Hosea 5:3

KJV

I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, [and] Israel is defiled.

KJV (with Strong's)

I know {H3045} Ephraim {H669}, and Israel {H3478} is not hid {H3582} from me: for now, O Ephraim {H669}, thou committest whoredom {H2181}, and Israel {H3478} is defiled {H2930}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I know Efrayim; Isra'el is not hidden from me; for now, Efrayim, you are a whore; Isra'el is defiled."

Berean Standard Bible

I know all about Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me. For now, O Ephraim, you have turned to prostitution; Israel is defiled.

American Standard Version

I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me; for now, O Ephraim, thou hast played the harlot, Israel is defiled.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 5:3 delivers a poignant divine indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often represented by Ephraim, for their profound spiritual unfaithfulness. The Lord declares His intimate and inescapable knowledge of their actions, revealing that their persistent idolatry and covenant breaking, metaphorically depicted as "whoredom," have led to their complete moral and ritual defilement before Him. This verse underscores God's omniscience and the severe consequences of national apostasy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 5:3 is situated within a broader prophetic oracle (Hosea 5:1-7:16) that pronounces judgment against Israel's political and religious leaders, as well as the people themselves. Preceding this verse, Hosea 5:1-2 sets the stage by summoning priests, the house of Israel, and the house of the king to hear a judgment, accusing them of setting snares and deep corruption. The immediate context of verse 3 highlights that despite their attempts to hide their transgressions, God sees all. Following this verse, the prophet continues to detail the specific nature of their sin, particularly their spiritual prostitution and reliance on foreign alliances instead of the Lord, leading to an inevitable downfall and the inability to return to God due to their "spirit of whoredom" (Hosea 5:4).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hosea's ministry spanned the tumultuous final decades of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (circa 750-715 BCE), a period marked by political instability, assassinations of kings, and a rapid succession of weak rulers. This internal chaos was compounded by external pressures from the rising Assyrian Empire. Culturally, Israel had deeply assimilated Canaanite religious practices, particularly the worship of Baal, which involved fertility cults and ritual prostitution. This syncretism was a direct violation of their covenant with Yahweh, who demanded exclusive worship. Furthermore, Israel's leaders sought political alliances with Egypt and Assyria, rather than trusting in God for national security, further demonstrating their spiritual "whoredom" by turning to foreign "lovers."
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the book of Hosea. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Omniscience and Inescapable Judgment**, asserting that God's knowledge of Israel's sin is absolute and comprehensive, leaving no room for evasion. This theme is echoed in passages like [Psalm 139:7-12](/psalm/139-7-12 "Psalm 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence and Omniscience"). Secondly, the pervasive theme of **Covenant Unfaithfulness and Spiritual Adultery** is central, as Israel's pursuit of idolatry and foreign alliances is consistently depicted as "whoredom," breaking the sacred marriage covenant between Yahweh and His people. This metaphor is foundational to Hosea's entire message, as seen from [Hosea 1:2](/hosea/1-2 "Hosea 1:2 - God's Command to Marry a Prostitute"). Finally, the verse highlights the **Defilement and Consequences of Sin**, showing that Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness has rendered them morally and ritually impure, making them unfit for God's presence and deserving of His righteous judgment, a concept explored in [Leviticus 18:24-28](/leviticus/18-24-28 "Leviticus 18:24-28 - Consequences of Defilement").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ_):** This term (H3045) signifies more than mere intellectual awareness; it denotes a deep, intimate, and experiential understanding, often implying a covenantal relationship. When God declares, "I know Ephraim," it speaks to His profound, personal relationship with Israel, a relationship now marred by their unfaithfulness. It also carries the connotation of discerning and judging their actions with perfect insight, leaving no sin hidden or unobserved.
* **Committest Whoredom (Hebrew, _zânâh_):** This primitive root (H2181) literally means to commit fornication or prostitution. However, in prophetic literature, and especially in Hosea, it is overwhelmingly used metaphorically to describe Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness to Yahweh. It encompasses their idolatry (worshipping other gods like Baal), their syncretistic religious practices, and their reliance on foreign political alliances rather than trusting in God. This "whoredom" represents a betrayal of the exclusive covenant relationship Israel had with God, akin to marital infidelity.
* **Defiled (Hebrew, _ṭâmêʼ_):** This primitive root (H2930) means to be foul, unclean, impure, or polluted, primarily in a ceremonial or moral sense. When Israel is described as "defiled," it signifies that their spiritual "whoredom" has rendered them ritually and morally contaminated in God's sight. This defilement makes them unfit for worship, for receiving divine blessings, and for maintaining their covenant relationship with a holy God. It implies a state of spiritual corruption that necessitates divine intervention for cleansing or judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I know Ephraim":** This opening declaration asserts God's complete and intimate knowledge of the Northern Kingdom, represented by its leading tribe, Ephraim. It signifies that God is fully aware of their spiritual condition, their actions, and their intentions, leaving no aspect of their lives hidden from His sight. This "knowing" is not merely intellectual but implies a deep, personal, and covenantal understanding, which now serves as the basis for His impending judgment.
* **"and Israel is not hid from me":** This phrase reiterates and intensifies the preceding declaration, emphasizing God's omnipresence and omniscience. It confirms that no part of the nation, no individual, and no sin can be concealed from the Lord. Their attempts to hide their idolatry or their reliance on foreign powers are futile; God sees all and holds them accountable.
* **"for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom":** This clause reveals the specific nature of the sin that God "knows" and for which Israel is held accountable. The term "whoredom" is a powerful metaphor for Israel's spiritual infidelity—their abandonment of Yahweh for pagan gods (Baal worship) and their pursuit of unholy alliances with foreign nations. It highlights their betrayal of the covenant relationship, likened to a marriage, with God. The word "now" emphasizes the present, ongoing nature of their transgression.
* **"and Israel is defiled":** This final clause states the direct consequence of their spiritual "whoredom." Their unfaithfulness has rendered the entire nation morally and ritually unclean in God's eyes. This defilement impacts their ability to worship, to receive blessings, and to stand in a right relationship with a holy God, necessitating either purification or judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 5:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness is consistently portrayed as "whoredom." This metaphor, central to the book of Hosea, transforms the abstract concept of idolatry and covenant-breaking into the concrete, visceral image of marital infidelity, emphasizing the depth of Israel's betrayal and the emotional pain it causes God. The use of **Personification** is also evident, as "Ephraim" and "Israel" are treated as singular entities capable of committing acts like "whoredom" and becoming "defiled," giving the nation a collective moral agency. Furthermore, the declaration "I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me" utilizes **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like knowledge and perception to God to convey His absolute omniscience and inescapable awareness of His people's actions, making His judgment both perfectly informed and utterly just.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 5:3 profoundly underscores the themes of divine omniscience, covenant fidelity, and the defiling nature of sin. God's declaration, "I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me," establishes His perfect knowledge of humanity's deepest spiritual condition, revealing that no sin, no matter how concealed, escapes His notice. This intimate knowledge forms the basis of His righteous judgment, but also of His enduring love and desire for His people's repentance. The accusation of "whoredom" highlights the sacredness of the covenant relationship between God and His people, depicting idolatry and unfaithfulness as a profound betrayal of divine love, akin to marital infidelity. This spiritual defilement, a direct consequence of their sin, renders them impure and separated from a holy God, necessitating divine intervention for either cleansing or judgment.

* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalm/139-1-4 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience and Intimate Knowledge")
* [Jeremiah 3:8-9](/jeremiah/3-8-9 "Jeremiah 3:8-9 - Israel's Spiritual Adultery and Defilement")
* [Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Sin Separates from God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 5:3 serves as a timeless mirror for self-examination, reminding us that God's gaze penetrates beyond outward appearances to the true condition of our hearts. Just as He knew Ephraim's spiritual "whoredom," He knows every inclination, every hidden idol, and every compromise in our own lives. This truth should inspire both awe and humility, recognizing that we stand transparent before our Creator. In a world saturated with distractions and competing allegiances, the call to avoid "whoredom" translates to guarding against anything that usurps God's rightful place of supreme devotion. Whether it's the pursuit of wealth, status, comfort, or even good causes that become ultimate, anything that draws our ultimate trust and affection away from God becomes a modern idol, defiling our spiritual purity and hindering our relationship with Him. This verse compels us to cultivate a posture of radical honesty before God, confessing our spiritual compromises and actively choosing wholehearted devotion, knowing that true life and flourishing are found only in an undivided heart committed to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be unknowingly or knowingly committing "whoredom" by placing something or someone above my devotion to God?**
* **How does the truth of God's complete knowledge of my heart impact my desire for authenticity and purity in my faith?**
* **What practical steps can I take to root out modern idols and pursue a more undivided, undefiled relationship with God?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Ephraim and Israel in this verse?**

Answer: In the context of the Divided Kingdom, "Ephraim" often refers specifically to the dominant tribe of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, while "Israel" can refer to the entire Northern Kingdom. Hosea frequently uses "Ephraim" as a synecdoche for the whole kingdom, highlighting its leading role in the spiritual apostasy. The repetition of both names in [Hosea 5:3](/hosea/5-3 "Hosea 5:3 - God's Knowledge of Ephraim's Whoredom") emphasizes that the judgment is comprehensive, encompassing both the leading tribe and the entire nation. It underscores that the defilement and unfaithfulness were widespread, affecting every part of the people.

**How does "whoredom" relate to idolatry in the Old Testament?**

Answer: In the Old Testament prophetic books, particularly Hosea, "whoredom" (Hebrew: _zânâh_) is a powerful and frequently used metaphor for idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness. God established a covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai, likening it to a marriage between Himself and His people. Just as a wife's infidelity breaks the marriage covenant, Israel's worship of other gods (like Baal) and their reliance on foreign alliances instead of Yahweh were seen as acts of spiritual adultery. This metaphor vividly conveys the betrayal, the breaking of sacred vows, and the deep offense caused to God by their turning away from Him. Examples can be found in [Jeremiah 3:6-10](/jeremiah/3-6-10 "Jeremiah 3:6-10 - Israel and Judah's Spiritual Adultery") and [Ezekiel 16:15-19](/ezekiel/16-15-19 "Ezekiel 16:15-19 - Jerusalem's Spiritual Harlotry").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 5:3, with its stark declaration of God's intimate knowledge of Israel's "whoredom" and defilement, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Lord's perfect knowledge of Ephraim's sin foreshadows Christ's divine omniscience, who "knew all people" and "needed no one to testify about human nature, for he himself knew what was in everyone" ([John 2:24-25](/john/2-24-25 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus' Knowledge of Humanity")). The "whoredom" of Israel, representing humanity's pervasive spiritual infidelity and rebellion against God, points to the universal problem of sin that defiles all people, rendering them unclean before a holy God ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). Yet, unlike Israel, who could not cleanse themselves, Christ offers the ultimate solution to this defilement. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), whose blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing from Sin through Christ's Blood")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus not only knows our defilement but purifies us, transforming those who were spiritually adulterous into a pure bride, "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). Thus, the judgment pronounced in Hosea 5:3 highlights the desperate need for a Savior, a need fully met in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Amos 3:2

You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

Ezekiel 23:5

And Aholah played the harlot when she was mine; and she doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians [her] neighbours,

Ezekiel 23:21

Thus thou calledst to remembrance the lewdness of thy youth, in bruising thy teats by the Egyptians for the paps of thy youth.

Deuteronomy 33:17

His glory [is like] the firstling of his bullock, and his horns [are like] the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they [are] the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they [are] the thousands of Manasseh.

Isaiah 7:8

For the head of Syria [is] Damascus, and the head of Damascus [is] Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.

Isaiah 7:9

And the head of Ephraim [is] Samaria, and the head of Samaria [is] Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.

Hosea 8:11

Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.