Hosea 4:1 kjv
Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
Hosea 4:1 nkjv
Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land.
Hosea 4:1 niv
Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites, because the LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: "There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.
Hosea 4:1 esv
Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land;
Hosea 4:1 nlt
Hear the word of the LORD, O people of Israel!
The LORD has brought charges against you, saying:
"There is no faithfulness, no kindness,
no knowledge of God in your land.
Hosea 4 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Hosea 4:1 | Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel... | Hosea 4:1 (OT) |
| Jeremiah 10:8 | They are together senseless and foolish; | Jeremiah 10:8 (OT) |
| Ezekiel 22:26 | Her priests have violated my law and defiled my holy things. | Ezekiel 22:26 (OT) |
| Micah 3:11 | Her heads give judgment for a bribe... | Micah 3:11 (OT) |
| Zechariah 7:11 | But they refused to listen and turned a deaf ear... | Zech 7:11 (OT) |
| John 10:11 | I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. | John 10:11 (NT) |
| 1 Peter 5:2 | Shepherd the flock of God that is among you... | 1 Pet 5:2 (NT) |
| Hebrews 12:5 | My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline... | Heb 12:5 (NT) |
| Revelation 2:2 | I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance... | Rev 2:2 (NT) |
Hosea 4 verses
Hosea 4 1 Meaning
This verse pronounces God's indictment against the people of Israel, specifically against the leaders, due to their spiritual adultery and rebellion. It signifies God's intention to bring judgment upon them.
Hosea 4 1 Context
Hosea 4:1 initiates a powerful prophecy against the northern kingdom of Israel. Chapter 3 concluded with a covenant confirmation, but chapter 4 immediately shifts to the consequence of their persistent disobedience. The context is a societal breakdown in Israel where faithfulness to God has been abandoned, leading to rampant injustice, moral corruption, and idolatry. The leaders are specifically held accountable.
Hosea 4 1 Word analysis
"Hear" (Hebrew: Shema): A command to listen attentively, to obey, and to understand. This is a fundamental call throughout Scripture, demanding a response to God's word.
"the word" (Hebrew: Dabar): Not just spoken utterance, but God's message, His counsel, His revelation.
"of the LORD" (Hebrew: Yahweh): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His relational aspect and His sovereign authority.
"O children of Israel" (Hebrew: Benei Yisrael): Refers to the entire nation, highlighting their inherited relationship with God.
"for there is" (Hebrew: Ki Ein): Signifies "because there is no" or "for there is not." This introduces the reason for God's coming judgment.
"no truth" (Hebrew: Emeth): Means faithfulness, reliability, steadfastness, truthfulness. The absence of these qualities in the nation.
"no kindness" (Hebrew: Hesed): God's covenant love, mercy, steadfast love. Its absence means a lack of loving-kindness and loyalty.
"and no knowledge" (Hebrew: Da'ath): Not mere intellectual understanding, but experiential knowledge, a deep relational knowing of God.
"of God" (Hebrew: Elohim): A more general term for God, emphasizing His power and creative ability.
"God" (Hebrew: Elohim) "in the land": The absence of God’s character and presence is not just a spiritual void but a visible lack within the nation's life and actions.
"Lie" (Hebrew: Sheqer): Falsehood, deceit, untruthfulness, which pervades the actions and speech of the people.
"Swearing" (Hebrew: Shaba): Making oaths or promises. When misused, it indicates a breakdown in integrity and accountability.
"Killing" (Hebrew: Harag): This points to actual bloodshed, likely due to violence and injustice.
"Stealing" (Hebrew: Ganeb): Theft, taking what does not belong to them, highlighting dishonesty and corruption.
"Committing adultery" (Hebrew: Na'af): Sexual infidelity. In the broader sense, it signifies spiritual infidelity – their idolatry.
Hosea 4 1 Bonus section
This verse uses parallelism, with the first half describing the spiritual deficit ("no truth, no kindness, no knowledge of God") and the second half listing the resultant moral decay ("lie, swear falsely, kill, steal, commit adultery"). The accusation of "adultery" is particularly significant as it is repeatedly used in Hosea to describe Israel's idolatry and turning away from Yahweh to other gods. The "land" in "in the land" refers to the Promised Land, God's specific inheritance for His people, emphasizing that this corruption desecrated God's own chosen dwelling place.
Hosea 4 1 Commentary
Hosea 4:1 is a foundational verse for understanding God's severe judgment against unfaithfulness. It declares that Israel's relational covenant with God has been broken due to pervasive moral and spiritual corruption. The absence of truth, loyalty, and intimate knowledge of God has resulted in widespread deceit, violence, and broken relationships. This verse doesn't just lament the condition of Israel; it pronounces divine judgment because of it. The specific actions listed – lying, swearing falsely, killing, stealing, adultery – are symptoms of a deeper spiritual disease: a rejection of God's covenant and His nature.