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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 4:4 But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hosea/4-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/28_Hos_04_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hosea 4:4 - God's Charges Against Israel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest." /><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/4-4.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/4-4.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 4</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="/ad4.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/4-3.htm" title="Hosea 4:3">◄</a> Hosea 4:4 <a href="/hosea/4-5.htm" title="Hosea 4:5">►</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 />&#8220But let no one bring a charge, let no one accuse another, for your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/hosea/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Don’t point your finger at someone else and try to pass the blame! My complaint, you priests, is with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/hosea/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet let no one contend, and let none accuse, for with you is my contention, O priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/hosea/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/hosea/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people <i>are</i> as they that strive with the priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/hosea/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Now let no man contend, or rebuke another; For your people <i>are</i> like those who contend with the priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/hosea/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Yet let no one find fault, and let no one rebuke; For your people are like those who contend with a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/hosea/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Yet let no one find fault, and let none offer reproof; For your people are like those who contend with the priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/hosea/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Yet let no one find fault, and let none offer reproof; For your people are like those who contend with the priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/hosea/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Yet let no man contend, and let no man offer reproof; Indeed, your people are like those who contend with the priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/hosea/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Yet let no one find fault, nor let any rebuke [others]; For your people are like those who contend with the priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/hosea/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But let no one dispute; let no one argue, for my case is against you priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/hosea/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But let no one dispute; let no one argue, for My case is against you priests. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/hosea/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet let no man strive, neither let any man reprove; for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/hosea/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't accuse just anyone! Not everyone is at fault. My case is against you, the priests. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/hosea/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Yet let no man strive, neither let any man reprove; for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/hosea/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"No one should accuse other people or bring charges against them. My case is against you priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/hosea/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD says, "Let no one accuse the people or reprimand them--my complaint is against you priests. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/hosea/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Let no one fight or bring charges against another, for my dispute is with you, priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/hosea/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/hosea/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do not let anyone accuse or contend against anyone else: for my case is against you priests! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/hosea/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Yet let no man bring a charge, neither let any man accuse; For your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/hosea/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Yet let no man contend, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that contend with the priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/hosea/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Yet let no man bring a charge, neither let any man accuse; for your people are like those who bring charges against a priest. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/hosea/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Only, let no one strive, nor reprove a man, "" And your people [are] as those striving with a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/hosea/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Only, let no one strive, nor reprove a man, And thy people are as those striving with a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/hosea/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />But a man shall not contend, and he shall not admonish a man: and my people as contending with the priest.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/hosea/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But yet let not any man judge: and let not a man be rebuked: for thy people are as they that contradict the priest. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/hosea/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />So, truly, let each and every one not judge, and let no man be accused, for your people are just like those who speak against the priesthood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/hosea/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But let no one accuse, let no one rebuke; with you is my dispute, priest! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/hosea/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet let no one contend, and let none accuse, for with you is my contention, O priest.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/hosea/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Because none judges nor reproves another, for your people is engaged in controversy like a priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/hosea/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because a man does not judge, neither does he rebuke, and your people dispute like a Priest<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/hosea/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Yet let no man strive, neither let any man reprove; For thy people are as they that strive with the priest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/hosea/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />that neither any one may plead, nor any one reprove <i>another</i>; but my people are as a priest spoken against.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/hosea/4-4.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=499" 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">3</span>Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">But</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">let no</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">man</a> <a href="/hebrew/7378.htm" title="7378: yā·rêḇ (V-Qal-Imperf.Jus-3ms) -- Or ruwb; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; to defend.">contend;</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: wə·’al- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">let no</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">man</a> <a href="/hebrew/3198.htm" title="3198: yō·w·ḵaḥ (V-Hifil-Imperf.Jus-3ms) -- To decide, adjudge, prove. A primitive root; to be right; reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict.">offer reproof;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: wə·‘am·mə·ḵā (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">for your people are like those</a> <a href="/hebrew/7378.htm" title="7378: kim·rî·ḇê (Prep-k:: V-Hifil-Prtcpl-mpc) -- Or ruwb; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; to defend.">who contend with</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: ḵō·hên (N-ms) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">a priest.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>You will stumble by day, and the prophet will stumble with you by night; so I will destroy your mother—…<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="/isaiah/29-21.htm">Isaiah 29:21</a></span><br />those who indict a man with a word, who ensnare the mediator at the gate, and who with false charges deprive the innocent of justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-10.htm">Amos 5:10</a></span><br />There are those who hate the one who reproves in the gate and despise him who speaks with integrity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/2-6.htm">Micah 2:6</a></span><br />“Do not preach,” they preach. “Do not preach these things; disgrace will not overtake us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-31.htm">Jeremiah 5:31</a></span><br />The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/3-26.htm">Ezekiel 3:26-27</a></span><br />I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, and you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, though they are a rebellious house. / But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you are to tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ Whoever listens, let him listen; and whoever refuses, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.<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="/2_chronicles/24-20.htm">2 Chronicles 24:20-21</a></span><br />Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.’” / But they conspired against Zechariah, and by order of the king, they stoned him in the courtyard of the house of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-25.htm">1 Samuel 2:25</a></span><br />If a man sins against another man, God can intercede for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to their father, since the LORD intended to put them to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-12.htm">Deuteronomy 17:12</a></span><br />But the man who acts presumptuously, refusing to listen either to the priest who stands there to serve the LORD your God, or to the judge, must be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/9-7.htm">Proverbs 9:7-8</a></span><br />He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself. / Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-29.htm">Matthew 23:29-36</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. / And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ / So you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-47.htm">Luke 11:47-51</a></span><br />Woe to you! For you build tombs for the prophets, but it was your fathers who killed them. / So you are witnesses consenting to the deeds of your fathers: They killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. / Because of this, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and others they will persecute.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-7.htm">John 7:7</a></span><br />The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me, because I testify that its works are evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51-52</a></span><br />You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. / Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-1.htm">Romans 2:1-3</a></span><br />You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. / And we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. / So when you, O man, pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for your people are as they that strive with the priest.</p><p class="hdg">let.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/4-17.htm">Hosea 4:17</a></b></br> Ephraim <i>is</i> joined to idols: let him alone.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/5-13.htm">Amos 5:13</a></b></br> Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it <i>is</i> an evil time.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/6-10.htm">Amos 6:10</a></b></br> And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that <i>is</i> by the sides of the house, <i>Is there</i> yet <i>any</i> with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">as.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/17-12.htm">Deuteronomy 17:12</a></b></br> And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/18-18.htm">Jeremiah 18:18</a></b></br> Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/30-10.htm">Accuse</a> <a href="/hosea/4-1.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/daniel/6-5.htm">Charges</a> <a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Contend</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-10.htm">Contention</a> <a href="/daniel/6-4.htm">Fault</a> <a href="/hosea/2-7.htm">Find</a> <a href="/daniel/9-13.htm">Law</a> <a href="/hosea/2-13.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/ezekiel/46-2.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/ezekiel/5-15.htm">Protests</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-15.htm">Reproof</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-26.htm">Reprove</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-9.htm">Striving</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/zechariah/3-1.htm">Accuse</a> <a href="/hosea/12-2.htm">Charge</a> <a href="/matthew/27-12.htm">Charges</a> <a href="/amos/7-4.htm">Contend</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-3.htm">Contention</a> <a href="/jonah/1-12.htm">Fault</a> <a href="/hosea/5-6.htm">Find</a> <a href="/hosea/8-12.htm">Law</a> <a href="/hosea/4-13.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Priest</a> <a href="/luke/5-30.htm">Protests</a> <a href="/hosea/5-9.htm">Reproof</a> <a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">Reprove</a> <a href="/hosea/6-3.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/luke/13-24.htm">Striving</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>But let no man contend;</b><br>This phrase suggests a prohibition against arguing or disputing. In the context of Hosea, it reflects the futility of arguing against God's judgment. The Israelites were known for their stubbornness and resistance to correction, as seen throughout the prophetic books. This echoes the wisdom literature, such as <a href="/proverbs/9-7.htm">Proverbs 9:7-8</a>, which advises against correcting a scoffer, as it leads to more contention.<p><b>let no man offer reproof;</b><br>Reproof here refers to correction or criticism. The Israelites had reached a point where reproof was ineffective due to their hardened hearts. This mirrors the situation in <a href="/isaiah/1-5.htm">Isaiah 1:5</a>, where God questions why He should continue to discipline a rebellious people. The cultural context of ancient Israel shows a society that had become resistant to prophetic warnings, often persecuting the prophets themselves.<p><b>for your people are like those who contend with a priest.</b><br>Contending with a priest was a serious offense, as priests were God's appointed mediators under the Mosaic Law. This phrase indicates a deep level of disrespect and rebellion against divine authority. In <a href="/deuteronomy/17-12.htm">Deuteronomy 17:12</a>, the law prescribes severe consequences for those who act presumptuously against a priest. This reflects the broader theme of Israel's spiritual adultery and rejection of God's covenant, which Hosea frequently addresses. The priestly role as a type of Christ highlights the gravity of this rebellion, as it foreshadows the ultimate rejection of Jesus, the High Priest, by His own people.<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 marked by his call to speak against the spiritual adultery and idolatry of Israel. His life and message were a reflection of God's steadfast love and the call to repentance.<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 in a state of moral and spiritual decline, having turned away from God to worship idols.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/priests.htm">Priests</a></b><br>In the context of Hosea, the priests were meant to be spiritual leaders and mediators between God and the people. However, they had become corrupt and were leading the people astray.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/contending.htm">Contending</a></b><br>The act of arguing or disputing, which in this context refers to the people's resistance to correction and their contentious nature, even against those appointed by God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/reproof.htm">Reproof</a></b><br>A term indicating correction or rebuke, which the people of Israel were rejecting, showing their hardened hearts and unwillingness to return to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_contention.htm">The Danger of Contention</a></b><br>Contending with God's appointed leaders is a sign of spiritual rebellion. We must be cautious not to resist godly correction and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_spiritual_leaders.htm">The Role of Spiritual Leaders</a></b><br>Priests and pastors are called to lead with integrity. When they fail, it can lead to widespread spiritual decay. We should pray for and support our leaders in their calling.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_reproof.htm">The Importance of Reproof</a></b><br>Accepting correction is vital for spiritual growth. We should cultivate a heart that is open to God's reproof through His Word and His messengers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_accountability.htm">Spiritual Accountability</a></b><br>Just as Israel was accountable for their actions, we too are accountable to God. We must examine our lives regularly and seek to align with His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_rebellion.htm">The Consequences of Rebellion</a></b><br>Rebellion against God leads to spiritual and moral decline. We must strive to remain obedient and faithful to His commands.<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/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><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/how_did_israel_appoint_kings_without_god.htm">Hosea 8:4: How could Israel set up kings without God's approval if He is sovereign over all nations?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_blame_them_for_judah's_sins.htm">Hosea 4:15: How can God hold the people responsible for following Judah's sins if their fates are ultimately under His control?</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>(4) <span class= "bld">Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">Nevertheless, let no one contend, let no one reprove,</span> for the voices of wise counsel, the warnings of the prophet, will be silenced. Ephraim will in his obstinate wrong-doing be left alone. The last clause of the verse is rendered by nearly all versions and commentators, <span class= "ital">Though thy people are as those who contend with a priest</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, are as guilty as those who transgress the teaching of the Torah by defying the injunctions of the priest (<a href="/context/deuteronomy/17-12.htm" title="And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not listen to the priest that stands to minister there before the LORD your God, or to the judge, even that man shall die: and you shall put away the evil from Israel.">Deuteronomy 17:12-13</a>; <a href="/numbers/15-33.htm" title="And they that found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation.">Numbers 15:33</a>). But the <span class= "ital">Speaker's Commentary</span> gives a different rendering, which is better adapted to the denunciations of the priest in the following verses (comp. <a href="/hosea/6-9.htm" title="And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.">Hosea 6:9</a>). By a slight change in the punctuation of the Hebrew we obtain the interpretation, "And thy people, O priest, are as my adversaries." The position of the vocative in Hebrew, and the absence of the article, are, no doubt, objections to such a construction, but they are not insuperable, and the compensating advantage to exegesis is manifest.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/hosea/4-4.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">But</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֥ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’aḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> </span><span class="str2">A particle of affirmation, surely</span><br /><br /><span class="word">let no</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֛ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">contend;</span><br /><span class="heb">יָרֵ֖ב</span> <span class="translit">(yā·rêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> </span><span class="str2">To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">let no</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֑ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">offer reproof;</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹכַ֣ח</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·ḵaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3198.htm">Strong's 3198: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convict</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for your people [are] like those</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַמְּךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘am·mə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine 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">who contend against</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּמְרִיבֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kim·rî·ḇê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> </span><span class="str2">To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a priest.</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹהֵֽן׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḵō·hên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hosea/4-4.htm">Hosea 4:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/hosea/4-4.htm">Hosea 4:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/hosea/4-4.htm">Hosea 4:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/hosea/4-4.htm">Hosea 4:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/hosea/4-4.htm">Hosea 4:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/hosea/4-4.htm">Hosea 4:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hosea/4-4.htm">Hosea 4:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/hosea/4-4.htm">Hosea 4:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/hosea/4-4.htm">Hosea 4:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/hosea/4-4.htm">Hosea 4:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/hosea/4-4.htm">OT Prophets: Hosea 4:4 Yet let no man bring a charge (Ho Hs Hos.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hosea/4-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hosea 4:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hosea 4:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hosea/4-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hosea 4:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hosea 4:5" /></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>