Hosea 14 2

Hosea 14:2 kjv

Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.

Hosea 14:2 nkjv

Take words with you, And return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.

Hosea 14:2 niv

Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.

Hosea 14:2 esv

Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, "Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips.

Hosea 14:2 nlt

Bring your confessions, and return to the LORD.
Say to him,
"Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us,
so that we may offer you our praises.

Hosea 14 verses

Hosea 14 2 Meaning

This verse is a pivotal declaration of God's grace and forgiveness toward repentant Israel, offering healing and a renewal of covenant faithfulness. It highlights the voluntary nature of God's love and His promise to overcome sin.

Hosea 14 2 Context

Hosea 14:2 occurs at the end of the book, following a series of pronouncements of judgment against Israel for its infidelity to God. The preceding chapters detail Israel's spiritual prostitution, worshipping Baal and relying on foreign powers instead of the Lord. Despite this deep-seated sin, God's love is unwavering, and He promises restoration to the nation once they return to Him in genuine repentance. This verse marks the turning point from judgment to a message of hope and ultimate redemption. It sets the stage for God's complete healing and renewed blessing upon His people.

Hosea 14 2 Word Analysis

• Take (Lqh-kw): (Hebrew: לקחוּ, laqchu) Imperative, masculine plural. It signifies to "take" or "grasp." In this context, it's an instruction to the people to actively obtain or carry something with them.

• Words (Em-rim): (Hebrew: אמרים, imrim) Noun, masculine plural. It means "words" or "sayings." The specific term used implies sayings that are significant and meaningful.

• With you (Itk-hem): (Hebrew: אתכם, itm) A prepositional phrase meaning "with you" or "along with you." This emphasizes that the "words" are to be brought by them personally.

• And return (Ve-shuv-v v): (Hebrew: ושובו, ve-shuvu) A conjunctive "vav" (and) followed by the imperative, masculine plural of the verb "shuv," meaning "to return" or "to turn back." It's a command for a directional change.

• To the Lord (Et-Yeh-veh): (Hebrew: את יהוה, el-Yehveh) The preposition "el" signifies "to" or "towards," and "Yehveh" is the personal covenant name of God. This specifies the direction of their return.

• Your God (Ee-lo-khem): (Hebrew: אלהיכם, eloheichem) Possessive form of "Elohim" (God). This possessive term highlights their covenant relationship with God.

• Say (Im-ru): (Hebrew: אמרו, imru) Imperative, masculine plural of the verb "amar," meaning "to say" or "to speak." It's an instruction to verbalize something.

• To Him (Lo): (Hebrew: לו, lo) The third person masculine singular pronoun, referring back to the Lord.

• Forgive (Se-la-k v): (Hebrew: סלח, selach) Imperative, masculine plural of the verb "salah," meaning "to forgive," "to pardon," or "to bear with." It expresses the cancellation of debt or sin.

• All (Kol): (Hebrew: כל, kol) A universal quantifier, meaning "all," "every," or "entire."

• Guilt (A-von): (Hebrew: און, avon) Noun, masculine singular. It signifies "iniquity," "guilt," or "depravity." It denotes the bending or perversion of what is right.

• And accept (Ve-qi-bh-lu): (Hebrew: וקבלו, ve-qablu) A conjunctive "vav" followed by the imperative, masculine plural of the verb "qabal," meaning "to receive," "to accept," or "to take hold of."

• What is good (Tuv): (Hebrew: טוב, tov) Noun, masculine singular. It means "goodness," "benefit," or "that which is pleasing." In this context, it refers to acceptable offerings or expressions of faith.

• Then (U-ne-teh-nah): (Hebrew: ונתנה, unetenah) A conjunctive "vav" followed by a verb form. While this Hebrew word generally means "we will give," here it implies offering. Scholars debate the precise form, but the sense is about their action of offering. Some analyze it as a Qal infinitive construct used adverbially or a Niphal form.

• We will offer (Be-kor-ve-nu): (Hebrew: בקרבנו, bekorbaneynu) Preposition "be" (with/by) and "korbaneynu" (our offering). This signifies the act of presenting a sacrifice or offering.

• The fruit (Pe-ri): (Hebrew: פרי, peri) Noun, masculine singular. Literally "fruit," but idiomatically refers to the "fruit of the lips" or the outcome of confession and praise.

• Of our lips (Suh-fa-tey-nu): (Hebrew: שפתותינו, sifoteynu) Noun, feminine plural, possessive. "Sufot" means "lips," and the "-eynu" is the first-person plural possessive suffix. It refers to spoken words.

• Words-Group Analysis: The initial command "Take words with you and return to the Lord" forms a crucial unit. It signifies that repentance is not merely an internal feeling but requires articulate confession and a definite turning back. The phrase "Your God" personalizes the covenant, reminding them of their existing relationship with the One they are turning away from. The instruction to "Say to Him" emphasizes direct, verbal communication with God. The subsequent clauses, "Forgive all guilt and accept what is good, then we will offer the fruit of our lips," outline the desired outcome of their confession: divine forgiveness and acceptance, leading to a reciprocal offering of praise.

Hosea 14 2 Bonus Section

The imagery of "taking words" with them implies preparing their hearts and minds for a deliberate act of speaking to God, akin to bringing prepared sacrifices or materials for worship. The phrase "fruit of our lips" strongly resonates with the New Testament emphasis on worship as a spiritual sacrifice, an offering of praise from a transformed heart. The repetition of the imperative verb forms (take, return, say, forgive, accept, offer) underscores the active and participatory nature of restored fellowship with God. Hosea, whose ministry often focused on the covenant's breach, here points to its faithful restoration.

Hosea 14 2 Commentary

This verse encapsulates the essence of true repentance. It's not just a passive desire but an active undertaking—bringing "words" to God. These aren't just any words, but words that are meant to engage God in confession and acknowledgment of His goodness. The directive to "return to the Lord your God" emphasizes that repentance is a turning back to the covenant relationship, a re-orientation of one's life towards God. The people are instructed to vocalize their plea for forgiveness of "all guilt" and to commit to offering "what is good," signifying a dedication to living righteously. The culmination is the offering of "the fruit of our lips," a metaphor for sincere praise and confession, recognizing that the deepest worship stems from a heart transformed by God's forgiveness. It assures believers that God desires this return and will graciously accept it, ushering in a season of renewal and blessing.

• Practical Application: One can practice this by setting aside time for confession, not just a general sense of remorse, but a specific acknowledgment of sins to God. This can be done through prayer, journaling, or corporate worship. Offering "the fruit of the lips" means consciously expressing gratitude and praise for God's mercy in tangible ways.