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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Hosea 4:8 They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hosea/4-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/28_Hos_04_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hosea 4:8 - God's Charges Against Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/hosea/4-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/hosea/4-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/hosea/">Hosea</a> > <a href="/hosea/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/hosea/4-7.htm" title="Hosea 4:7">◄</a> Hosea 4:8 <a href="/hosea/4-9.htm" title="Hosea 4:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/hosea/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/hosea/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/hosea/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“When the people bring their sin offerings, the priests get fed. So the priests are glad when the people sin!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/hosea/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/hosea/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/hosea/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/hosea/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They eat up the sin of My people; They set their heart on their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/hosea/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They feed on the sin of My people, And long for their wrongdoing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/hosea/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They feed on the sin of My people And direct their desire toward their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/hosea/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They feed on the sin of My people, And direct their desire toward their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/hosea/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They eat the sin of My people And lift up their soul toward their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/hosea/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They (the priests) feed on the sin offering of My people And set their heart on their wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/hosea/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They feed on the sin of my people; they have an appetite for their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/hosea/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They feed on the sin of My people; they have an appetite for their transgressions. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/hosea/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They feed on the sin of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/hosea/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You encourage others to sin, so you can stuff yourselves on their sin offerings. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/hosea/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They feed on the sin of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/hosea/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They feed on the sins of my people, and they want them to do wicked things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/hosea/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You grow rich from the sins of my people, and so you want them to sin more and more. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/hosea/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They feed on the sin of my people; they purpose in their heart to transgress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/hosea/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/hosea/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They feed on the sin offerings of my people; their appetites long for their iniquity! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/hosea/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They feed on the sin of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/hosea/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/hosea/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They feed on the sin of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/hosea/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The sin of My people they eat, "" And to their iniquity lift up their soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/hosea/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The sin of My people they do eat, And unto their iniquity lift up their soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/hosea/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They will eat up the sin of my people, and they will lift up their soul to their iniquity.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/hosea/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They shall eat the sins of my people, and shall lift up their souls to their iniquity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/hosea/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />They will devour the sins of my people, and they will lift up their souls towards their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/hosea/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They feed on the sin of my people, and are greedy for their iniquity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/hosea/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/hosea/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They devoured my people unmercifully, and they have engulfed themselves in their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/hosea/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />They consumed the sin of my people and their souls have offered their evil<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/hosea/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They feed on the sin of My people, And set their heart on their iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/hosea/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They will devour the sins of my people, and will set their hearts on their iniquities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/hosea/4-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xpPG1oLnpGk?start=544" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/hosea/4.htm">God's Charges Against Israel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: yō·ḵê·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">They feed on</a> <a href="/hebrew/2403.htm" title="2403: ḥaṭ·ṭaṯ (N-fsc) -- Or chattacth; from chata'; an offence, and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also an offender.">the sins</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·mî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">of My people</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: yiś·’ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">and set</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: nap̄·šōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">their hearts</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wə·’el- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: ‘ă·wō·nām (N-csc:: 3mp) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">iniquity.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>And it shall be like people, like priest. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/6-26.htm">Leviticus 6:26</a></span><br />The priest who offers it shall eat it; it must be eaten in a holy place, in the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/7-6.htm">Leviticus 7:6-7</a></span><br />Every male among the priests may eat of it. It must be eaten in a holy place; it is most holy. / The guilt offering is like the sin offering; the same law applies to both. It belongs to the priest who makes atonement with it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-12.htm">1 Samuel 2:12-17</a></span><br />Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD / or for the custom of the priests with the people. When any man offered a sacrifice, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged meat fork while the meat was boiling / and plunge it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or cooking pot. And the priest would claim for himself whatever the meat fork brought up. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Micah 3:11</a></span><br />Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-11.htm">Isaiah 56:11</a></span><br />Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-13.htm">Jeremiah 6:13</a></span><br />“For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-25.htm">Ezekiel 22:25-27</a></span><br />The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her. / Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. / Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/1-12.htm">Malachi 1:12-13</a></span><br />“But you profane it when you say, ‘The table of the Lord is defiled, and as for its fruit, its food is contemptible.’ / You also say: ‘Oh, what a nuisance!’ And you turn up your nose at it,” says the LORD of Hosts. “You bring offerings that are stolen, lame, or sick! Should I accept these from your hands?” asks the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-7.htm">Malachi 2:7-8</a></span><br />For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts. / But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-25.htm">Matthew 23:25</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-28.htm">Matthew 23:28</a></span><br />In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-39.htm">Luke 11:39</a></span><br />Then the Lord said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-14.htm">Luke 16:14</a></span><br />The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-12.htm">John 10:12-13</a></span><br />The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29-30</a></span><br />I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.