Hosea 6:4

KJV

¶ O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness [is] as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.

KJV (with Strong's)

O Ephraim {H669}, what shall I do {H6213} unto thee? O Judah {H3063}, what shall I do {H6213} unto thee? for your goodness {H2617} is as a morning {H1242} cloud {H6051}, and as the early {H7925} dew {H2919} it goeth away {H1980}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Efrayim, what should I do to you? Y'hudah, what should I do to you? For your 'faithful love' is like a morning cloud, like dew that disappears quickly.

Berean Standard Bible

What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes.

American Standard Version

O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the dew that goeth early away.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 6:4 captures the Lord's profound lament over the superficial and transient devotion of both the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and the southern kingdom of Judah. It reveals God's deep disappointment with their inconsistent loyalty, likening their "goodness" or steadfast love to a fleeting morning cloud and an early dew that quickly vanishes, underscoring their failure to maintain genuine covenant faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a passage (Hosea 6:1-3) where the people express a superficial desire to return to the Lord, uttering words of repentance that lack true heart change. Their declaration, "Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up," sounds hopeful but is revealed by God's subsequent lament in [Hosea 6:4](/hosea/6-4 "Hosea 6:4 - God's Lament over Fleeting Goodness") to be hollow. They anticipated immediate restoration based on a mere outward turning, failing to grasp the depth of genuine repentance and the steadfast love God truly desired. The entire book of Hosea consistently highlights Israel's spiritual adultery and unfaithfulness, often likening their relationship with God to a broken marriage covenant, and warns of the severe consequences of their persistent rebellion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hosea prophesied during a turbulent period in both Israel (Ephraim) and Judah, primarily in the 8th century BCE. The northern kingdom of Israel was particularly unstable, marked by frequent changes in kingship, political assassinations, and a deep-seated idolatry that permeated all levels of society. Judah, though more stable, also exhibited periods of unfaithfulness. The agricultural imagery of "morning cloud" and "early dew" would have resonated powerfully with an agrarian society dependent on consistent rain and moisture for crops. Morning dew was common but quickly evaporated under the rising sun, and morning clouds often dissipated without bringing rain, making them apt metaphors for something that appears promising but delivers nothing substantial or lasting. This context highlights the stark contrast between God's steadfast covenant love and His people's fleeting commitment.
* **Key Themes:** Hosea 6:4 contributes significantly to several major themes found throughout the book of Hosea. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Superficial Piety**, where outward expressions of devotion or fleeting emotional responses are contrasted with the deep, enduring covenant loyalty God desires. The imagery of the "morning cloud" and "early dew" perfectly encapsulates a goodness that appears promising but quickly vanishes, lacking depth and consistency, a theme echoed in God's later declaration that He desires [steadfast love (chesed) more than sacrifice](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Steadfast Love, Not Just Sacrifice"). Secondly, the rhetorical question, "O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee?" expresses profound **Divine Disappointment** and exasperation. It is a lament from a heartbroken God, highlighting His desire for a genuine, lasting relationship that their actions continually denied Him, a sentiment also seen in [Isaiah 1:2-4](/isaiah/1-2-4 "Isaiah 1:2-4 - Israel's Rebellion"). Finally, the verse underscores the pervasive theme of **Covenant Unfaithfulness**. Despite God's sustained efforts, patience, and unwavering love, both Israel and Judah repeatedly turned away, their supposed commitment proving unreliable and transient, leading to the divine judgment and restoration cycle that defines much of [Hosea 1](/hosea/1 "Hosea Chapter 1 - Hosea's Marriage and Israel's Unfaithfulness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **goodness (Hebrew, _chêçêd'_):** While often translated as "mercy," "kindness," or "lovingkindness" when referring to God's character, here it describes the people's own loyalty, devotion, or steadfast love towards God. The irony is stark: the very quality God desires from them – a steadfast, covenantal love – is precisely what is fleeting and unreliable in their actions. This highlights the stark contrast with God's own unwavering _chêçêd_.
* **morning (Hebrew, _bôqer'_):** This word refers to the dawn or early morning. In the context of "morning cloud" and "early dew," it emphasizes the ephemeral nature of the phenomenon. These are things that appear at the very beginning of the day but are quickly gone as the sun rises, reinforcing the transient quality of Israel and Judah's devotion.
* **goeth away (Hebrew, _hâlak'_):** A primitive root meaning "to walk" or "to go," but used in a wide variety of applications, literally and figuratively. Here, it signifies the act of vanishing, departing, or dissipating. It vividly portrays the rapid disappearance of their "goodness," underscoring its lack of endurance and substance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee?":** This is a poignant, rhetorical cry from God, expressing His deep anguish, frustration, and exasperation with His people. "Ephraim" represents the northern kingdom of Israel, and "Judah" the southern kingdom. God's question is not born of ignorance or helplessness, but of profound disappointment and a sense of having exhausted all means of bringing them to true repentance. It conveys His longing for their genuine return and His sorrow over their persistent unfaithfulness.
* **"for your goodness [is] as a morning cloud,":** The conjunction "for" introduces the reason for God's lament. Their "goodness" (Hebrew: _chêçêd_, referring to their loyalty, devotion, or steadfast love towards God) is compared to a "morning cloud." This simile vividly portrays something that appears promising and substantial at first light but quickly dissipates without yielding any lasting benefit, such as rain. It signifies a superficial, transient commitment.
* **"and as the early dew it goeth away.":** This second simile reinforces the first, emphasizing the fleeting nature of their devotion. "Early dew" is a common phenomenon in the ancient Near East, providing temporary moisture but evaporating rapidly as the sun rises. Just as the dew offers only momentary refreshment before vanishing, so too their "goodness" is not rooted in deep conviction or consistent obedience, but is merely a temporary impulse that quickly disappears.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 6:4 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of divine lament and human transience. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee?" This is not a question seeking an answer, but rather an expression of profound sorrow, exasperation, and a sense of having exhausted all options in dealing with His unfaithful people. It highlights God's deep emotional investment and His heartbreak over their persistent rebellion. Secondly, the verse employs powerful **Simile** by comparing the people's "goodness" to "a morning cloud" and "the early dew." These comparisons are highly effective, drawing on common natural phenomena to illustrate the fleeting, insubstantial, and unreliable nature of their devotion. The imagery is vivid and easily understood by an agrarian society, emphasizing that their commitment, though perhaps present for a brief moment, lacks the depth and endurance necessary for a true covenant relationship. The use of these natural elements also contributes to the overall **Imagery** of the passage, painting a clear picture of something that appears but quickly vanishes, underscoring the ephemeral quality of their spiritual state.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 6:4 profoundly reveals God's heart: His desire for genuine, consistent, and steadfast love from His people, rather than fleeting displays of piety or superficial repentance. It underscores a foundational biblical truth that God values the internal disposition of the heart—true loyalty and devotion (the essence of _chesed_)—over outward ritual or temporary emotional responses. This divine preference is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, challenging believers to examine the sincerity and longevity of their faith. God's lament here serves as a timeless reminder that while He is patient and merciful, He ultimately seeks a transformed heart that yields consistent obedience and a deep, abiding relationship, not merely transient gestures of "goodness" that vanish like morning mist.

