Hosea 6 3

Hosea 6:3 kjv

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

Hosea 6:3 nkjv

Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth.

Hosea 6:3 niv

Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."

Hosea 6:3 esv

Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth."

Hosea 6:3 nlt

Oh, that we might know the LORD!
Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
or the coming of rains in early spring."

Hosea 6 verses

Hosea 6 3 meaning

Hosea 6:3 expresses Israel's aspirational resolve to earnestly pursue an intimate knowledge of the Lord. It proclaims that God's manifestation and blessing are as certain and reliable as the daily dawn and as life-sustaining as the indispensable seasonal rains that nourish the earth, implying that diligent seeking will be met with divine revelation and provision.

Hosea 6 3 Context

Hosea ministered during a period of deep spiritual decline in the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim). This chapter immediately follows a call to repentance in Hosea 6:1-2, where the people verbalize a desire to "return to the Lord." Verse 3 articulates an aspirational, yet often superficial, resolution to know God, expecting His dependable salvation in return. The larger context of Hosea, however, critiques Israel's lack of steadfast love (hesed) and true knowledge of God, implying that such declarations of intent, while sounding pious, often lacked genuine transformation and consistent obedience. Historically, this era was marked by political instability and rampant idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal for fertility and rain. Hosea consistently contrasts Baal's supposed power with YHWH's sovereign control over nature and covenant blessings.

Hosea 6 3 Word analysis

• Then shall we know (וְנֵדְעָה və-nēd'āh): From the root יָדַע (yāḏaʿ), which signifies more than intellectual understanding; it implies an intimate, relational, experiential knowledge, often covenantal in nature. The Hebrew form expresses a firm resolution or collective exhortation: "Let us know," or "We will certainly know."
• if we follow on (נִרְדְּפָה nir-d'pāh): From רָדַף (rāḏa̱p̄), meaning to chase, pursue, run after. It denotes an active, persistent, vigorous, and unceasing effort, not a passive or sporadic attempt. It speaks of diligent application.
• to know (לָדַעַת lā-ḏaʿaṯ): An infinitive form of יָדַע, reinforcing the continuous, progressive nature of the desired intimate knowledge of God. The phrase "follow on to know" emphasizes the ongoing pursuit towards deeper relational insight.
• the Lord (יְהוָה YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, self-revealing character and His commitment to Israel. It highlights that the sought-after knowledge is specifically of the true, covenant-making God.
• his going forth (תֹצָאתֹו ṯōṣāʾ-ṯōw): From יָצָא (yātsaʾ), to go out or come forth. It refers to God's active manifestation, His emergence, revelation, or intervention in the world.
• is prepared (נָכֹון nāḵōn): From כּוּן (kûn), meaning to be established, firm, fixed, ready, sure. It conveys certainty, reliability, and predictability, like an established order.
• as the morning (כְשַׁחַר kə-šáḥar): As or like (כְ kə) the dawn (שַׁחַר šáḥar). Dawn is a powerful biblical symbol for new beginnings, unfailing hope, certainty, clarity, and the dispelling of darkness, arriving unfailingly each day.
• and he shall come unto us (וְיָבֹוא לָנוּ və-yā-ḇō' lā-nū): A promise of God's direct intervention and blessing upon His people. The future tense "He will come" assures divine initiative.
• as the rain (כַּגֶּשֶׁם ka-géšěm): As or like (כְ kə) rain (גֶּשֶׁם géšěm). Rain was critical for life and prosperity in ancient Israel, directly associated with divine blessing, vitality, and renewal.
• as the latter and former rain (כְּמַלְקֹושׁ יֹורֶה kə-malqôš yôreh): The yoreh (former/autumn rain) initiates the planting season, and the malqôš (latter/spring rain) ripens crops for harvest. Together, they signify comprehensive, timely, and abundant provision, ensuring agricultural fertility and spiritual fruitfulness. This pairing guarantees a full cycle of blessings, emphasizing God's complete and consistent care.

Hosea 6 3 Bonus section

• Superficiality vs. Genuineness: While the verse presents a beautiful and ideal declaration of intent, the subsequent verses in Hosea 6 (e.g., v. 4, 6) immediately highlight Israel's spiritual superficiality. Their "knowledge" and "love" were fleeting. This tension underscores that God desires a sustained, heartfelt pursuit of intimate knowledge and faithful covenant-love, not just outward expressions or transient zeal.
• Prophetic Pattern of "Three Days": This verse closely follows Hosea 6:2, which speaks of being revived "after two days; on the third day he will raise us up." This "three days" reference has often been seen as a profound foreshadowing of Christ's resurrection. If interpreted this way, verse 3 then follows the pattern, suggesting that following the "raising up" (resurrection), God's "going forth" (manifestation) is sure, like the morning, bringing life as the rain.
• Messianic Implication: Some interpret the "morning" (šáḥar) in a Messianic sense, seeing a connection to the "sun of righteousness" (Mal 4:2) or the "day-spring from on high" (Lk 1:78) which brings spiritual enlightenment and new life, connecting God's reliable "going forth" to the advent of Christ.

Hosea 6 3 Commentary

Hosea 6:3 serves as a declaration of hope and resolve. It begins with the collective intention to pursue and know the Lord, emphasizing an active, sustained, and intimate seeking. The Hebrew concept of "knowing" God signifies a deep, personal relationship rather than mere intellectual assent. The verse then assures that God's revelation and intervention are utterly reliable. His "going forth" is as sure and refreshing as the daily dawn, a metaphor for predictable, renewing light and hope. Furthermore, God's coming is likened to the vital former and latter rains, essential for the sustenance and fruitfulness of the land. This directly challenged the prevalent Baal worship, firmly attributing all life-giving provision to YHWH alone. While this declaration from the people initially appears commendable, the broader message of Hosea reveals their inconsistency; their "love is like a morning mist" (6:4). Thus, the verse implicitly underscores the necessity of a sincere, persistent, and unwavering pursuit of God that translates into genuine covenant faithfulness and transformed living, promising profound divine blessings to those who truly seek Him.