand makes pronouncements for them, For the spirit of harlotry has led them astray; they commit harlotry, forsaking their God. NKJ Hosea 4:12 My people ask counsel from their wooden idols, And their staff informs them. For the spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray, And they have played the harlot against their God. NJB Hosea 4:12 they consult their block of wood, and their stick explains what they should do. For an urge to go whoring has led them astray and whoring they go and desert their God; GWN Hosea 4:12 My people ask their wooden idols for help. A piece of wood tells them what to do. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray. They commit adultery by giving themselves to other gods. NRS Hosea 4:12 My people consult a piece of wood, and their divining rod gives them oracles. For a spirit of whoredom has led them astray, and they have played the whore, forsaking their God. YLT Hosea 4:12 My people at its staff asketh and its rod declareth to it, For a spirit of whoredoms hath caused to err, And they go a-whoring from under their God. My people consult : Jer 2:27 10:8 Eze 21:21 Hab 2:19 For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray: Ho 5:4 Isa 44:18-20 Mic 2:11 2Th 2:9-11 departing from their God: Ho 9:1 Lev 17:7 20:5 Nu 15:39 De 31:16 2Ch 21:13 Ps 73:27 Jer 3:1-3 Eze 16:1-63 23:1-49 Hosea 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries WOODEN IMAGES AND WICKET WANDS MAKE BAD COUNSELORS! David Thompson - Don’t miss the context of all of this–when you are involved in religious things that are not true to the Word of God, you are actually straying from God and His Word and it will leave you without understanding. You will not know what truth is anymore. You will not even know where to turn to find truth. (Sermon) My people consult their wooden idol - KJV = "My people ask counsel at their stocks" The stocks were idols made of wood (compare Jeremiah 2:27). The "staff" may be a divining rod, such as many have used since ancient times to "witch" for water or metals in the earth. Perhaps more likely, it is synonymous with "stock." Jeremiah 2:27 Who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ And to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their back to Me, And not their face; But in the time of their trouble they will say, ‘Arise and save us.’ And their diviner's wand informs them - Once a person jettison's the true and living God from their mind and heart, they are wide open to all manner of supernatural sensationalistic phenomena! In this case they are now practicing sorcery for which an Israelite would have been stoned to death under the Mosaic Covenant, which they have forsaken. They are falling into the pagan practices of the occult. Unger's Dictionary - Rhabdomancy (Gk. hrabdos, a “staff,” and manteia, “divination”). Divination by rods. Cyril of Alexandria calls this an invention of the Chaldeans and describes it as consisting in this, that two rods were held upright and then allowed to fall while forms of incantation were being uttered. The oracle was inferred by the way in which the rods fell, whether forward or backward, to the right or to the left. This custom is referred to in Hos. 4:12: “And their diviner’s wand informs them,” and is evidence of the tendency of Israel to idolatry. Wikipedia on Rhadbomancy - One method of rhabdomancy was setting a number of staffs on end and observing where they fall, to divine the direction one should travel, or to find answers to certain questions.[1][2] It has also been used for divination by arrows (which have wooden shafts) - otherwise known as belomancy.[3] Less commonly it has been assigned to the I Ching, which traditionally uses a bundle of yarrow shoots.[4] Another type of rhabdomancy is dowsing in its traditional form of using a wooden stick, usually forked.[5][6] Rhabdomancy has been used in reference to a number of Biblical verses. St Jerome connected Hosea 4:12, which reads "My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them" (KJV), to Ancient Greek rhabdomantic practices.[7][8][9] Thomas Browne, in his Pseudodoxia Epidemica, notes that Ezekiel 21:21 describes the divination by arrows of Nebuchadnezzar II as rhabdomancy, though this can also be termed belomancy.[10][11] Numbers 17 has also been attributed to rhabdomancy.