¶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
My people {H5971} are destroyed {H1820} for lack of knowledge {H1847}: because thou hast rejected {H3988} knowledge {H1847}, I will also reject {H3988} thee, that thou shalt be no priest {H3547} to me: seeing thou hast forgotten {H7911} the law {H8451} of thy God {H430}, I will also forget {H7911} thy children {H1121}.
My people are destroyed for want of knowledge. Because you rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as cohen for me. Because you forgot the Torah of your God, I will also forget your children.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children.
-
Isaiah 5:13
Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because [they have] no knowledge: and their honourable men [are] famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. -
Proverbs 19:2
¶ Also, [that] the soul [be] without knowledge, [it is] not good; and he that hasteth with [his] feet sinneth. -
Hosea 6:6
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. -
2 Corinthians 4:3
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: -
2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. -
Hosea 4:1
¶ 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. -
Matthew 15:8
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me.
Commentary on Hosea 4:6
Hosea 4:6 delivers a powerful and sobering indictment against ancient Israel, particularly the Northern Kingdom, for their profound spiritual decay and disregard for God's truth. This verse encapsulates the core message of Hosea's prophecy, highlighting the dire consequences of a nation's departure from divine knowledge.
Context
The prophet Hosea ministered during a turbulent period in Israel's history, marked by political instability, idolatry, and moral corruption, preceding the Assyrian conquest and exile. Chapter 4 begins with God's "controversy" or lawsuit against the inhabitants of the land, listing a litany of sins: swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and committing adultery. The verse specifically targets the spiritual leadership, the priests, who were meant to be guardians and teachers of God's law (Malachi 2:7), but had themselves become complicit in the nation's spiritual decline.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "knowledge," da'ath (דַּעַת), signifies a deep, personal acquaintance and understanding, not just intellectual assent. It implies moral discernment and obedience. To "reject" (ma'as, מָאַס) is a strong term meaning to despise, scorn, or refuse something valuable. The word "destroyed" (damah, דָּמָה) can mean to be silent, cut off, or perish, indicating a cessation of life and function, leading to ruin.
Practical Application
Hosea 4:6 serves as a timeless warning. For believers today, it emphasizes the critical importance of pursuing a deep, personal knowledge of God and His Word. Spiritual ignorance, especially if it stems from a deliberate rejection of truth, leads to destructive outcomes in personal lives, families, and communities. This verse calls us to:
Ultimately, the verse reminds us that a vibrant relationship with God, founded on knowing and obeying Him, is essential for flourishing, while spiritual apathy and rejection of truth lead to ruin.