Hosea 4:8 kjv
They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.
Hosea 4:8 nkjv
They eat up the sin of My people; They set their heart on their iniquity.
Hosea 4:8 niv
They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness.
Hosea 4:8 esv
They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity.
Hosea 4:8 nlt
"When the people bring their sin offerings, the priests get fed.
So the priests are glad when the people sin!
Hosea 4 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Hosea 4:8 | They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their wickedness. | Direct Parallelism |
| Exodus 20:3-5 | "You shall have no other gods before me. ... you shall not bow down to them or worship them. | Prohibition of Idolatry |
| Deut 28:15-20 | Curses for disobedience, including lack of provision. | Consequence of Sin |
| Ps 106:36-38 | Israelites served idols and sacrificed children to demons, shedding innocent blood. | Idolatry and Sacrifice |
| Jer 2:8, 11 | Priests did not ask "Where is the Lord?" and nations exchanged God for worthless idols. | Religious Corruption |
| Ezek 22:26-28 | Priests profaned the holy and made no distinction between sacred and profane. | Corruption in Leadership |
| Mic 3:11 | Leaders teach for hire, and priests instruct for pay. | Financial Motivation for Falsehood |
| Zech 11:5 | Shepherds (leaders) who buy them (flock) and sell them (flock) without consequence. | Exploitation of the People |
| Mal 1:7 | Offering polluted food on the altar. | Defiled Worship |
| Mal 2:8-9 | Priests stumbling because of their corrupted covenant knowledge. | Failure of Priests |
| Matt 6:24 | You cannot serve God and money. | Divided Allegiance |
| 2 Cor 6:14-16 | Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. | Separation from Falsehood |
| 1 Tim 6:10 | The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. | Greed and Materialism |
| Rev 18:13 | Merchants trading in souls of men and flesh. | Spiritual Exploitation |
| Rev 17:4 | Babylon’s cup filled with abominations and filthiness. | Idolatry and Corruption |
Hosea 4 verses
Hosea 4 8 Meaning
The people of Israel are described as syncretistic, blending worship of Yahweh with pagan practices. The verse states that they gain sustenance from idolatry. This implies a spiritual and often physical reliance on these false gods, leading to their corruption and the condemnation of God.
Hosea 4 8 Context
Hosea is prophesying to the northern kingdom of Israel during a time of religious syncretism and moral decay. The nation had turned from Yahweh to worshiping pagan deities, particularly Baal. This verse highlights the parasitic nature of the corrupt religious system, where false prophets and religious leaders profited from the people's sin and adherence to idolatry. The covenant relationship between God and Israel was broken, leading to consequences.
Hosea 4 8 Word Analysis
- וְהָיוּ (və·hā·yū): "And they will be" or "And they shall become." Indicates a future consequence or a continuing state.
- נִשְׁבָּעִים (niš·bā·‘îm): "they who swear." This can refer to taking an oath, but in this context, it likely implies seeking strength or reliance, or perhaps falsely vowing allegiance to idols, as opposed to swearing by God. It suggests a dependency.
- לְמַאֲכֶלֶת (lə·ma·’ă·ḵe·leṯ): "as food" or "for sustenance." This implies that the false religious practices and their accompanying sins are what sustain these individuals or the system.
- חַטָּאת (ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯ): "sin" or "sin offering." The definite article indicates a specific sin or the essence of sin itself.
- עַמִּי (‘am·mî): "my people." A possessive pronoun showing the intimate relationship God has with Israel, emphasizing their chosen status and His disappointment.
- וְיֶהֶרְסוּ (wə·ye·her·sū): "and they will raise" or "and they will make," but in the Piel (causative) conjugation here, it can mean to cause to heap up, to raise up, or in certain contexts, to bring ruin or desolation through actions. Here, it is strongly linked to an appetite for the sin of His people.
- עַל־ (’al): "upon" or "for." Indicates the object or focus of their desire.
- אָוֶן (’ā·wen): "wickedness," "iniquity," "guilt." It denotes something that is perverted, crooked, or morally wrong.
- נַפְשָׁם (nap̄·šām): "their soul," "their appetite," "their inner self." This points to a deep, consuming desire.
Word Group Analysis
- נִשְׁבָּעִים לְמַאֲכֶלֶת חַטָּאת עַמִּי: This phrase captures the essence of corrupted religious leadership or spiritual entities. They "swear by" or "rely on" the sin of God's people as their "food" or means of sustenance. It implies a system built upon and perpetuated by the transgressions of the Israelites. They thrive because the people are sinning, and they exploit this for their own gain, not guiding them back to God.
- וְיֶהֶרְסוּ אָוֶן נַפְשָׁם: This shows the intense, unholy appetite ("soul") that drives them to seek out and "heap up" iniquity. They actively cause or contribute to the people's wicked practices because it feeds their own desires and sustains their false ministry.
Hosea 4 8 Bonus Section
The concept of "feeding on sin" is a powerful metaphor for spiritual corruption. It suggests that these individuals or systems are not truly alive or sustained by God, but rather by the parasitic consumption of brokenness and transgression. This can manifest as prosperity derived from false teachings, exploitation of the vulnerable in the name of religion, or leadership that thrives on discord and ungodliness rather than genuine spiritual growth. The Hebrew word 'aven' can also be associated with "trouble" or "misfortune," suggesting that what they feast upon ultimately brings ruin.
Hosea 4 8 Commentary
This verse paints a grim picture of spiritual leadership that has become predatory. Instead of guiding Israel toward righteousness and repentance, these leaders (implied by "they" likely refers to false prophets or priests serving idols) feast on the sin of the nation. Their existence and "sustenance" depend on the people continuing in their wickedness. They don't repent or admonish; they actively encourage or benefit from the "raising up" and "heaping" of sin and iniquity because it fills their own void or satisfies their "appetite" (nephesh). This highlights a deeply perverted system where the very spiritual guides are collaborators in the people's downfall. Their allegiance is not to Yahweh but to the sin that nourishes them.