[12] For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray - This is not some demonic "spirit" but is a reflection of their unfaithfulness to God in their hearts. The heart is desperately sick and continually seeks to lead men and women astray. We don't need demonic spirits to lead us astray. We have the "enemy within" called the flesh who is powerful and seductive and fully able to lead us astray from God and His Word of Truth. David Thompson - Again we come to the theme of sexual immorality. It can lead people away from God faster than almost any other sin. There is no question that the Apostle Paul said that sexual immorality is a different kind of sin that will actually cause one to lose not only mental reason, but eternal rewards. This is exactly why Paul said to “flee immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:9, 16-18+). (Sermon) And they have played the harlot - In this context zanah refers to spiritual harlotry or spiritual adultery (in contrast to use in Hos 4:13), but of course does not exclude physical harlotry. God is their husband and by worhiping other so-called gods they have gone a-whoring (so to speak) spiritually. They have been unfaithful spiritually. See preceding discussion of zanah (Hos. 1:2; Hos. 2:5; Hos. 3:3; Hos. 4:10; Hos. 4:12; Hos. 4:13; Hos. 4:14; Hos. 4:15; Hos. 4:18; Hos. 5:3; Hos. 9:1) Departing from their God - This is not just "backsliding" like a believer who has a bad day, week or "season" of sinful rebellion. This is out and out apostasy or turning away from the God Israel had been set apart to worship. What was the "spirit of prostitution" in Hosea 4:12? - Answer: Hosea 4:12 makes a strong and graphic accusation against Israel: “My people inquire of a piece of wood, and their walking staff gives them oracles. For a spirit of whoredom has led them astray, and they have left their God to play the whore.” Why would God say Israel had a spirit of whoredom (“spirit of prostitution,” NIV)? This provocative label is given to idolaters. We read that the Israelites “inquire of a piece of wood.” In other words, Israelites were consulting wooden idols. They had invested financially in making these idols or in asking others to give advice from idols. These idolaters were “unfaithful” to the Lord as they paid to have a relationship with other gods. God’s people are to be faithful to Him; to chase after other gods is to commit “spiritual adultery.” The “spirit of whoredom” could be a poetic reference to Israel’s desire to practice idolatry. However, there is a real connection between idolatry and the spirit world: “They sacrificed to demons, which are not God—gods they had not known” (Deuteronomy 32:17). There are spirits, demonic in nature, which set themselves up as “gods” in this world and demand worship. The “spirit of whoredom” could be a literal entity that led Israel astray. Hosea 4:13 continues to delineate the problem: “They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is good. Therefore your daughters play the whore, and your brides commit adultery.” Israel’s spiritual prostitution included offering sacrifices to false gods. This was in violation of God’s Law that commanded sacrifice only to the Lord in the temple in Jerusalem. The worship of other gods often included actual prostitution, a sexual sin that the Israelites had been commanded to avoid. Such strong words from God through the prophet Hosea were intended to condemn idolatry and call Israel to repentance. God offered forgiveness and restoration even to those who had been so wicked. Hosea himself served as an example of God’s grace: his wife Gomer was unfaithful to him, yet he restored his relationship with her (Hosea 1:2; 3:1-5). In the same way, God was willing to restore His relationship with His people who had strayed into idolatry. Hosea 14, the final chapter of the book, reveals the Lord’s desire for His people: “Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity” (Hosea 14:1). Verse 4 likewise encourages, “I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.” Verse 7 poetically describes a restored Israel in the future: “They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine.” Despite wayward Israel’s following a “spirit of prostitution,” it is clear the Lord’s desire was to restore His people, calling them to repentance and a renewed relationship. This gracious offer to sinners is still extended to individuals today through Jesus Christ. He has offered forgiveness of sin and the opportunity for a relationship with God for everyone who trusts in Him (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9). TODAY IN THE WORD - The towering monument to George Washington dominates the skyline in our nation's capital, and intentionally so. Buildings in Washington, D.C. are restricted to a height of nine stories so that they will not overshadow the Washington Monument. This is symbolic of a truth that has existed since the day God called Abraham to leave his homeland and go to Canaan: a nation seldom rises above the character of its leaders. Not only that, but it also seems that after awhile a country's national ""persona"" begins to reflect the character, or lack thereof, of its leaders. We are seeing another illustration of this principle in the nation of Israel in the eighth century B.C. The nation had gone bad, but the problem was not just that everybody was sinning against the Lord. Unfortunately, the Israelites had help--the terrible example of their priests and kings. Chapter 4 of Hosea's prophecy seems to contain just about any sin that could be named. The mention of seeking answers by means of ""a stick of wood"" (Hos 4:12) refers to one ancient form of divination, a pagan practice strictly forbidden to God's people. The priests, who had already come under God's indictment, were guilty because they offered sacrifices to idols in numerous locations, accompanied by immoral practices. It's little wonder that the young women of Israel turned to immorality and prostitution as a way of life (Hos 4:13). Things were so bad that the prophet warned the southern kingdom of Judah to stay away from Israel so as not to duplicate Israel's sins. Specifically, Judah was warned to avoid the formerly holy sites of Gilgal and Bethel, the ""house of God,"" which had become Beth Aven, the ""house of wickedness."" All of this starkly contrasts the way God wanted to tend, feed, and lead His people. He wanted to be their Shepherd, gently leading His lambs to safety and abundant provision. Today's lesson is one that should cause us to pause and reflect, since the principle of ""like people, like priests"" (Hos 4:9) is still in effect--except today we might reword it to say, ""as a country's leaders are, so will its people be.""We could argue about individual leaders, or champion our particular cause or party. But our first duty as Christians and citizens is to offer up prayer for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Regardless of denominational or political identity, this is a command that all of God's people can obey. Hosea 4:10-19 Today in the Word Woe to him who says to wood, "Come to life!" Or to lifeless stone, "Wake up!" Can it give guidance? Habakkuk 2:19 - Opponents of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) object to its prevalent use as a sugar substitute because of possible negative health effects. Although research so far has been inconclusive, some nutritional experts believe fructose inhibits the release of leptin, a hormone that causes a feeling of satisfaction and controls the appetite. They argue that foods high in HFCS cause consumers to eat without feeling full. Sin has a similar, more powerful effect. Israel is the case study, and the evidence is clear: their appetite for sin never waned. Their problem wasn’t a lack of spiritual hunger; they were just always eating at the wrong table. Today’s passage catalogs Israel’s steady diet of misguided worship. It included adultery and prostitution, both figuratively and literally. Prostitution was a metaphor for Israel’s pattern of adding to their worship whatever false god most tantalized their desires, but it was also a literal part of pagan worship practices (v. 14). Israel’s mixed worship included inanimate objects believed to possess divine powers (v. 12). Israel burned their sacrifices in places they found appealing instead of holy places set apart for God (v. 13). They turned sacred sites into degraded centers of idolatry (v. 15). Gilgal was the site of Israel’s miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, commemorated by Joshua as a reminder to future generations of God’s power (Josh. 4:19–24). Beth Aven was an alteration of Bethel, changing the meaning of the city’s name from House of God to House of Wickedness. It was the place named by Jacob and where he was given the name Israel and told to cleanse his house of all foreign idols (Gen. 35:1–9). Now, both places had become havens of foreign worship. Prophets had delivered the Word of God to the people, but they continued to stray further from the will of God, like a stubborn cow instead of an obedient lamb (v. 16). Israel refused what was good for them, and they were about to be carried away by forces beyond their control (v. 19). The worship described by Hosea was focused more on the desires of the participants than the glory of any god. That can be a dangerous trap even for believers in the one true God. In your corporate worship, be careful to make honoring God a higher priority than personal entertainment. This is not a call to criticize your worship leader’s choice of songs or styles, rather, it is a reminder to always approach worship with an attitude of contrition and a humble heart. That is one sacrifice God will never reject (Ps. 51:17). Hosea 4:13 They offer sacrifices on the tops of the mountains And burn incense on the hills, Under oak, poplar and terebinth, Because their shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters play the harlot And your brides commit adultery. KJV Hosea 4:13 They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery. NET Hosea 4:13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops, and burn offerings on the hills; they sacrifice under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is so pleasant. As a result, your daughters have become cult prostitutes, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery! LXE Hosea 4:13 They have sacrificed on the tops of the mountains, and on the hills they have sacrificed under the oak and poplar, and under the shady tree, because the shade was good: therefore your daughters shall go a-whoring, and your daughters-in-law shall commit adultery. NLT Hosea 4:13 They offer sacrifices to idols on the mountaintops. They go up into the hills to burn incense in the pleasant shade of oaks, poplars, and terebinth trees. "That is why your daughters turn to prostitution, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery. ESV Hosea 4:13 They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is good. Therefore your daughters play the whore, and your brides commit adultery. CSB Hosea 4:13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops, and they burn offerings on the hills, and under oaks, poplars, and terebinths, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters act promiscuously and your daughters-in-law commit adultery. NIV Hosea 4:13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar and terebinth, where the shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. NAB Hosea 4:13 On the mountaintops they offer sacrifice and on the hills they burn incense, Beneath oak and poplar and terebinth, because of their pleasant shade. That is why your daughters play the harlot, and your daughters-in-law are adulteresses. NKJ Hosea 4:13 They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops, And burn incense on the hills, Under oaks, poplars, and terebinths, Because their shade is good. Therefore your daughters commit harlotry, And your brides commit adultery. NJB Hosea 4:13 they offer sacrifice on the mountain tops, they burn incense on the hills, under oak and poplar and terebinth, for pleasant is their shade. So, although your daughters play the whore and your daughters-in-law commit adultery, GWN Hosea 4:13 They offer sacrifices on mountaintops, and they burn incense on the hills under oaks, poplars, and other trees. They think that these trees provide good shade. "That is why your daughters become prostitutes, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery. NRS Hosea 4:13 They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains, and make offerings upon the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is good. Therefore your daughters play the whore, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery. YLT Hosea 4:13 On tops of the mountains they do sacrifice, And on the hills they make perfume, Under oak, and poplar, and terebinth, For good is its shade. sacrifices: Isa 1:29 57:5,7 Jer 3:6,13 Eze 6:13 16:16,25 20:28,29 therefore: 2Sa 12:10-12 Job 31:9,10 Am 7:17 Ro 1:23-28 Hosea 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FALSE WORSHIP: SACRIFICES AND SEX This passage once again shows the strong link between idolatry and immorality. THOUGHT - The preceding principle begs the question - Do you have any "idolatry" in your life? If so are you wrestling with immorality? For example, are you having "trouble" with the internet? If so, ask God to show you any idols you might have in your life and cast them out by the power of the Holy Spirit. (cf Ps 139:23-24) As long as you have "idols' you are vulnerable! They offer sacrifices on the tops of the mountains And burn incense on the hills - Their "high places" were really low places spiritually for faithless Israel sacrificed to the paga gods were on the tops of the mountains and these "worship services" were replete with indescribably abominable immoral ceremonies. Under oak, poplar and terebinth, Because their shade is pleasant - Chisholm summarizes Hos 4:11-14 - They engaged in pagan worship practices, including divination (seeking answers by a stick of wood), sacrificed to false gods, and engaged in cult prostitution (cf. Hos 5:4). The Canaanite shrines, which Moses had commanded Israel to destroy (cf. Deut. 12:2-3), were located on hills and/or under shady trees (oak, poplar, and terebinth) throughout the Northern Kingdom (cf. 2 Kings 17:10-11). Here many young women (daughters) of Israel took part in sexual rites with male cult prostitutes (cf. Deut. 23:17-18; 1 Kings 14:24). The intent of such acts was to ensure human and agricultural fecundity by making the fertility deities Baal and Asherah favorably inclined to their offerings and prayers. However, these women would not be singled out for divine punishment because the men frequented the shrines as well (Hosea 4:14). (Bible Knowledge Commentary) Therefore your daughters play the harlot - This context speaks of literal prostitution, not just spiritual prostitution. The NET renders it "your daughters have become cult prostitutes." See preceding discussion of zanah (Hos. 1:2; Hos. 2:5; Hos. 3:3; Hos. 4:10; Hos. 4:12; Hos. 4:13; Hos. 4:14; Hos. 4:15; Hos. 4:18; Hos. 5:3; Hos. 9:1) According to this statement the reason why the daughters were involved in prostitution and the reason why brides commit adultery is because all of this was promoted by the men. And your brides commit adultery - ESV also has "brides." Some versions like NET (NIV, CSB) say "your daughters-in-law commit adultery" Related Resources: What is the definition of idolatry? Is religious iconography considered idolatry? What is an icon? What are some modern forms of idolatry? Do Catholics worship idols / practice idolatry? What is the significance of high places in the Bible? Answer: High places, very simply, were places of worship on elevated pieces of ground. High places were originally dedicated to idol worship (Numbers 33:52; Leviticus 26:30), especially among the Moabites (Isaiah 16:12). These shrines often included an altar and a sacred object such as a stone pillar or wooden pole in various shapes identified with the object of worship (animals, constellations, goddesses, and fertility deities). It seems that, at times, high places were set up in a spot that had been artificially elevated; 2 Kings 16:4 seems to differentiate the “high places” from the “hills.” The Israelites, forever turning away from God, practiced Molech worship and built high places for Baal (Jeremiah 32:35). Although Solomon built the temple of God in Jerusalem, he later established idolatrous high places for his foreign wives outside of Jerusalem and worshiped with them, causing him the loss of the kingdom (1 Kings 11:11). The people were still sacrificing at the pagan high places before the temple was built, and Solomon joined them. After the Lord appeared to him in a dream at Gibeon, the king returned to Jerusalem and sacrificed offerings; however, he continued to waver between the two places of worship. Not all high places were dedicated to idol worship. They played a major role in Israelite worship, and the earliest biblical mention of a site of worship, later called a “high place,” is found in Genesis 12:6–8 where Abram built altars to the Lord at Shechem and Hebron. Abraham built an altar in the region of Moriah and was willing to sacrifice his son there (Genesis 22:1–2). This site is traditionally believed to be the same high place where the temple of Jerusalem was built. Jacob set up a stone pillar to the Lord at Bethel (Genesis 28:18–19), and Moses met God on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:1–3). Joshua set up stone pillars after crossing the Jordan (Joshua 4:20) and considered this a high place of worship because the Israelites “came up from” the Jordan onto higher ground. The high places were visited regularly by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 7:16). High places as sites of Canaanite idol worship (Judges 3:19) extended into the period of Elijah (1 Kings 18:16–40). God would name only one high place where sacrifice was authorized, and that was the temple in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 3:1). God commanded that all other high places be destroyed. King Josiah destroyed them in 2 Kings 22—23. (Gotquestions.org) Hosea 4:14 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 temple prostitutes; So the people without understanding are ruined. KJV Hosea 4:14 I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall. NET Hosea 4:14 I will not punish your daughters when they commit prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men consort with harlots, they sacrifice with temple prostitutes. It is true: "A people that lacks understanding will come to ruin!" LXE Hosea 4:14 And I will not visit upon your daughters when they shall commit fornication, nor your daughters-in-law when they shall commit adultery: for they themselves mingled themselves with harlots, and sacrificed with polluted ones, and the people that understood not entangled itself with a harlot. NLT Hosea 4:14 But why should I punish them for their prostitution and adultery? For your men are doing the same thing, sinning with whores and shrine prostitutes. O foolish people! You refuse to understand, so you will be destroyed. ESV Hosea 4:14 I will not punish your daughters when they play the whore, nor your brides when they commit adultery; for the men themselves go aside with prostitutes and sacrifice with cult prostitutes, and a people without understanding shall come to ruin. CSB Hosea 4:14 I will not punish your daughters when they act promiscuously or your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery, for the men themselves go off with prostitutes and make sacrifices with cult prostitutes. People without discernment are doomed. NIV Hosea 4:14 "I will not punish your daughters when they turn to prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery, because the men themselves consort with harlots and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes-- a people without understanding will come to ruin! NAB Hosea 4:14 Am I then to punish your daughters for their harlotry, your daughters-in-law for their adultery? You yourselves consort with harlots, and with prostitutes you offer sacrifice! So must a people without understanding come to ruin. NKJ Hosea 4:14 "I will not punish your daughters when they commit harlotry, Nor your brides when they commit adultery; For the men themselves go apart with harlots, And offer sacrifices with a ritual harlot. Therefore people who do not understand will be trampled. NJB Hosea 4:14 I shall