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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 4:1 Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: "There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hosea/4-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/28_Hos_04_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hosea 4:1 - God's Charges Against Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land!" /><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/4-1.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/4-1.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 1</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="/ad1.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/3-5.htm" title="Hosea 3:5">◄</a> Hosea 4:1 <a href="/hosea/4-2.htm" title="Hosea 4:2">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/hosea/4.htm">New International Version</a> Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites, because the LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: &#8220There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. <a href="/nlt/hosea/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> Hear the word of the LORD, O people of Israel! The LORD has brought charges against you, saying: “There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land. <a href="/esv/hosea/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land; <a href="/bsb/hosea/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! <a href="/kjv/hosea/4.htm">King James Bible</a> Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. <a href="/nkjv/hosea/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Hear the word of the LORD, You children of Israel, For the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land. <a href="/nasb_/hosea/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Listen to the word of the LORD, you sons of Israel, Because the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land, For there is no faithfulness, nor loyalty, Nor knowledge of God in the land. <a href="/nasb/hosea/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Listen to the word of the LORD, O sons of Israel, For the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no faithfulness or kindness Or knowledge of God in the land. <a href="/nasb77/hosea/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Listen to the word of the LORD, O sons of Israel, For the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no faithfulness or kindness Or knowledge of God in the land. <a href="/lsb/hosea/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Listen to the word of Yahweh, O sons of Israel, For Yahweh has a contention against the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no truth or lovingkindness Or knowledge of God in the land. <a href="/amp/hosea/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Hear the word of the LORD, you children of Israel, For the LORD has a [legal] case with the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no faithfulness [no steadfast love, no dependability] or loyalty or kindness Or knowledge of God [from personal experience with Him] in the land. <a href="/csb/hosea/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Hear the word of the LORD, people of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land: There is no truth, no faithful love, and no knowledge of God in the land! <a href="/hcsb/hosea/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Hear the word of the LORD, people of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land: There is no truth, no faithful love, and no knowledge of God in the land! <a href="/asv/hosea/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> Hear the word of Jehovah, ye children of Israel; for Jehovah hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land. <a href="/cev/hosea/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Israel, listen as the LORD accuses everyone in the land! No one is faithful or loyal or truly cares about God. <a href="/erv/hosea/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. <a href="/gwt/hosea/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Listen to the word of the LORD, you Israelites. The LORD has brought these charges against those who live in the land: "There is no faith, no love, and no knowledge of God in the land. <a href="/gnt/hosea/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> The LORD has an accusation to bring against the people who live in this land. Listen, Israel, to what he says: "There is no faithfulness or love in the land, and the people do not acknowledge me as God. <a href="/isv/hosea/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Hear this message from the LORD, people of Israel. Indeed, the LORD brings a charge against the people who live in the land— for there is no truth and no gracious love or knowledge of God in the land. <a href="/net/hosea/4.htm">NET Bible</a> Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites! For the LORD has a covenant lawsuit against the people of Israel. For there is neither faithfulness nor loyalty in the land, nor do they acknowledge God. <a href="/nheb/hosea/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Hear the word of the LORD, you children of Israel; for the LORD has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: "Indeed there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land. <a href="/wbt/hosea/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/hosea/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! <a href="/web/hosea/4.htm">World English Bible</a> Hear Yahweh’s word, you children of Israel, for Yahweh has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “Indeed there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/hosea/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “Hear a word of YHWH, sons of Israel, "" For a strife [is] to YHWH with inhabitants of the land, "" For there is no truth, nor kindness, "" Nor knowledge of God in the land; <a href="/ylt/hosea/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Hear a word of Jehovah, sons of Israel, For a strife is to Jehovah with inhabitants of the land, For there is no truth, nor kindness, Nor knowledge of God, in the land, <a href="/slt/hosea/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Hear the word of Jehovah, ye sons of Israel: for a contention to Jehovah with the inhabitants of the land, for no truth and no kindness and no knowledge of God in the land.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/hosea/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel, for the Lord shall enter into judgment with the inhabitants of the land: for there is no truth, and there is no mercy, and there is no knowledge of God in the land. <a href="/cpdv/hosea/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Listen to the word of the Lord, sons of Israel, for the Lord is judge of the inhabitants of the land. Yet there is no truth, and there is no mercy, and there is no knowledge of God, in the land. <a href="/nabre/hosea/4.htm">New American Bible</a> Hear the word of the LORD, Israelites, for the LORD has a dispute with the inhabitants of the land: There is no fidelity, no loyalty, no knowledge of God in the land. <a href="/nrsvce/hosea/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Hear the word of the LORD, O people of Israel; for the LORD has an indictment against the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or loyalty, and no knowledge of God in the land.