King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Whoring and wine, both old and new, take away my people's wits.
Berean Standard Bible:
Promiscuity, wine, and new wine take away understanding.
American Standard Version:
Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the understanding.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Whoredom{H2184} and wine{H3196} and new wine{H8492} take away{H3947} the heart{H3820}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Proverbs 20:1
- ¶ Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
Luke 21:34
- And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.
Isaiah 28:7
- But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble [in] judgment.
Proverbs 6:32
- [But] whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he [that] doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
Hosea 4:12
- ¶ My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused [them] to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.
Romans 13:11
- ¶ And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Romans 13:14
- But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].
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Commentary for Hosea 4:11
13.5. Hosea 4:11 is a verse from the Old Testament prophetic book of Hosea, which is set in the context of the northern kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BCE. The book primarily addresses the apostasy of the Israelites, who have turned away from the worship of Yahweh to engage in the worship of other gods, particularly Baal, a Canaanite deity. Hosea uses the metaphor of an unfaithful wife to illustrate the infidelity of Israel to Yahweh, as he is instructed by God to marry a promiscuous woman named Gomer to mirror this spiritual adultery.
In Hosea 4:11, the verse reads: "Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart." This succinct statement encapsulates the moral and spiritual decay that Hosea sees in Israelite society. The term "whoredom" refers not only to literal sexual immorality but also serves as a symbol for idolatry, which is seen as spiritual unfaithfulness to God. The mention of "wine and new wine" points to the excessive indulgence in alcohol that is contributing to the moral laxity of the people. The verse suggests that these vices—sexual immorality and drunkenness—are distracting the people from the true worship of Yahweh and are corrupting their ability to maintain a pure and devoted heart to their God.
The historical context of this verse reflects a time when Israel was experiencing economic prosperity, which often leads to moral decline and a sense of self-sufficiency that diminishes the perceived need for divine guidance. Hosea's message is a prophetic rebuke, calling the people to repentance and a return to a life centered on the worship of Yahweh, free from the distractions and corrupting influences of idolatry and hedonism. The verse serves as a warning that such behaviors not only lead to societal decay but also alienate individuals from the life-giving relationship with God, which is the source of true wisdom and understanding ("heart" being a metaphor for the core of one's being and moral compass).
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H2184
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זְנוּת
Transliteration: zᵉnûwth
Pronunciation: zen-ooth'
Description: from זָנָה; adultery, i.e. (figuratively) infidelity, idolatry; whoredom. - Strong's Number: H3196
There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יַיִן
Transliteration: yayin
Pronunciation: yah'-yin
Description: from an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication; banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber). - Strong's Number: H8492
There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תִּירוֹשׁ
Transliteration: tîyrôwsh
Pronunciation: tee-roshe'
Description: or תִּירֹשׁ; from יָרַשׁ in the sense of expulsion; must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine; (new, sweet) wine. - Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H3820
There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵב
Transliteration: lêb
Pronunciation: labe
Description: a form of לֵבָב; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything; [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom.