King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people [are] as they that strive with the priest.
Complete Jewish Bible:
But no one should quarrel or rebuke, because your people are having to quarrel with the cohen.
Berean Standard Bible:
But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest.
American Standard Version:
Yet let no man strive, neither let any man reprove; for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Yet let no man{H376} strive{H7378}, nor reprove{H3198} another{H376}: for thy people{H5971} are as they that strive{H7378} with the priest{H3548}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 17:12
- 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.
Hosea 4:17
- Ephraim [is] joined to idols: let him alone.
Amos 5:13
- Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it [is] an evil time.
Matthew 7:3
- And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Matthew 7:6
- Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Ezekiel 3:26
- And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they [are] a rebellious house.
Amos 6:10
- 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 [is] by the sides of the house, [Is there] yet [any] 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.
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Commentary for Hosea 4:4
4:4 Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people [are] as they that strive with the priest.
Hosea 4:4 is a verse from the Book of Hosea, which is part of the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament. Hosea was a prophet who ministered to the northern kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BCE, a time when the kingdom was experiencing moral decay, political instability, and a turning away from the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The verse is set within a larger condemnation by God, through the prophet Hosea, of the people's unfaithfulness and the priests' failure to uphold the law and teach the knowledge of God.
In this verse, God is instructing that there should be no contention or quarreling among the people, which reflects the broader theme of the need for justice and righteousness in the community. The phrase "for thy people [are] as they that strive with the priest" suggests that the people of Israel are in conflict with their religious leaders, which is indicative of the broader spiritual and moral crisis of the time. The priests, who should have been guiding the people in the ways of God, have themselves become part of the problem, leading to a breakdown in the religious and social order.
The historical context of this verse is crucial to understanding its message. The northern kingdom of Israel was eventually conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BCE, an event that many prophets, including Hosea, saw as a divine punishment for the people's infidelity to God's covenant. Hosea's message was a call to repentance, urging the people and their leaders to return to a life of faithfulness and justice, which was necessary for their survival as a nation and as a people chosen by God. The verse underscores the importance of spiritual leadership and the dire consequences of both the priests' and the people's failure to live according to God's commandments.
*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: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H7378
There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רִיב
Transliteration: rîyb
Pronunciation: reeb
Description: or רוּב; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend; adversary, chide, complain, contend, debate, [idiom] ever, [idiom] lay wait, plead, rebuke, strive, [idiom] thoroughly. - Strong's Number: H3198
There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָכַח
Transliteration: yâkach
Pronunciation: yaw-kahh'
Description: a primitive root; to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict; appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correct(-ion), daysman, dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke, reprove(-r), surely, in any wise. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H3548
There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּהֵן
Transliteration: kôhên
Pronunciation: ko-hane'
Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer.