Hosea 5:6

KJV

They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find [him]; he hath withdrawn himself from them.

KJV (with Strong's)

They shall go {H3212} with their flocks {H6629} and with their herds {H1241} to seek {H1245} the LORD {H3068}; but they shall not find {H4672} him; he hath withdrawn {H2502} himself from them.

Complete Jewish Bible

With their flocks and herds they will go in search of ADONAI. But they won't find him; he has withdrawn from them.

Berean Standard Bible

They go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, but they do not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them.

American Standard Version

They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek Jehovah; but they shall not find him: he hath withdrawn himself from them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 5:6 vividly portrays the tragic spiritual predicament of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Ephraim, as they attempt to reconcile with the LORD through ritualistic sacrifices, only to find their efforts futile. Despite their outward display of devotion, the divine presence remains elusive, for God has intentionally withdrawn Himself due to their persistent unfaithfulness and spiritual harlotry. This verse underscores the profound judgment of a broken covenant, where superficial religious acts cannot bridge the chasm created by a rebellious heart, leading to an inability to connect with the very God they claim to seek.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 5:6 is situated within a broader prophetic indictment against the spiritual corruption of Israel, particularly Ephraim, and Judah. Chapters 4-7 detail God's legal case (a *rib*) against His people, exposing their idolatry, moral decay, and political instability. Preceding this verse, Hosea has condemned the priests for their failure to teach God's law and the people for their pervasive sin, declaring that they have "forgotten the law of their God" [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - Israel's Lack of Knowledge"). The immediate verses leading up to 5:6 describe God's judgment falling upon them, likening them to a "moth" and "rottenness" that consume them [Hosea 5:12](/hosea/5-12 "Hosea 5:12 - God's Judgment on Ephraim"). The "seeking" in verse 6 is not a genuine, repentant turning to God but a desperate, perhaps superstitious, attempt to appease Him after calamity has struck, or a superficial adherence to religious rites devoid of true devotion, a theme echoed throughout [Hosea's prophecy](/hosea/1 "The Book of Hosea - A Prophecy of Love and Judgment").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hosea prophesied during a turbulent period in Israel's history, spanning the reigns of several kings in both Israel and Judah, roughly from 750-715 BC. This era was marked by political instability, assassinations, and a constant shifting of alliances, particularly with powerful neighbors like Assyria and Egypt. Culturally, Israel had deeply assimilated Canaanite religious practices, blending the worship of the LORD with Baal worship, a syncretism that Hosea often likens to spiritual prostitution. The act of bringing "flocks and herds" was the standard means of offering sacrifices in the Old Testament, a core component of Israelite worship. However, the prophet critiques the *heart* behind these rituals. In this period, Israel often sought political solutions or engaged in empty religious rituals rather than turning wholeheartedly to the LORD, believing that outward acts alone could secure divine favor, a common misconception in ancient Near Eastern religions.
* **Key Themes:** Hosea 5:6 powerfully encapsulates several major themes prevalent throughout the book of Hosea. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Withdrawal**, where God actively removes His presence and favor as a direct consequence of Israel's persistent unfaithfulness. This is not merely a passive absence but a deliberate act of divine justice, signifying a broken covenant relationship. Secondly, the verse underscores the **Futility of Superficial Religion**, demonstrating that outward acts of worship, such as bringing sacrifices, are meaningless if not accompanied by genuine repentance and a heart devoted to God. This contrasts sharply with God's desire for "mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings" [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Mercy, Not Sacrifice"). Thirdly, it illustrates **Spiritual Barrenness**, where despite their efforts, they "shall not find him," indicating a profound lack of communion, guidance, and blessing from God, leading to a desolate spiritual state. This is a direct outcome of their covenant breaking, a theme that runs through [Hosea's entire message](/hosea/1 "The Book of Hosea - God's Steadfast Love for Unfaithful Israel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **go (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** From H3212, meaning "to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry." In this context, it describes the Israelites' physical movement towards the temple or places of worship, indicating an outward action of seeking. However, the futility of this "going" is immediately highlighted by the subsequent phrase.
* **seek (Hebrew, _bâqash'_):** From H1245, meaning "to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after." This word implies an active pursuit. While "seeking the LORD" is generally commendable in Scripture, here it is qualified by the context of Israel's unrepentant heart, rendering their "seeking" ineffective. It suggests a desperate, perhaps last-ditch effort, rather than a sincere, ongoing devotion.
* **withdrawn (Hebrew, _châlats'_):** From H2502, meaning "to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflex.) to depart; by implication, to deliver, equip (for fight)." In this specific Hithpael stem, it denotes a reflexive action: "he has withdrawn himself." This is a crucial theological point, emphasizing God's deliberate and active removal of His presence or favor. It is not that God is merely absent, but that He has intentionally distanced Himself from their superficial attempts at reconciliation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD;":** This clause depicts the Israelites engaging in what appears to be a religious pilgrimage or act of worship. "Flocks and herds" refer to the animals used for sacrifices, indicating their intention to offer propitiation or seek favor through traditional means. The phrase "to seek the LORD" suggests a desire for divine intervention or reconciliation, yet the following clause reveals the superficiality of this pursuit.
* **"but they shall not find [him];":** This is the stark consequence. Despite their outward efforts and the presentation of sacrifices, their search for God proves fruitless. The inability to "find" Him signifies a broken communion, a lack of divine response, and the absence of His active presence or blessing. This highlights the futility of ritual without righteousness.
* **"he hath withdrawn himself from them.":** This final clause provides the divine reason for their inability to find Him. God's withdrawal is an active, deliberate judgment, not a passive absence. It signifies a severing of the intimate covenant relationship due to Israel's persistent unfaithfulness. This withdrawal implies a cessation of divine guidance, protection, and favor, leaving them in a state of spiritual desolation.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 5:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment and spiritual futility. **Irony** is prominent, as the very act of "seeking the LORD" through traditional means (flocks and herds) is rendered useless by God's withdrawal. The people perform the expected rituals, but the expected outcome of finding God is tragically inverted. This creates a sense of **pathos**, evoking pity for a people who, despite their efforts, are cut off from their divine source. The phrase "he hath withdrawn himself" functions as a form of **divine personification**, attributing a human-like action (withdrawal) to God, emphasizing His deliberate and active role in their spiritual separation. The imagery of "flocks and herds" serves as **metonymy**, representing the entire sacrificial system and, by extension, the outward forms of Israelite religion. The verse’s concise structure and direct statement of consequence contribute to its **didactic** quality, serving as a clear warning about the dangers of superficial faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 5:6 profoundly illustrates the principle that God cannot be manipulated by mere ritual or outward religious performance when the heart remains unrepentant and disloyal. It underscores the severity of God's judgment when His people persistently violate their covenant relationship, leading to a divine withdrawal of presence and favor. This is not a capricious act, but a just response to their spiritual harlotry and idolatry, emphasizing that true communion with God requires sincerity, obedience, and genuine devotion, not just adherence to religious forms. The inability to "find" God, despite seeking Him with sacrifices, reveals the brokenness of the relationship and the futility of attempting to bridge the gap with anything less than a transformed heart.

* [Deuteronomy 31:17](/deuteronomy/31-17 "Deuteronomy 31:17 - God Hides His Face")
* [Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Sin Separates from God")
* [Jeremiah 29:13](/jeremiah/29-13 "Jeremiah 29:13 - Seeking God with All Your Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 5:6 serves as a timeless and sobering warning for all who seek to approach God. It challenges us to examine the authenticity of our spiritual pursuits, reminding us that outward religious activities—whether attending services, praying, or giving—are hollow and ineffective if our hearts are not genuinely aligned with God's will and character. When our worship becomes a mere ritual, a desperate attempt to appease God after a season of disobedience, or a superficial performance devoid of true repentance and devotion, we risk experiencing a spiritual barrenness where God's presence feels distant and His voice unheard. This verse calls us to cultivate a vibrant, living relationship with God, one built on truth, love, and sincere obedience, rather than relying on empty religious motions. It compels us to ask: Is my seeking of God truly from a surrendered heart, or is it merely an attempt to manipulate His favor or fulfill a religious obligation?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might my religious practices be more ritualistic than relational?**
* **What does it truly mean to "seek the LORD" with my whole heart, and how can I cultivate that sincerity daily?**
* **Are there ways in which my actions or attitudes might be causing God to "withdraw Himself" from my experience of His presence?**
* **How can I move beyond superficial religious observance to a deeper, more authentic communion with God?**

### FAQ
**Does God truly "withdraw Himself" from His people, or is it just their perception?**

Answer: Hosea 5:6 clearly states, "he hath withdrawn himself from them," indicating an active, deliberate divine action. While human perception of God's absence can be influenced by sin, the biblical text here points to God's intentional removal of His manifest presence and favor as a form of judgment for persistent unfaithfulness. This is not to say God ceases to exist or be sovereign, but that He makes Himself inaccessible to superficial attempts at reconciliation, allowing the natural consequences of a broken covenant to unfold. This concept is echoed in other scriptures where God "hides His face" from those who forsake Him, as seen in [Deuteronomy 31:17](/deuteronomy/31-17 "Deuteronomy 31:17 - God Hides His Face") and [Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Sin Separates from God").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 5:6, with its somber declaration of God's withdrawal from an unfaithful Israel, finds its ultimate resolution and reversal in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's recurring theme of humanity's inability to genuinely seek and find God due to sin's separating power is profoundly addressed in the New Covenant. While Israel's attempts to "seek the LORD" with sacrifices proved futile because "he hath withdrawn himself from them," Christ Himself became the perfect and final sacrifice, making a way for humanity to draw near to God once more. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness, allowing us to [have boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19 - Access to God through Christ"). Through Christ, the chasm created by sin is bridged, and God's presence, once withdrawn from the unrepentant, is now eternally accessible to those who believe. Jesus declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way to the Father"), revealing that true seeking and finding of God is no longer a matter of ritualistic offerings but of faith in the Son. In Christ, God does not withdraw but actively draws us to Himself, fulfilling the promise that [those who seek Him with all their heart will find Him](/jeremiah/29-13 "Jeremiah 29:13 - Seeking God with All Your Heart") through the perfect mediator.

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

Proverbs 1:28

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

John 7:34

Ye shall seek me, and shall not find [me]: and where I am, [thither] ye cannot come.

Micah 6:6

¶ Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, [and] bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?

Micah 6:7

Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, [or] with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn [for] my transgression, the fruit of my body [for] the sin of my soul?

Ezekiel 8:6

He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? [even] the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, [and] thou shalt see greater abominations.

Isaiah 1:11

To what purpose [is] the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

Isaiah 1:15

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.