not punish your daughters for playing the whore nor your daughters-in-law for committing adultery, when the men themselves are wandering off with whores and offering sacrifice with sacred prostitutes, for a people with no understanding is doomed. GWN Hosea 4:14 Yet, I will not punish your daughters when they become prostitutes or your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. The men go to prostitutes and offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes. These foolish people will be trampled. NRS Hosea 4:14 I will not punish your daughters when they play the whore, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery; for the men themselves go aside with whores, and sacrifice with temple prostitutes; thus a people without understanding comes to ruin. YLT Hosea 4:14 Therefore commit whoredom do your daughters, And your spouses commit adultery, I do not see after your daughters when they commit whoredom, And after your spouses when they commit adultery, For they with the harlots are separated, And with the whores they do sacrifice, A people that doth not understand kicketh. punish: Ho 4:17 Isa 1:5 Heb 12:8 For the men themselves go apart with harlots: 1Co 6:16 And offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes: 1Ki 14:23,24 15:12 2Ki 23:7 So the people without understanding are ruined: Ho 4:1,5,6 14:9 Pr 28:5 Isa 44:18-20 56:11 Da 12:10 Joh 8:43 Ro 3:11 Eph 4:18 Hosea 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries LENIENCY FOR THE LADIES I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot Or your brides when they commit adultery - They would not be singled out See preceding discussion of zanah (Hos. 1:2; Hos. 2:5; Hos. 3:3; Hos. 4:10; Hos. 4:12; Hos. 4:13; Hos. 4:14; Hos. 4:15; Hos. 4:18; Hos. 5:3; Hos. 9:1) For the men themselves go apart with harlots and offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes - This speaks of the lewd sexual practices which were even practiced under the guise of "religion" or "worship." Talk about being deceived! When you are deceived you don't even know it and you begin to think like they did in the book of Judges which is summarized "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (Jdg 21:25+). Do you see what that is saying? What they did (even overt, abominable sins) they thought was "right in their own eyes." That's deception. And the pathogenesis of the problem in Judges was similar to the situation in the Northern Kingdom -- there was no spiritual leader, no godly leadership. So the people without understanding are ruined - This is basically a repetition of the prediction in Hos 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." David Thompson - God says I won’t even punish the daughters or the brides because it is the men and the false leaders who are promoting all of this. God’s people were being ruined because the male leadership refused to lead the people into the pure, true, right ways of God. This is interesting to me because in our social world, generally speaking, men’s sins are treated more leniently than a woman’s sin. But it doesn’t work that way in God’s world. God will hold the men accountable and specifically He will hold the male leadership accountable. (Sermon) Hosea 4:15 Though you, Israel, play the harlot, Do not let Judah become guilty; Also do not go to Gilgal, Or go up to Beth-aven And take the oath: "As the LORD lives!" KJV Hosea 4:15 Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth. NET Hosea 4:15 Although you, O Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty! Do not journey to Gilgal! Do not go up to Beth Aven! Do not swear, "As surely as the LORD lives!" LXE Hosea 4:15 But thou, O Israel, be not ignorant, and go ye not, men of Juda, to Galgala; and go not up to the house of On, and swear not by the living Lord. NLT Hosea 4:15 "Though you, Israel, are a prostitute, may Judah avoid such guilt. Do not join the false worship at Gilgal or Beth-aven, even though they take oaths there in the LORD's name. ESV Hosea 4:15 Though you play the whore, O Israel, let not Judah become guilty. Enter not into Gilgal, nor go up to Beth-aven, and swear not, "As the LORD lives." CSB Hosea 4:15 Israel, if you act promiscuously, don't let Judah become guilty! Do not go to Gilgal or make a pilgrimage to Beth-aven, and do not swear an oath: As the LORD lives! NIV Hosea 4:15 "Though you commit adultery, O Israel, let not Judah become guilty. "Do not go to Gilgal; do not go up to Beth Aven. And do not swear, 'As surely as the LORD lives!' NAB Hosea 4:15 Though you play the harlot, O Israel, let not Judah become guilty! Come not to Gilgal, nor up to Beth-aven, to swear, "As the Lord lives!" NKJ Hosea 4:15 "Though you, Israel, play the harlot, Let not Judah offend. Do not come up to Gilgal, Nor go up to Beth Aven, Nor swear an oath, saying,`As the LORD lives'-- NJB Hosea 4:15 Though you, Israel, play the whore, there is no need for Judah to sin too. Do not go to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-Aven, do