Hosea 5:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Hosea 5:4 delivers a powerful indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, particularly Ephraim, revealing the profound spiritual depravity that rendered them incapable of genuine repentance. This verse diagnoses the root cause of their persistent unfaithfulness: a pervasive "spirit of whoredoms" that had so thoroughly corrupted their hearts and minds that they neither desired nor were able to return to their covenant God, culminating in a tragic lack of intimate knowledge of the LORD.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 5 opens a new section of prophetic judgment, shifting from the general indictment of Israel's spiritual adultery (chapters 1-3) and the comprehensive charges against various societal groups (chapter 4) to a direct address to the nation's leaders—the priests, the royal house, and the people of Israel (Ephraim). The preceding verses (Hosea 5:1-3) explicitly accuse these leaders of setting "a snare on Mizpah" and "a net spread upon Tabor," indicating their active role in leading the people into idolatry and moral corruption. They are likened to deep diggers in rebellion, whose transgressions are known to God. Verse 5:4 then explains *why* the nation is so entrenched in its sin, unable to turn back: their actions are inherently framed against repentance, driven by an internal spiritual condition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hosea prophesied during a turbulent period in the Northern Kingdom (Israel/Ephraim), roughly from 760-722 BCE, leading up to its fall to Assyria. This era was marked by political instability, assassinations of kings, and a desperate search for alliances with foreign powers (Egypt and Assyria) rather than reliance on God. Culturally, Israel had deeply assimilated the Canaanite fertility cults, particularly the worship of Baal and Asherah, which involved ritual prostitution and polytheism. This syncretism was a direct violation of the Mosaic covenant, which demanded exclusive worship of Yahweh. The "spirit of whoredoms" therefore refers not merely to sexual immorality but primarily to spiritual idolatry, where Israel betrayed its covenant with God by pursuing other deities and their associated practices.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Hosea. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry**, presenting Israel's unfaithfulness to God as a betrayal of a marital covenant, a concept vividly introduced through Hosea's own marriage to Gomer (see [Hosea 1:2](/hosea/1-2 "Hosea's Marriage to Gomer")). Secondly, it highlights the **Inability to Repent**, indicating a hardened heart that resists God's call to return. This is not merely an unwillingness but a deep-seated spiritual condition that prevents them from "framing their doings" toward God. Finally, and perhaps most crucially, the verse emphasizes the **Lack of True Knowledge of God**. The Hebrew word for "know" (yada') implies an intimate, covenantal relationship, not just intellectual assent. Israel's failure to truly know the LORD in this deep, experiential sense is presented as the foundational cause of their spiritual wandering and their inability to repent, a theme echoed throughout the book, notably in [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Israel Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **whoredoms (Hebrew, _zânûwn'_):** Derived from the root for adultery, this term refers to spiritual unfaithfulness, specifically idolatry. In Hosea, it consistently depicts Israel's betrayal of their covenant relationship with Yahweh by engaging in the worship of foreign gods and their associated practices, which often involved ritual prostitution. It signifies a profound spiritual defilement and a breach of loyalty to their divine Husband.
* **known (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This is a primitive root meaning "to know," but in a profound, relational sense. It encompasses not just intellectual understanding but also intimate acquaintance, personal experience, acknowledgment, and a deep, covenantal relationship characterized by loyalty, obedience, and mutual commitment. Israel's failure to "know" the LORD implies a breakdown in this intimate, covenantal bond, leading to their spiritual and moral decay.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, personal name of God, often rendered "Yahweh," signifying "the self-Existent or Eternal One." It emphasizes God's unchanging nature, His covenant faithfulness, and His unique identity as the God of Israel. The fact that Israel "has not known the LORD" underscores their rejection of the very God who delivered them and entered into a covenant with them, opting instead for fleeting and false deities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God":** This clause indicates a deep-seated unwillingness and inability on the part of Israel to reorient their actions and intentions towards genuine repentance and a return to Yahweh. The phrase "frame their doings" (from H5414, _nâthan_, meaning "to give" or "to set") suggests that their very way of life, their habitual practices, and their moral compass were not aligned with the possibility of turning back to God. Their actions were fixed in a pattern of apostasy.
* **"for the spirit of whoredoms [is] in the midst of them":** This explains the reason for their inability to repent. The "spirit of whoredoms" (Hebrew: _ruach zenunim_) signifies a pervasive, internal disposition or dominant influence of spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. It's not merely an occasional lapse but an ingrained, driving force within the nation's core, corrupting their collective will and making them spiritually blind and unresponsive to God's call. This "spirit" acts as a powerful, internal obstacle to repentance.
* **"and they have not known the LORD":** This concluding phrase identifies the ultimate consequence and perhaps the deepest root cause of their condition. Their failure to "know" the LORD (in the intimate, covenantal sense of _yada'_) meant they lacked a true, experiential understanding of His character, His holiness, His love, and His demands. This profound ignorance of God's true nature led them to pursue false gods and immoral lifestyles, further cementing the "spirit of whoredoms" within them and preventing any genuine turning back.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 5:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Metaphor** is central, as Israel's spiritual infidelity is consistently depicted as "whoredom" or "adultery," drawing on the covenant relationship between God and Israel as a marriage. The "spirit of whoredoms" is a powerful **personification**, presenting this pervasive idolatry not merely as a set of actions but as an active, almost sentient force residing within the nation, driving their behavior and hardening their hearts. The phrase "they will not frame their doings to turn unto their God" uses **hyperbole** to emphasize the depth of their spiritual stubbornness and the seemingly insurmountable barrier to repentance. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **diagnosis**, explaining *why* Israel is in its current state of rebellion, linking their actions ("doings") to their internal spiritual condition ("spirit of whoredoms") and their fundamental relational failure ("have not known the LORD").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 5:4 profoundly illustrates the devastating consequences of spiritual apostasy and the hardening of the human heart against God. It reveals that persistent rebellion can lead to a state where genuine repentance becomes exceedingly difficult, if not humanly impossible, due to an ingrained "spirit" of unfaithfulness. The lack of true, intimate knowledge of God is presented as the foundational issue, leading to a distorted understanding of His character and demands, and consequently, a pursuit of idols that promise immediate gratification but ultimately lead to destruction. This verse underscores God's unwavering expectation of exclusive devotion and the severe spiritual repercussions when His people abandon Him for false gods.

* [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Forsaking the Fountain of Living Waters")
* [Romans 1:21-25](/romans/1-21-25 "Romans 1:21-25 - The Exchange of God's Glory for Idols")
* [Ephesians 4:17-19](/ephesians/4-17-19 "Ephesians 4:17-19 - The Futility of Gentile Thinking")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 5:4 serves as a sobering mirror, inviting us to critically examine the state of our own hearts and the objects of our deepest affections. It challenges us to consider whether our "doings" are truly framed towards turning to God, or if there is a subtle "spirit of whoredoms"—any idol, pursuit, or desire—that competes for His rightful place in our lives. This could manifest as an excessive love of comfort, wealth, reputation, or even ministry itself, if it supplants intimate devotion to Christ. The verse powerfully reminds us that a superficial, intellectual knowledge of God is insufficient; what God truly desires is an intimate, covenantal relationship that transforms our desires and directs our actions. We are called to diligently pursue a deeper "knowing" of the LORD through His Word, prayer, and obedient living, allowing His Spirit to dismantle any "spirit of whoredoms" that might hinder our full surrender and genuine repentance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "doings" in my life might indicate a heart not fully turned towards God?**
* **In what subtle ways might a "spirit of whoredoms"—idolatry or unfaithfulness—be at work in my own heart or in the church today?**
* **How does my understanding of "knowing the LORD" compare to the intimate, covenantal knowledge described in Hosea? What steps can I take to deepen this knowledge?**

### FAQ

**What does "spirit of whoredoms" mean in Hosea 5:4?**

Answer: The "spirit of whoredoms" (Hebrew: _ruach zenunim_) refers to a pervasive, internal disposition or dominant influence of spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. In the context of ancient Israel, it primarily signifies their betrayal of the covenant relationship with Yahweh by engaging in the worship of foreign gods like Baal and Asherah, which often involved ritual prostitution. It's not just occasional sin, but an ingrained, corrupting force within the nation that prevents them from turning back to God. It highlights how deeply entrenched their idolatry had become, affecting their very will and ability to repent.

**Why does the verse say "they have not known the LORD"? Does it mean they were ignorant of God's existence?**

Answer: No, it doesn't mean they were ignorant of God's existence. The Hebrew word for "known" (_yadaʻ_) implies much more than mere intellectual understanding or factual awareness. It refers to an intimate, experiential, and covenantal relationship characterized by loyalty, obedience, and personal experience. When Hosea says "they have not known the LORD," he means that Israel lacked this deep, transformative relationship with God. They had abandoned the covenant, forgotten His commands, and ceased to live in faithful obedience to Him, despite knowing *about* Him. This lack of true, relational knowledge was the root cause of their spiritual wandering and their inability to repent, as highlighted in [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 5:4, with its stark portrayal of Israel's inability to turn to God due to an ingrained "spirit of whoredoms" and a fundamental lack of knowing the LORD, powerfully anticipates the necessity of divine intervention for true repentance and reconciliation. The Old Testament repeatedly demonstrates humanity's inherent inability to perfectly "frame their doings to turn unto their God" (as seen in [Jeremiah 13:23](/jeremiah/13-23 "Jeremiah 13:23 - Can the Ethiopian change his skin?")). This spiritual paralysis, rooted in a heart alienated from God, finds its ultimate remedy in Jesus Christ. He is the one who, through His atoning sacrifice, breaks the power of the "spirit of whoredoms"—sin and idolatry—liberating humanity from its bondage. Through faith in Him, we are granted a new heart and a new spirit (as promised in [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")), enabling us to genuinely "turn unto their God." Furthermore, Jesus is the perfect revelation of God, the one through whom we truly "know the LORD." He declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")). To know Christ is to know the Father, and in Him, the intimate, covenantal relationship that Israel failed to maintain is fully restored and made possible for all who believe, leading to true repentance and a life framed by devotion to God.

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

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.