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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 10:3 Surely now they will say, "We have no king, for we do not revere the LORD. What can a king do for us?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hosea/10-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/28_Hos_10_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hosea 10:3 - Retribution for Israel's Sin" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Surely now they will say, We have no king, for we do not revere the LORD. 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But even if we had a king, what could he do for us?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/hosea/10.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then they will say, “We have no king because we didn’t fear the LORD. But even if we had a king, what could he do for us anyway?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/hosea/10.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For now they will say: “We have no king, for we do not fear the LORD; and a king—what could he do for us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/hosea/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Surely now they will say, “We have no king, for we do not revere the LORD. What can a king do for us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/hosea/10.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/hosea/10.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For now they say, “We have no king, Because we did not fear the LORD. And as for a king, what would he do for us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/hosea/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Certainly now they will say, “We have no king, For we do not revere the LORD. As for the king, what can he do for us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/hosea/10.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Surely now they will say, &#8220We have no king, For we do not revere the LORD. As for the king, what can he do for us?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/hosea/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Surely now they will say, “We have no king, For we do not revere the LORD. As for the king, what can he do for us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/hosea/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Surely now they will say, “We have no king, For we do not fear Yahweh. As for the king, what can he do for us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/hosea/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Surely now they will say [in despair], “We have no [true] king, For we do not revere the LORD; And as for the king, what can he do for us [to rescue us]?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/hosea/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In fact, they are now saying, “We have no king! For we do not fear the LORD. What can a king do for us? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/hosea/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In fact, they are now saying,&#8221 We have no king! For we do not fear the LORD. What can a king do for us?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/hosea/10.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Surely now shall they say, We have no king; for we fear not Jehovah; and the king, what can he do for us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/hosea/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"We don't have a king," you will say. "We don't fear the LORD. And what good are kings?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/hosea/10.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Surely now shall they say, We have no king: for we fear not the LORD; and the king, what can he do for us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/hosea/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So they'll say, "We have no king because we didn't fear the LORD. Even if we had a king, he couldn't do anything for us."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/hosea/10.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />These people will soon be saying, "We have no king because we did not fear the LORD. But what could a king do for us anyway?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/hosea/10.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />From now on they will say, 'We have no king, because we did not fear the LORD— and what would a king do for us?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/hosea/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Surely now they will say, ?We have no king, for we do not revere the LORD. What can a king do for us??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/hosea/10.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Very soon they will say, "We have no king since we did not fear the LORD. But what can a king do for us anyway?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/hosea/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Surely now they will say, "We have no king; for we do not fear the LORD; and the king, what can he do for us?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/hosea/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/hosea/10.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Surely now they will say, “We have no king; for we don’t fear Yahweh; and the king, what can he do for us?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/hosea/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For now they say: We have no king, "" Because we have not feared YHWH, "" And the king—what does he do for us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/hosea/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For now they say: We have no king, Because we have not feared Jehovah, And the king -- what doth he for us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/hosea/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For now they will say, No king to us because we feared not Jehovah; and what shall the king do to us?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/hosea/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For now they shall say: We have no king: because we fear not the Lord: and what shall a king do to us? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/hosea/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For now they will say, “We have no king. For we do not fear the Lord. And what would a king do for us?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/hosea/10.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For now they will say, “We have no king! Since we do not fear the LORD, the king—what could he do for us?” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/hosea/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For now they will say: “We have no king, for we do not fear the LORD, and a king—what could he do for us?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/hosea/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For from now they shall say, We have no king because we feared not the LORD; what then can a king do for us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/hosea/10.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because from now they will say: ”We have no King from LORD JEHOVAH; we do not stand in awe of a King! What shall he do for us?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/hosea/10.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Surely now shall they say: 'We have no king; For we feared not the LORD; And the king, what can he do for us?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/hosea/10.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Because now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the Lord:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/hosea/10-3.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=1504" 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/10.htm">Retribution for Israel's Sin</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>Their hearts are devious; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: ‘at·tāh (Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">now</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: yō·mə·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">they will say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">“We have</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.">no</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">king,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">we do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3372.htm" title="3372: yā·rê·nū (V-Qal-Perf-1cp) -- To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten. A primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. To frighten.">revere</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: ha·šēm (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/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">What</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: wə·ham·me·leḵ (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">can a king</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ya·‘ă·śeh- (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">do</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">for us?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>They speak mere words; with false oaths they make covenants. So judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field.…<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="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">1 Samuel 8:7</a></span><br />And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a></span><br />In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12</a></span><br />But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-19.htm">1 Samuel 10:19</a></span><br />But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions, and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-19.htm">1 Samuel 8:19-20</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. / Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-17.htm">1 Samuel 12:17-19</a></span><br />Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call on the LORD to send thunder and rain, so that you will know and see what a great evil you have committed in the sight of the LORD by asking for a king.” / So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. / They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-13.htm">1 Samuel 12:13</a></span><br />Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you requested. Behold, the LORD has placed a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5</a></span><br />“Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-6.htm">1 Samuel 8:6</a></span><br />But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-18.htm">1 Samuel 8:18</a></span><br />When that day comes, you will beg for relief from the king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you on that day.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1-2</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to your voice in all that you have said to me, and I have set over you a king. / Now here is the king walking before you, and I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-14.htm">1 Samuel 12:14-15</a></span><br />If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well. / But if you disobey the LORD and rebel against His command, then the hand of the LORD will be against you as it was against your fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-25.htm">1 Samuel 12:25</a></span><br />But if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-20.htm">1 Samuel 12:20-21</a></span><br />“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “Even though you have committed all this evil, do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. / Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-24.htm">1 Samuel 12:24</a></span><br />Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?</p><p class="hdg">We have.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/10-7.htm">Hosea 10:7,15</a></b></br> <i>As for</i> Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/3-4.htm">Hosea 3:4</a></b></br> For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and <i>without</i> teraphim:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/11-5.htm">Hosea 11:5</a></b></br> He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hosea/5-13.htm">Able</a> <a href="/hosea/3-5.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/daniel/5-19.htm">Feared</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-7.htm">Revere</a> <a href="/hosea/9-15.htm">Surely</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/amos/5-3.htm">Able</a> <a href="/hosea/10-5.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/joel/2-11.htm">Feared</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-7.htm">Revere</a> <a href="/hosea/10-5.htm">Surely</a><div class="vheading2">Hosea 10</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/10-1.htm">Israel is reproved and threatened for their impiety and idolatry, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">and exhorted to repentance.</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/10.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/10.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Surely now they will say</b><br>This phrase indicates a moment of realization or confession among the people of Israel. It suggests a turning point where the consequences of their actions become evident. The context is the impending judgment due to their idolatry and unfaithfulness to God. This realization is prophetic, as Hosea often speaks of future events as if they are already happening, emphasizing the certainty of God's word.<p><b>We have no king</b><br>Historically, this reflects the political instability in Israel during Hosea's time. The Northern Kingdom experienced frequent changes in leadership, with several kings being assassinated or overthrown. This instability is seen as a direct result of the nation's spiritual unfaithfulness. Biblically, the absence of a king also symbolizes a lack of divine guidance, as the king was supposed to be God's representative on earth.<p><b>for we do not revere the LORD</b><br>The root cause of Israel's problems is identified here: a failure to honor and worship God. This lack of reverence is tied to their idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. Theologically, reverence for the LORD is foundational to Israel's identity and success, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a>, which commands love and devotion to God. The absence of reverence leads to moral and societal decay.<p><b>What can a king do for us?</b><br>This rhetorical question underscores the futility of relying on human leadership when the people are spiritually bankrupt. It reflects a sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with earthly powers. Biblically, it echoes the sentiment found in <a href="/psalms/146-3.htm">Psalm 146:3</a>, which warns against putting trust in princes. Theologically, it points to the need for divine intervention and foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, the true King who provides spiritual salvation and eternal hope.<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, Hosea's ministry was during a time of great moral and spiritual decline. He is known for using his own marriage as a metaphor for God's relationship with Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The Northern Kingdom, often referred to as Ephraim in Hosea, was experiencing political instability and idolatry, leading to God's judgment.