not swear oaths 'by Yahweh's life', GWN Hosea 4:15 "Israel, you act like a prostitute. Don't let Judah become guilty too. Don't go to Gilgal. Don't go to Beth Aven. Don't take the oath, 'As the LORD lives....' NRS Hosea 4:15 Though you play the whore, O Israel, do not let Judah become guilty. Do not enter into Gilgal, or go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear, "As the LORD lives." YLT Hosea 4:15 Though a harlot thou art, O Israel, Let not Judah become guilty, And come not ye in to Gilgal, nor go up to Beth-Aven, Nor swear ye, Jehovah liveth. play: Ho 4:12 Jer 3:6-10 Eze 23:4-8 yet: Ho 11:12 2Ki 17:18,19 Jer 3:10,11 Lu 12:47,48 Eph 5:11 Also do not go to Gilgal: Ho 9:15 12:11 Am 4:4 5:5 Or go up to Beth-aven : Ho 5:8 10:5,8 1Ki 12:28,29 And take the oath: "As the LORD lives!": Isa 48:1 Jer 5:2 Eze 20:39 Am 6:10 8:14 Zep 1:5,6 Hosea 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries WARNING TO JUDAH David Thompson sees Hosea 4:15-19 as divine "preventive maintenance" for the Southern Kingdom THEME #4 – God warns to prevent some of His people from falling into the same sin. 4:15-19 Preventative #1 - God warns Judah not to become guilty like Israel. Hos 4:15a Preventative #2 - God warns Judah not to go to Gilgal . Hos 4:15b Preventative #3 - God warns Judah not to go to Beth-aven . Hos 4:15c Gilgal and Beth-aven were two pagan cult sites. In fact, the name “Bethel” means “House of God” and the name “Beth-aven” means “House of Wickedness.” God did not want them going to these false places of evil worship and taking oaths like Israel. Preventative #4 - God warns He does not shepherd and care for a rebellious people. Hos 4:16 When God’s people pursue sin, it takes them out from the shepherding protection and provisions of God. God can shepherd and bless His people and He delights in doing this. However, God may also take away His blessings. Preventative #5 - God warns His people that they would end up ashamed . Hos 4:17-19 Because of their drunken, idolatrous immorality, God would see to it that His people would be blown away and blown into shame. (Sermon) Though you, Israel, play the harlot - Israel stands for the 10 Northern Tribes (referred to above as Ephraim). The context here refers to Israel's spiritual adultery. See preceding discussion of zanah (Hos. 1:2; Hos. 2:5; Hos. 3:3; Hos. 4:10; Hos. 4:12; Hos. 4:13; Hos. 4:14; Hos. 4:15; Hos. 4:18; Hos. 5:3; Hos. 9:1) Do not let Judah become guilty - The sense is that Judah would avoid such guilt as the Northern Kingdom had incurred. Did they? No for Jeremiah says... Then the LORD said to me in the days of Josiah the king, “Have you seen what faithless Israel did? She went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and she was a harlot there. 7 “I thought, ‘After she has done all these things she will return to Me’; but she did not return, and her treacherous sister Judah saw it. 8 “And I saw that for all the adulteries of faithless Israel, I had sent her away and given her a writ of divorce, yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear; but she went and was a harlot also. 9 “Because of the lightness of her harlotry, she polluted the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. 10 “Yet in spite of all this her treacherous sister Judah did not return to Me with all her heart, but rather in deception,” declares the LORD. (Jer 3:6-10) Also do not go to Gilgal - Gilgal was an important religious center in the north, known in Hosea’s time for its hypocritical religious practices (Amos 4:4). Hosea 9:15 All their evil is at Gilgal; Indeed, I came to hate them there! Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of My house! I will love them no more; All their princes are rebels. Hosea 12:11 Is there iniquity in Gilead? Surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, Yes, their altars are like the stone heaps Beside the furrows of the field. Amos 4:4 (Amos began prophesying to Northern Kingdom about 755 BC, two years before Hosea in 753 BC - according to Ryrie) - “Enter Bethel (chief idolatrous worship center of north) and transgress; In Gilgal multiply transgression! (= "Go to Gilgal to sin!" = bitter sarcastic call to "worship") Bring your sacrifices every morning, Your tithes every three days. Or go up to Beth-aven - They are not to go to the "House of Wickedness" the place of "pseudo-worship" of the Northern Kingdom! Woe! Judah was to stay away from Israel’s two major centers of false worship and not to worship at what were formerly holy cities, Gilgal and Beth-aven (House of Wickedness = Hosea's name for Bethel = which meant House of God). Beth-haven was a deliberate substitution for the name Bethel once sacred to God (Ge 28:10-19 = site of Jacob's dream), but initiated by Jeroboam as a place to worship calves (1 Ki 12:28-33; 13:1; Jer 48:13; Am 3:14; 7:13). Geographically Beth-aven (aka "Bethel") was in the southern part of the Northern Kingdom and just inside the border from the Southern Kingdom. It