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 6:4
KJVO Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
Read it in context
The Unrepentance of Israel and Judah
Start reading at Hosea 6:1 (Hosea 6:1 to Hosea 6:11).
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.
- 6:1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
- 6:2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
- 6:3 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.
- 6:4 O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
- 6:5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
- 6:6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
- 6:7 But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.
- 6:8 Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.
- 6:9 And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.
- 6:10 I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.
- 6:11 Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.
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? The Unrepentance of Israel and Judah. Read Hosea 6:1 through Hosea 6:11 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 The Unrepentance of Israel and Judah (Hosea 6:1 to Hosea 6:11). Start reading at Hosea 6:1. 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 6:1, Hosea 6:11, 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
- what Hos 11:8 Isa 5:3-4 Jer 3:19 Jer 5:7,9,23 Jer 9:7 Luke 13:7-9 Luke 19:41-42
- for Judg 2:18-19 Ps 78:34-37 Ps 106:12-13 Jer 3:10 Jer 34:15 Matt 13:21 2 Pet 2:20-22
- as a Hos 13:3
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 6
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.