Hosea 5:4

They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms [is] in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.

They will not frame {H5414} their doings {H4611} to turn {H7725} unto their God {H430}: for the spirit {H7307} of whoredoms {H2183} is in the midst {H7130} of them, and they have not known {H3045} the LORD {H3068}.

Their deeds will not allow them to return to their God, for the spirit of whoring is in them, and they don't know ADONAI.

Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God, for a spirit of prostitution is within them, and they do not know the LORD.

Their doings will not suffer them to turn unto their God; for the spirit of whoredom is within them, and they know not Jehovah.

Commentary on Hosea 5:4 KJV

Hosea 5:4 delivers a stark indictment of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often referred to as Ephraim), revealing the profound spiritual decay that prevented their return to God. This verse highlights their deep-seated rebellion and the consequences of their unfaithfulness.

Context of Hosea 5:4

The prophet Hosea ministered to Israel during a period of significant political instability and moral decline, prior to their exile by Assyria. Chapter 5 specifically targets the religious and political leaders—the priests, the royal house, and the people—for their role in leading the nation astray. They are accused of setting snares and digging deep in apostasy. Hosea 5:4 explains *why* they cannot or will not repent: their hearts are so consumed by spiritual idolatry that genuine turning to God is impossible.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry: The phrase "the spirit of whoredoms" points directly to Israel's pervasive spiritual unfaithfulness. Instead of worshipping the LORD, they had embraced the pagan practices of surrounding nations, particularly the worship of Baal and Asherah, which often involved ritual prostitution. This spiritual adultery broke their covenant relationship with God, who is depicted as a faithful husband.
  • Inability to Repent: "They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God" signifies a deep-seated unwillingness and perhaps an inability to truly repent. Their actions and intentions were not geared towards returning to their covenant Lord. This wasn't merely a lapse but a hardened condition of the heart, making genuine repentance difficult, if not impossible, without divine intervention.
  • Lack of True Knowledge of God: The concluding phrase, "and they have not known the LORD," is a crucial theme throughout Hosea. The Hebrew word for "known" (yada') implies more than mere intellectual understanding; it signifies an intimate, covenantal relationship characterized by loyalty, obedience, and personal experience. Israel's failure to truly know God was the root cause of their spiritual wandering and their inability to repent. This lack of intimate knowledge of God's character and commands led them to pursue false gods and immoral lifestyles. Hosea 4:6 further emphasizes this point, stating that God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew phrase translated "spirit of whoredoms" is ruach zenunim. Ruach can mean "spirit," "wind," or "breath," suggesting a powerful, pervasive influence or disposition. Zenunim refers to acts of spiritual prostitution or unfaithfulness. Together, it conveys that spiritual adultery was not just an action but an ingrained, driving force within the nation.
  • The verb "known" (yada') highlights the relational aspect of biblical knowledge. It's not about academic facts but about an experiential, covenantal bond. Their superficial understanding meant they didn't truly grasp God's holiness, love, or demands.

Related Scriptures

The theme of spiritual whoredom is central to Hosea's message, introduced powerfully in Hosea 1:2 through the prophet's marriage to Gomer. The nation's persistent unfaithfulness is also evident in Hosea 4:12. For a contrast to their stubbornness, consider the call to genuine repentance found in Hosea 14:1.

Practical Application

Hosea 5:4 serves as a timeless warning for all believers. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for any "spirit of whoredoms"—anything that competes for God's rightful place in our lives. This could be materialism, ambition, pleasure, or any idol that distracts us from wholehearted devotion. The verse underscores the vital importance of truly "knowing the LORD" through diligent study of His Word, consistent prayer, and obedient living. A superficial knowledge or a merely intellectual assent is insufficient; God desires an intimate, transformative relationship that enables genuine repentance and steadfast loyalty.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

  • 1 John 2:3

    ¶ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

  • 1 John 2:4

    He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

  • John 8:55

    Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

  • Jeremiah 9:24

    But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I [am] the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [things] I delight, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 50:38

    A drought [is] upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it [is] the land of graven images, and they are mad upon [their] idols.

  • Hosea 4:6

    ¶ 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.

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