would have been easy to make a trip from Judah just across the border to Beth-aven (mentioned 3x in Hosea - Hos 4:15, Hos 5:8, Hos 10:5). Holman Bible Dictionary on Beth-aven - Hosea used the term as a description of Beth-el. Instead of a house of God, Beth-el had become a house of deception and idolatry. Thus he commanded worshipers to refuse to go there (Hosea 4:15 ), to prepare for battle against an army marching from the south against Benjamin (Hosea 5:8), and to be afraid of the golden calves in the worship place of Beth-el, not because they represented the fearful presence of God but because they brought disaster on the nation (Hosea 10:5). All the worship places were Aven, deception and idolatry (Hosea 10:8 = "Also the high places of Aven, [means nothingness, trouble, evil, emptiness, vanity] the sin of Israel, will be destroyed; Thorn and thistle will grow on their altars; Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” And to the hills, “Fall on us!”"). And take the oath "As the LORD lives!" - " do not swear oaths 'by Yahweh's life'," (NJB) Those from Judah were not to take false oaths under the guise of worship like those in the Northern Kingdom were doing. Chisholm explains "In the midst of this idolatrous, immoral worship the Israelites even had the audacity to employ the Lord's name in oaths. The Law commanded Israel to swear by the Lord's name (Deut. 6:13; 10:20). However, to make a semblance of devotion to the Lord while serving other gods was the grossest hypocrisy. "(Ibid) Morris - The town of Beth-aven (meaning "house of vanities") had long been a center of idol worship and immorality. The northern kingdom had become enamored of it, and Hosea was warning Judah not to do the same. The same had become true of Gilgal. Hosea 4:16 Since Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn heifer, Can the LORD now pasture them Like a lamb in a large field? KJV Hosea 4:16 For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place. a lamb in a broad field! LXE Hosea 4:16 For Israel was maddened like a mad heifer: now the Lord will feed them as a lamb in a wide place. NLT Hosea 4:16 Israel is stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. So should the LORD feed her like a lamb in a lush pasture? ESV Hosea 4:16 Like a stubborn heifer, Israel is stubborn; can the LORD now feed them like a lamb in a broad pasture? CSB Hosea 4:16 For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn cow. Can the LORD now shepherd them like a lamb in an open meadow? NIV Hosea 4:16 The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. How then can the LORD pasture them like lambs in a meadow? NAB Hosea 4:16 For Israel is as stubborn as a heifer; will the LORD now give them broad pastures as though they were lambs? NKJ Hosea 4:16 "For Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn calf; Now the LORD will let them forage Like a lamb in open country. NJB Hosea 4:16 for Israel is as stubborn as a stubborn heifer; so is Yahweh likely to pasture him like a lamb in a broad meadow? GWN Hosea 4:16 "The people of Israel are as stubborn as a bull. How can the LORD feed them like lambs in an open pasture? NRS Hosea 4:16 Like a stubborn heifer, Israel is stubborn; can the LORD now feed them like a lamb in a broad pasture? YLT Hosea 4:16 For as a refractory heifer hath Israel turned aside, Now doth Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a large place. Since Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn heifer : Ho 11:7 1Sa 15:11 Jer 3:6,8,11 5:6 7:24 8:5 14:7 Zec 7:11 *marg: Can the LORD now pasture them Like a lamb in a large field: Lev 26:33 Isa 7:21-25 22:18 Hosea 4 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A BACKSLIDING HEIFER Since Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn heifer, Can the LORD now pasture them Like a lamb in a large field? - This is a rhetorical question. I was raised on a farm and stubborn heifer could not be treated like a gentle lamb! The answer to the question is of course is "No!" Now the Lord could do anything, but in the context of Israel's unwavering stubbornness and unfaithfulness, God would treat her accordingly. (cf. Jer. 31:18, and regarding stubbornness see Dt 21:18-21)
Oséias 4
Morris - Ephraim, as the largest and strongest of the ten tribes in the northern kingdom of Israel, is referred to as synonymous with all Israel. By this time, all ten of these tribes were so consumed by idolatry that they were beyond hope of revival. As a result, God instructed Hosea and other prophets to quit trying (compare Genesis 6:3). Their remaining burden was to call Judah to retain her faith in the true God (Hosea 4:15) rather than following Israel. Chisholm - Ephraim, a prominent tribe in the Northern Kingdom, mentioned 36 times in the Book of Hosea, stands for Israel as a whole (cf. the parallelism in Hos 5:3, 5; also cf. Isa. 7:2, 5, 8-9, 17). (Ibid) Related Resources: Who was Ephraim in the Bible? What should we learn from the tribe of Ephraim? John