* [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Hosea 6:6 - God Desires Steadfast Love, Not Sacrifice")
* [Isaiah 1:11-15](/isaiah/1-11-15 "Isaiah 1:11-15 - God Rejects Empty Rituals")
* [James 4:14](/james/4-14 "James 4:14 - Life is a Vapor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 6:4 serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, prompting us to critically examine the sincerity and longevity of our own faith and devotion. Is our "goodness" or commitment to God merely a fleeting emotional response, perhaps stirred by a moving sermon or a personal crisis, only to dissipate when life's pressures return or spiritual fervor wanes? Or is it rooted in a deep, abiding relationship with Christ that produces consistent obedience, steadfast love, and enduring faithfulness? God seeks more than outward displays of piety or temporary zeal; He desires a transformed heart that genuinely seeks Him daily, demonstrating a love that withstands the tests of time and temptation. Our relationship with God should be characterized by a steadfast love and faithfulness that mirrors the unwavering nature of His own _hesed_ towards us, moving beyond mere ritual to a life of genuine, consistent devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might my "goodness" or devotion to God be more like a "morning cloud" or "early dew" – present one moment, gone the next?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more consistent and deeply rooted relationship with God, moving beyond superficial expressions of faith?**
* **How does God's lament in Hosea 6:4 challenge my understanding of genuine repentance and what it means to truly "return to the Lord"?**

### FAQ

**What does "goodness" mean in Hosea 6:4, and why is it described as fleeting?**

Answer: In Hosea 6:4, the Hebrew word translated "goodness" is _chesed_ (חֶסֶד). While often rendered as "mercy" or "lovingkindness" when describing God's character, here it refers to the people's own loyalty, devotion, or steadfast love towards God. It's the covenant faithfulness that God expects from His people. It is described as fleeting, like "a morning cloud" and "early dew," because their commitment was inconsistent, superficial, and lacked endurance. They might express a desire to return to God (as in [Hosea 6:1-3](/hosea/6-1-3 "Hosea 6:1-3 - Superficial Repentance")), but their actions and subsequent turning away demonstrated that this "goodness" was not deeply rooted or sustained, quickly vanishing under the pressures of life or the allure of idolatry. This highlights God's deep disappointment with their lack of genuine, lasting commitment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 6:4, with its lament over Israel and Judah's fleeting goodness, points powerfully to the ultimate and perfect fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The "goodness" (or _chesed_, steadfast love) that the people of God consistently failed to maintain is perfectly embodied in the Person of Jesus. He alone lived a life of unwavering obedience and perfect _chesed_ towards God and humanity, never wavering in His commitment, unlike the "morning cloud" or "early dew" of Israel's devotion. Christ's sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate demonstration of God's own steadfast love, fulfilling the very _chesed_ that God desired from His people but which they could not provide ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). Through faith in Him, believers are not called to produce a fleeting "goodness" of their own, but are clothed in His perfect righteousness ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Moreover, the New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's blood, promises a transformed heart, where God's law is written not on stone tablets, but on the heart itself ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")), enabling a genuine and enduring _chesed_ that is empowered by the Holy Spirit, ensuring that our walk with God is not fleeting but steadfast, reflecting the very character of our Savior ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3-4 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in 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

Hosea 13:3

Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff [that] is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

Hosea 11:8

¶ How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

Psalms 78:34

When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

Psalms 78:37

For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

Matthew 13:21

Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Luke 13:7

Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?

Luke 13:9

And if it bear fruit, [well]: and if not, [then] after that thou shalt cut it down.