FocusIdolatry, injustice, and false security
Connection to the wholeThe oracles expose the people's and leaders' failures and announce the consequences of their refusal to return.
interpretation Hosea 5:15
KJVI will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
Read it in context
Judgment on Israel and Judah
Start reading at Hosea 5:1 (Hosea 5:1 to Hosea 5:15).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The oracles expose the people's and leaders' failures and announce the consequences of their refusal to return.
- 5:1 Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.
- 5:2 And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all.
- 5:3 I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.
- 5:4 They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.
- 5:5 And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them.
- 5:6 They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.
- 5:7 They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.
- 5:8 Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin.
- 5:9 Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.
- 5:10 The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.
- 5:11 Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.
- 5:12 Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness.
- 5:13 When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.
- 5:14 For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.
- 5:15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Hosea son of Beeri is the named prophet and traditional author of the collected message. Biblical references: Hosea 1:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Hosea 4:1–14:9): Hosea addresses Israel, including its priests and rulers, with warnings also involving Judah. The closing appeal calls Israel to return to the LORD. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Primarily the northern kingdom of Israel, often called Ephraim, with warnings also concerning Judah. Biblical references: Hosea 4:1; Hosea 5:1; Hosea 5:5. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Judgment on Israel and Judah. Read Hosea 5:1 through Hosea 5:15 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The oracles expose the people's and leaders' failures and announce the consequences of their refusal to return. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The opening names kings of Judah and Jeroboam of Israel. The oracles address that setting while also announcing future judgment and restoration. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Israel, especially the northern kingdom, is central; the poetry also recalls Egypt, wilderness, and other places in the covenant story. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Judgment on Israel and Judah (Hosea 5:1 to Hosea 5:15). Start reading at Hosea 5:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Matthew applies Hosea's words about calling the son out of Egypt to Jesus. Hosea's immediate passage recalls Israel's history, so the later application and the original reference should both be stated. See Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Respond to the call to return with faithful conduct rather than empty religious activity. Marriage imagery should be read as the book's covenant portrayal, not casually imposed on a reader's private circumstances. interpretation
Cited: Hosea 5:1, Hosea 5:15, Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15
Who wrote it, and how we know
Hosea
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the word of the LORD that came to Hosea.
Hosea 1:1
Early traditionTradition names Hosea.
Related passages
- return Hos 5:6 Exod 25:21-22 1 Kgs 8:10-13 Ps 132:14 Isa 26:21 Ezek 8:6 Ezek 10:4 Ezek 11:23
- till Hos 14:1-3 Lev 26:40-42 Deut 4:29-31 Deut 30:1-3 1 Kgs 8:47-48 2 Chr 6:36-37 2 Chr 7:14 Neh 1:8-9
- in their Judg 4:3 Judg 6:6-7 Judg 10:10-16 2 Chr 33:12-13 Job 27:8-10 Ps 50:15 Ps 78:34 Ps 83:16
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Hosea 5
Hosea's opening names the reigns associated with his ministry. Marriage and family imagery portray the LORD's relationship with Israel; distinguish enacted signs, poetic speech, and direct exhortation. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Hosea 1:1 Hosea 3:1 Hosea 14:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Hosea
Hosea's opening names the reigns associated with his ministry. Marriage and family imagery portray the LORD's relationship with Israel; distinguish enacted signs, poetic speech, and direct exhortation.
Hosea 1:1 Hosea 3:1 Hosea 14:1
Marriage and the covenant relationship
Hosea 1:1–3:5FocusUnfaithfulness, judgment, and restoration
Connection to the wholeThe family imagery establishes the book's portrayal of Israel's unfaithfulness and the LORD's announced purpose of restoration.
interpretation FocusIdolatry, injustice, and false security
Connection to the wholeThe oracles expose the people's and leaders' failures and announce the consequences of their refusal to return.
interpretation The LORD's love and the call to return
Hosea 11:1–14:9FocusMemory, judgment, and healing
Connection to the wholeThe closing movement recalls the relationship, renews the indictment, and ends with an appeal to return and a promise of healing.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.