</p><p class="hdg">eat.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/6-26.htm">Leviticus 6:26</a></b></br> The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/7-6.htm">Leviticus 7:6,7</a></b></br> Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it <i>is</i> most holy… </p><p class="hdg">set their heart on their iniquity.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/2-29.htm">1 Samuel 2:29</a></b></br> Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded <i>in my</i> habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/24-4.htm">Psalm 24:4</a></b></br> He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/25-1.htm">Psalm 25:1</a></b></br> <i>A Psalm</i> of David. Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/daniel/11-37.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-23.htm">Direct</a> <a href="/hosea/2-12.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/daniel/11-26.htm">Feed</a> <a href="/hosea/2-12.htm">Food</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-10.htm">Greedy</a> <a href="/hosea/2-14.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/daniel/9-24.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Longeth</a> <a href="/daniel/11-32.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/daniel/9-24.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-5.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/daniel/4-27.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Wrongdoing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/matthew/13-30.htm">Direct</a> <a href="/hosea/4-10.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/hosea/4-16.htm">Feed</a> <a href="/hosea/4-10.htm">Food</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-10.htm">Greedy</a> <a href="/hosea/4-11.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/hosea/5-5.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Longeth</a> <a href="/hosea/5-5.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/hosea/5-5.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/hosea/9-4.htm">Soul</a> <a href="/hosea/7-1.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/hosea/9-9.htm">Wrongdoing</a><div class="vheading2">Hosea 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/4-1.htm">God denounces judgments on Israel, for their aggravated impieties and iniquities.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">He exposes the ignorance and wickedness of the priests, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/4-13.htm">and moral dissolution of the people, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/4-14.htm">he will leave their wives and daughters to commit lewdness, without present punishment.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/4-15.htm">He warns Judah, not to imitate Israel's crimes, which are still further reproved.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hosea/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hosea/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hosea/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They feed on the sins of My people</b><br>This phrase highlights the corrupt practices of the priests in Israel during Hosea's time. The priests were supposed to guide the people in righteousness, but instead, they benefited from the people's sins. In the sacrificial system, priests received portions of the offerings, and when the people sinned more, more offerings were made, thus increasing the priests' share. This reflects a deep moral decay where spiritual leaders exploit the weaknesses of their flock for personal gain. This situation is reminiscent of the rebuke Jesus gives to the Pharisees in the New Testament, who also exploited religious practices for their own benefit (<a href="/matthew/23.htm">Matthew 23:1-36</a>).<p><b>and set their hearts on iniquity</b><br>The phrase indicates a deliberate and willful choice to pursue wrongdoing. The priests not only tolerated sin but actively desired it, as it served their interests. This reflects a heart condition that is far from God, as seen throughout the Bible where the heart is often the center of moral and spiritual life (<a href="/proverbs/4-23.htm">Proverbs 4:23</a>). The setting of one's heart on iniquity is a direct violation of the first commandment to love God with all one's heart (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a>). This behavior is contrasted with the call to holiness and repentance found throughout the prophetic books, and it foreshadows the ultimate need for a savior who can transform hearts, a role fulfilled by Jesus Christ (<a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/h/hosea.htm">Hosea</a></b><br>A prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BC, called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The Northern Kingdom, often depicted in Hosea as unfaithful to God, engaging in idolatry and moral corruption.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/priests.htm">Priests</a></b><br>Religious leaders in Israel who were responsible for guiding the people in worship and adherence to God's laws but were instead complicit in their sins.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign Lord who is grieved by the unfaithfulness of His people and the corruption of their leaders.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/sin_and_iniquity.htm">Sin and Iniquity</a></b><br>The moral and spiritual failings of the people of Israel, which the priests exploit for their gain.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_responsibility_of_leadership.htm">The Responsibility of Leadership</a></b><br>Leaders, especially spiritual ones, have a duty to guide people toward righteousness, not exploit their weaknesses.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_complicity.htm">The Danger of Complicity</a></b><br>When leaders indulge in or benefit from the sins of those they lead, they become complicit in those sins.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart's_inclination.htm">The Heart's Inclination</a></b><br>The verse highlights the importance of where we set our hearts. Leaders and believers alike must guard their hearts against inclining toward sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_grief_over_sin.htm">God's Grief Over Sin</a></b><br>God is deeply grieved by the unfaithfulness of His people and the corruption of their leaders, calling us to repentance and faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a></b><br>This passage serves as a call to examine our lives, repent of our sins, and seek to align our hearts with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hosea_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hosea 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_second_blessing.htm">What is the second blessing?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'love_the_sinner'_biblical.htm">Is 'Love the sinner, hate the sin' biblical?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_corrupt_priests.htm">Hosea 4:7-8: If priests are chosen by God, why does He allow them to become so corrupt without immediate intervention?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_sin_contrary_to_god's_will.htm">Is sin contrary to God's will?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/hosea/4-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They feed on</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹאכֵ֑לוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yō·ḵê·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sin</span><br /><span class="heb">חַטַּ֥את</span> <span class="translit">(ḥaṭ·ṭaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2403.htm">Strong's 2403: </a> </span><span class="str2">An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of My people</span><br /><span class="heb">עַמִּ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and set</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂא֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their heart</span><br /><span class="heb">נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(nap̄·šōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">iniquity.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲוֺנָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·wō·nām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hosea/4-8.htm">Hosea 4:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/hosea/4-8.htm">Hosea 4:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/hosea/4-8.htm">Hosea 4:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/hosea/4-8.htm">Hosea 4:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/hosea/4-8.htm">Hosea 4:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/hosea/4-8.htm">Hosea 4:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hosea/4-8.htm">Hosea 4:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/hosea/4-8.htm">Hosea 4:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/hosea/4-8.htm">Hosea 4:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/hosea/4-8.htm">Hosea 4:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/hosea/4-8.htm">OT Prophets: Hosea 4:8 They feed on the sin of my (Ho Hs Hos.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hosea/4-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hosea 4:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hosea 4:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hosea/4-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hosea 4:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hosea 4:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>