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/hosea/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> HEAR the word of the LORD, O children of Israel; for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no justice or mercy or knowledge of God in the land; <a href="/hpbt/hosea/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Hear the word of LORD JEHOVAH, children of Israel, because LORD JEHOVAH has a judgment with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, neither grace, nor the knowledge of God in the land<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/hosea/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel! For the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no truth, nor mercy, Nor knowledge of God in the land. <a href="/sep/hosea/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. <a href="/parallel/hosea/4-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xpPG1oLnpGk?start=463" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/hosea/4.htm">God's Charges Against Israel</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šim·‘ū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">Hear</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: ḏə·ḇar- (N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">the word</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">O children</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/7379.htm" title="7379: rîḇ (N-ms) -- Strife, dispute. Or rib; from riyb; a contest.">has a case</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">against</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yō·wō·šə·ḇê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">of the land:</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên- (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">There is no</a> <a href="/hebrew/571.htm" title="571: ’ĕ·meṯ (N-fs) -- Firmness, faithfulness, truth. Contracted from 'aman; stability; certainty, truth, trustworthiness.">truth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ên- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">no</a> <a href="/hebrew/2617.htm" title="2617: ḥe·seḏ (N-ms) -- Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty. From chacad; kindness; by implication piety: rarely reproof, or Beauty.">loving devotion,</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ên- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">and no</a> <a href="/hebrew/1847.htm" title="1847: da·‘aṯ (N-fsc) -- Knowledge. From yada'; knowledge.">knowledge</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of God</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: bā·’ā·reṣ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">in the land!</a> 2Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/jeremiah/9-3.htm">Jeremiah 9:3-6</a> “They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. / “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity. ... <a href="/isaiah/1-2.htm">Isaiah 1:2-4</a> Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me. / The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.” / Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him. <a href="/micah/6-2.htm">Micah 6:2-3</a> Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel: / ‘My people, what have I done to you? Testify against Me how I have wearied you! <a href="/amos/3-1.htm">Amos 3:1-2</a> Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt: / “Only you have I known from all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” <a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Jeremiah 4:22</a> “For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.” <a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Isaiah 5:13</a> Therefore My people will go into exile for their lack of understanding; their dignitaries are starving and their masses are parched with thirst. <a href="/jeremiah/5-1.htm">Jeremiah 5:1-3</a> “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. Look now and take note; search her squares. If you can find a single person, anyone who acts justly, anyone who seeks the truth, then I will forgive the city. / Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ they are swearing falsely.” / O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain. You finished them off, but they refused to accept discipline. They have made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent. <a href="/isaiah/59-4.htm">Isaiah 59:4</a> No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity. <a href="/ezekiel/22-25.htm">Ezekiel 22:25-29</a> 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. ... <a href="/zechariah/7-9.htm">Zechariah 7:9-12</a> “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ / But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. ... <a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Romans 1:28-32</a> Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ... <a href="/2_timothy/3-1.htm">2 Timothy 3:1-5</a> But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ... <a href="/matthew/15-8.htm">Matthew 15:8-9</a> ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’” <a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a> You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. <a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Romans 3:10-18</a> As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. / There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. / All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Hear the word of the LORD, you children of Israel: for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.Cir.<a href="/1_kings/22-19.htm">1 Kings 22:19</a> And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.<a href="/isaiah/1-10.htm">Isaiah 1:10</a> Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.<a href="/isaiah/28-14.htm">Isaiah 28:14</a> Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.for.<a href="/hosea/12-2.htm">Hosea 12:2</a> The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.<a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm">Isaiah 1:18</a> Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.<a href="/isaiah/3-13.htm">Isaiah 3:13,14</a> The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people… no truth.<a href="/isaiah/59-13.htm">Isaiah 59:13-15</a> In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood… <a href="/jeremiah/6-13.htm">Jeremiah 6:13</a> For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.<a href="/jeremiah/7-3.htm">Jeremiah 7:3-6</a> Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place… nor knowledge.<a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Jeremiah 4:22,28</a> For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge… <a href="/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Jeremiah 5:4</a> Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God.<a href="/john/8-55.htm">John 8:55</a> Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/colossians/2-2.htm">Acknowledgment</a> <a href="/daniel/4-27.htm">Case</a> <a href="/hosea/2-14.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/daniel/6-1.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/hosea/3-5.htm">Children</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-24.htm">Controversy</a> <a href="/daniel/9-19.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/hosea/2-20.htm">Faithfulness</a> <a href="/hosea/2-20.htm">Good</a> <a href="/hosea/3-5.htm">Goodness</a> <a href="/hosea/2-22.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/hosea/2-4.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/daniel/9-7.htm">Inhabitants</a> <a href="/hosea/3-5.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/hosea/3-5.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/hosea/3-4.htm">Live</a> <a href="/hosea/2-23.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/daniel/11-2.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/hosea/1-2.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Acknowledgment</a> <a href="/micah/6-1.htm">Case</a> <a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/hosea/4-4.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Children</a> <a href="/hosea/12-2.htm">Controversy</a> <a href="/hosea/5-1.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/jonah/2-8.htm">Faithfulness</a> <a href="/hosea/4-13.htm">Good</a> <a href="/hosea/6-4.htm">Goodness</a> <a href="/hosea/5-1.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/hosea/10-5.htm">Inhabitants</a> <a href="/hosea/4-15.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/hosea/4-16.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/hosea/6-2.htm">Live</a> <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/hosea/11-12.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/hosea/12-10.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Hosea 4</div>1. <a href="/hosea/4-1.htm">God denounces judgments on Israel, for their aggravated impieties and iniquities.</a> 12. <a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">He exposes the ignorance and wickedness of the priests, </a> 13. <a href="/hosea/4-13.htm">and moral dissolution of the people, </a> 14. <a href="/hosea/4-14.htm">he will leave their wives and daughters to commit lewdness, without present punishment.</a> 15. <a href="/hosea/4-15.htm">He warns Judah, not to imitate Israel's crimes, which are still further reproved.</a> </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'; 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The "children of Israel" refers to the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel, and represents the northern kingdom during the divided monarchy. This call to hear is reminiscent of the Shema in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4</a>, which begins with "Hear, O Israel," underscoring the importance of listening to God's commands. The prophetic tradition often begins with such a call, indicating the divine authority behind the message.for the LORD has a case against the people of the land The imagery of a legal case suggests a covenant lawsuit, where God, as the suzerain, brings charges against His vassal, Israel, for breach of covenant. This reflects the covenantal relationship established at Sinai, where Israel agreed to follow God's laws. The "people of the land" indicates the inhabitants of the northern kingdom, who are being held accountable for their actions. This legal language is common in prophetic literature, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm">Isaiah 1:18</a> and <a href="/micah/6.htm">Micah 6:1-2</a>, where God calls His people to account.There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! The absence of "truth" (emet) suggests a lack of faithfulness and reliability, both in interpersonal relationships and in the people's relationship with God. "Loving devotion" (hesed) refers to covenant loyalty and kindness, a key aspect of the relationship between God and His people, as seen in <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>. The "knowledge of God" implies an intimate, experiential understanding of God's character and will, not merely intellectual assent. This lack of knowledge is a recurring theme in Hosea, as seen in <a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a>, where God laments that His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. The absence of these qualities indicates a society that has turned away from its covenant obligations, leading to moral and spiritual decay.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/h/hosea.htm">Hosea</a> A prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Hosea's ministry was marked by his call to speak against the spiritual adultery of Israel. 2. <a href="/topical/c/children_of_israel.htm">Children of Israel</a> The descendants of Jacob, representing the Northern Kingdom, who were in a covenant relationship with God but had turned away from Him. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant God of Israel, who is bringing a legal case against His people for their unfaithfulness. 4. <a href="/topical/i/inhabitants_of_the_land.htm">Inhabitants of the Land</a> The people living in Israel who are being accused of lacking truth, loving devotion, and knowledge of God. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_land.htm">The Land</a> Refers to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which was experiencing moral and spiritual decay.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_truth.htm">The Importance of Truth</a> Truth is foundational to a relationship with God. Without truth, society crumbles, and spiritual decay sets in. <a href="/topical/l/loving_devotion.htm">Loving Devotion (Hesed)</a> The Hebrew word "hesed" implies steadfast love and mercy. Our relationship with God should be marked by faithful love and commitment. <a href="/topical/k/knowledge_of_god.htm">Knowledge of God</a> Knowing God goes beyond intellectual understanding; it involves a deep, personal relationship and obedience to His will. <a href="/topical/g/god's_legal_case.htm">God's Legal Case</a> God holds His people accountable. We must examine our lives to ensure we are living in accordance with His standards. <a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a> Recognizing our shortcomings should lead us to repentance and a renewed commitment to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hosea_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hosea 4</a> <a href="/q/why_are_people_harmed_by_ignorance.htm">Why are people destroyed for lack of knowledge?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_hosea_4_1-3's_land_effects.htm">Hosea 4:1–3: Is there any archaeological or historical evidence supporting the catastrophic effects on the land described here? </a> <a href="/q/is_there_evidence_of_a_divine_lawsuit_in_micah.htm">In Micah 6:1–2, is there any historical or archaeological evidence of an actual “lawsuit” scenario or divine courtroom setting involving Israel? </a> <a href="/q/why_blame_women_in_hosea_4_14.htm">Hosea 4:14: Why does the text condemn daughters and brides for their actions when the men and priests seem equally at fault? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hosea/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) Controversy.--A judicial suit, in which Jehovah is plaintiff as well as judge (<a href="/isaiah/1-23.htm" title="Your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loves gifts, and follows after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither does the cause of the widow come to them.">Isaiah 1:23</a>; <a href="/isaiah/41-21.htm" title="Produce your cause, said the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, said the King of Jacob.">Isaiah 41:21</a>). By the "children of Israel" we are to understand the northern kingdom of the ten tribes, as distinguished from Judah.Mercy.--Better rendered love. The Hebrew word chesed expresses (1) the love of God for Israel under covenant relationship; (2) the corresponding quality in man exhibited to God or towards his fellow-men. (See Hupfeld on <a href="/psalms/4-4.htm" title="Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.">Psalm 4:4</a>; and Duhm, Theologie der Propheten, p. 100.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hosea/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - A new and distinct division of the book commences with this fourth chapter and continues till the close. What had previously been presented in figure and symbol is now plainly and literally stated. The children of Israel are summoned in the first verse of this chapter to hear the charge preferred against them and the sentence pronounced. Having convened, as it were, a public assembly and cited the persons concerned, the prophet proceeds to show cause why they are bound to give an attentive hearing. In God's controversy with the people of the land the prophet acts as his ambassador, accusing the people of great and grievous sins, and vindicating the justice of God's judgments in their punishment. The ki with which the last clause of the verse commences may be either causal or recitative, and may thus specify either the ground or subject of controversy. It is commonly understood here in the former sense. Israel is charged with want of truth, mercy, and the knowledge of God. Kimchi comments on this controversy as follows: "With the inhabitants of the land of Israel I have a controversy, for I gave them the land on the condition that they should exercise righteousness and judgment, and on this condition I pledged myself to them that my eyes would be upon them from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. But since they practice the opposite - cursing, lying, etc. - I also will act with them in a way contrary to what I assured them, and will hide my face from them." He adds, "There were some righteous among them, but they were few, and they hid themselves from the face of the multitude who were wicked." Truth and mercy are at once Divine attributes and human virtues; it is in the latter sense, of course, that they are here employed. Truth includes works as well as words, doing as well as saying; it implies uprightness in speech and behavior - thorough integrity of character and conduct, Mercy goes beyond and supplements this. We sometimes say of such a one that he is an honest but a hard man. Mercy combined with truth, on the contrary, makes a man kind as well as honest, benevolent as well as upright. In a somewhat similar sense the apostle conjoins goodness and righteousness when he says, "Scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die." The knowledge of God is the real root of these two virtues of truth and mercy. If we know God as he is in himself and as he stands in his relations to us, we shall conform our conduct to his character and our actions to his will. If we know God to be a God of truth, who delighteth in truth in the inward parts, we shall cultivate truth in our hearts, express it with our lips, and practice it in our lives. If we know God as a God of mercy, who has shown such boundless mercy to us in pardoning our multiplied and aggravated offences, we shall imitate that mercy in our relations to our fellow-man; nor shall we enact the part of the merciless man in the parable, who owed his lord ten thousand talents, and who, having nothing to pay, was freely forgiven the debt; but finding his fellow-servant, who owed him only an hundred pence, laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, "Pay me that thou owest," and, deaf to that fellow-servant's supplications, east him into prison till he should pay the debt. The intimate connection of the knowledge of God with the virtues in question is confirmed by the Prophet Jeremiah, "Did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him? he judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me, saith the Lord?" <a href="/commentaries/hosea/4-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Hear שִׁמְע֥וּ (šim·‘ū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently the word דְבַר־ (ḏə·ḇar-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause of the LORD, יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel O children בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Israel, יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc for כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction the LORD לַֽיהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel has a case רִ֤יב (rîḇ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7379.htm">Strong's 7379: </a> Strife, dispute against עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> With, equally with the inhabitants יוֹשְׁבֵ֣י (yō·wō·šə·ḇê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry of the land: הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land There is no אֵין־ (’ên-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle truth, אֱמֶ֧ת (’ĕ·meṯ) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_571.htm">Strong's 571: </a> Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness no וְֽאֵין־ (wə·’ên-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle loving devotion, חֶ֛סֶד (ḥe·seḏ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2617.htm">Strong's 2617: </a> Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty and no וְאֵֽין־ (wə·’ên-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> A non-entity, a negative particle knowledge דַּ֥עַת (da·‘aṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1847.htm">Strong's 1847: </a> Knowledge of God אֱלֹהִ֖ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative in the land! בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ (bā·’ā·reṣ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/hosea/4-1.htm">OT Prophets: Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of Yahweh you children (Ho Hs Hos.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hosea/3-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hosea 3:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hosea 3:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hosea/4-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hosea 4:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hosea 4:2" /></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>