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_king.htm">The King</a></b><br>Refers to the earthly kings of Israel, who were often ineffective and led the people away from God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, whom the people had forsaken, leading to their spiritual and political downfall.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/judgment.htm">Judgment</a></b><br>The context of <a href="/bsb/hosea/10.htm">Hosea 10</a> is a pronouncement of judgment against Israel for their unfaithfulness and idolatry.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_earthly_leadership_without_god.htm">The Futility of Earthly Leadership Without God</a></b><br>Earthly leaders, no matter how powerful, cannot provide true security or guidance if the people do not revere God. Our ultimate trust must be in the Lord.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_forsaking_god.htm">The Consequences of Forsaking God</a></b><br>Israel's lack of reverence for God led to their downfall. We must examine our own lives to ensure we are not placing anything above our relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_reverence_for_god.htm">The Importance of Reverence for God</a></b><br>Reverence for God is foundational to a stable and righteous life. Without it, even the best human systems and leaders will fail.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination_in_times_of_crisis.htm">Self-Examination in Times of Crisis</a></b><br>In times of trouble, we should reflect on our relationship with God rather than solely blaming external circumstances or leaders.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hosea_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hosea 10</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_assyria_conquer_israel.htm">Why did Assyria conquer Israel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_high_places_in_the_bible.htm">What are high places in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_israel_condemned_for_alliances.htm">Hosea 8:10: If alliances were necessary for survival in the ancient Near East, why is Israel condemned for making them?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_rededicating_to_christ.htm">What does rededicating your life to Christ mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hosea/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">To us</span>.--Better, <span class= "ital">as for a king, what will he do for us?</span> The prophet having witnessed a succession of Israelite kings overthrown, and anarchy as its consequence, predicts yet another time of confusion and helplessness, a full vindication of the threatenings of the prophet Samuel. (Comp. <a href="/1_samuel/8-19.htm" title="Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, No; but we will have a king over us;">1Samuel 8:19</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hosea/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the Lord.</span> In the day of their destruction Israel would be brought to see and even feel that the king appointed through their own self-will and fancied plenitude of power was unable to protect or help them, and that because they had rejected Jehovah and cast aside his fear. The point of time denoted by "now" is either when they see destruction before their eyes, or when Israel is already in captivity. Rashi explains it in the former sense: "When destruction shall come upon them, they shall say, 'We have no king,' that is, our king on whom we set our hopes when we said, 'Our king shall go out before us and light our battles,' affords us no help whatever." Kimchi explains similarly, but fixes the "now" in the time of the Captivity: "Now, when they shall be carried out of their land, they shall recognize and say, 'We have no king;' the explanation is, as it' we had no king among us, for there is no strength in him to deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, as we thought when we asked for a king who should march at our head and fight our battles. God - blessed be he! - was our King, and we needed no king, and he it was that delivered us out of the hand of our enemies when we did his will." Aben Ezra and others understand it as the expression of a wild licorice on the part of Israel, recklessly giving vent to an anarchical and atheistic spirit: "As soon as their heart was divided they had no wish to have a king over them, and had no fear of Jehovah; therefore they had no fear, and every one did what was right in his own eyes." This exposition neglects the note of time, as also the causal particle that follows. They bethought themselves that, as they had not feared Jehovah, but neglected his Law, the king which they had demanded could do them no good. "What," they asked, "can the king do for us? He has no power to deliver us, since God is angry with us, for we have sinned against him?" Such is the confession of Israel in captivity. Pusey remarks in reference to this: "In sin, all Israel had asked for a king, when the Lord was their King; in sin, Ephraim had made Jeroboam king; in sin, their subsequent kings were made, without the counsel and advice of God; and now, as the close of all, they reflect how fruitless it all was." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/hosea/10-3.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">Surely</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">now</span><br /><span class="heb">עַתָּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they will say,</span><br /><span class="heb">יֹֽאמְר֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“We have</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֑נוּ</span> <span class="translit">(lā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">no</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">king,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶ֖לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we do not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">revere</span><br /><span class="heb">יָרֵ֙אנוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(yā·rê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3372.htm">Strong's 3372: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהֹוָ֔ה‪‬‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">What</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can a king</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do</span><br /><span class="heb">יַּֽעֲשֶׂה־</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·śeh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for us?”</span><br /><span class="heb">לָּֽנוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hosea/10-3.htm">Hosea 10:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/hosea/10-3.htm">Hosea 10:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/hosea/10-3.htm">Hosea 10:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/hosea/10-3.htm">Hosea 10:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/hosea/10-3.htm">Hosea 10:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/hosea/10-3.htm">Hosea 10:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hosea/10-3.htm">Hosea 10:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/hosea/10-3.htm">Hosea 10:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/hosea/10-3.htm">Hosea 10:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/hosea/10-3.htm">Hosea 10:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/hosea/10-3.htm">OT Prophets: Hosea 10:3 Surely now they will say We have (Ho Hs Hos.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hosea/10-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hosea 10:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hosea 10:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hosea/10-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hosea 10:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hosea 10:4" /></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>