Hosea 6:5

KJV

Therefore have I hewed [them] by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments [are as] the light [that] goeth forth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore have I hewed {H2672} them by the prophets {H5030}; I have slain {H2026} them by the words {H561} of my mouth {H6310}: and thy judgments {H4941} are as the light {H216} that goeth forth {H3318}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is why I have cut them to pieces by the prophets, slaughtered them with the words from my mouth - the judgment on you shines out like light.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning.

American Standard Version

Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 6:5 powerfully articulates God's severe yet righteous dealings with His people, Israel, through the agency of His prophets and the potent declarations of His own mouth. It underscores that divine judgment is not arbitrary or obscure, but rather a clear, public, and unavoidable reality, shining forth like the dawn to expose sin and demand accountability. This verse highlights God's active role in disciplining His covenant people, revealing the gravity of their persistent unfaithfulness and the ultimate clarity of His justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows God's lament over Israel's fleeting devotion in [Hosea 6:4](/hosea/6-4 "Hosea 6:4 - Israel's Fleeting Love"), which serves as a divine counterpoint to the people's superficial and short-lived repentance expressed in [Hosea 6:1-3](/hosea/6-1 "A Superficial Call to Return"). The people's 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," (as seen in [Hosea 6:1](/hosea/6-1 "Hosea 6:1 - Call to Return")) is quickly exposed as lacking true depth. God's response in [Hosea 6:4](/hosea/6-4 "God's Disappointment") reveals His frustration with their love, which is "as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away." Therefore, [Hosea 6:5](/hosea/6-5 "Hosea 6:5 - God's Judgment Declared") explains *why* God has taken such drastic measures—the "hewing" and "slaying"—because their spiritual instability and lack of genuine knowledge of God necessitated severe prophetic confrontation and judicial pronouncements. This verse sets the stage for God's preference for mercy over sacrifice in [Hosea 6:6](/hosea/6-6 "Mercy, Not Sacrifice").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hosea prophesied during a turbulent period in the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim), roughly from 750-715 BC, leading up to its fall to Assyria in 722 BC. This era was marked by political instability, idolatry, moral decay, and a superficial adherence to religious rituals without true heart devotion. The people engaged in syncretistic worship, blending the worship of Yahweh with Baal, and pursued alliances with foreign powers rather than trusting in God. The prophets, like Hosea, served as God's primary messengers, delivering His covenant lawsuits, warnings, and calls to repentance. Their messages were often harsh, designed to "cut" through the nation's spiritual complacency and expose their deep-seated rebellion, much like a mason hews stone. The concept of divine judgment "going forth as light" would have resonated with the Israelite understanding of God's justice being publicly revealed and inescapable, much like the sun rising each day.
* **Key Themes:** [Hosea 6:5](/hosea/6-5 "Hosea 6:5 - God's Judgment Declared") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Hosea and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it emphasizes **God's Sovereign Authority and Active Judgment**. God is not a passive observer but an engaged, righteous judge who directly intervenes in the affairs of His people to confront their sin. Secondly, the verse highlights **The Power and Efficacy of God's Word**. The "words of my mouth" are depicted as having lethal power, demonstrating that divine pronouncements are not mere suggestions but authoritative decrees that bring about their intended effect, whether life or death, blessing or judgment (cf. [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")). Thirdly, it underscores **Prophetic Ministry as God's Instrument of Discipline**. The prophets were God's chosen agents to deliver His "hewing" messages, acting as divine instruments to shape, refine, or break the nation's hardened heart, preparing them for either repentance or judgment. Finally, the imagery of "judgments as the light that goeth forth" reinforces the theme of the **Clarity and Inevitability of Divine Justice**, asserting that God's righteous decrees are not hidden but are manifest, undeniable, and pervasive, exposing all things in their light (cf. [John 3:19-21](/john/3-19 "Light and Darkness")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hewed (Hebrew, _châtsab'_):** This term (H2672) literally means "to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave." In this context, it vividly portrays God's prophetic messages as sharp, penetrating instruments designed to cut into the hardened hearts of Israel, much like a quarryman cuts stone. It implies a forceful, precise, and often painful process of shaping, breaking apart, or preparing for judgment. The prophets' words were not gentle suggestions but divine tools intended to break the nation's spiritual complacency and idolatry.
* **Slain (Hebrew, _hârag'_):** The verb (H2026) means "to smite with deadly intent; destroy, out of hand, kill, murder, put to (death), make (slaughter)." While it often denotes physical death, here, in conjunction with "the words of my mouth," it signifies the devastating spiritual, judicial, and existential consequences of God's pronounced judgment. The rejection of God's authoritative word leads to a spiritual death, a judicial condemnation, or a state of being cut off from divine favor that is as final and impactful as physical demise. It underscores the life-and-death stakes involved in responding to God's revelation.
* **Judgments (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** This noun (H4941) refers to "a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective)." It encompasses acts of justice, righteous decrees, ordinances, or legal decisions. In Hosea 6:5, "thy judgments" refers to God's righteous decrees and the just consequences He brings upon Israel due to their unfaithfulness. These are not arbitrary actions but are rooted in His unchanging character, covenant faithfulness, and divine law, serving to uphold righteousness and expose sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets;":** This clause reveals God's active and deliberate method of confronting Israel's sin. The "hewing" signifies a severe, cutting, and shaping work, implying that the messages delivered by the prophets were sharp, incisive, and designed to penetrate the nation's spiritual hardness and idolatry. The prophets were God's instruments, delivering His authoritative word to expose, convict, and call to repentance, even if it meant a painful process of breaking down their false securities.
* **"I have slain them by the words of my mouth:":** This powerful statement emphasizes the ultimate authority and destructive power inherent in God's direct pronouncements. Beyond the prophetic agency, God Himself, through His spoken word, executes a form of "slaying"—a spiritual or judicial condemnation that brings about devastating consequences. It signifies that God's word, when rejected, becomes an instrument of death, leading to spiritual alienation, judicial punishment, and the severe loss of divine favor.
* **"and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.":** This final clause uses a vivid simile to describe the nature of God's judgments. "Thy judgments" refers to God's righteous decrees and the just consequences that inevitably follow. The comparison to "light that goeth forth" (Hebrew: _'ôwr yâtsâ'_) emphasizes several qualities: clarity (they are not hidden), public manifestation (they are visible to all), inevitability (like the rising sun, they cannot be stopped), and pervasive reach (they spread universally). God's justice is not obscure or delayed; it will be fully revealed and cannot be avoided, illuminating truth and exposing all darkness.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 6:5 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its message. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in God's declaration, "I have hewed them" and "I have slain them by the words of my mouth," attributing human-like actions (hewing, slaying, speaking) to God to make His direct and forceful involvement understandable. The phrase "hewed them by the prophets" also uses **Metonymy**, where "prophets" stand in for the messages they delivered, as it was the content of their prophecies that did the "hewing." The most striking device is the **Simile** in "thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth." This comparison powerfully illustrates the attributes of God's justice: its clarity, public nature, inevitability, and pervasive reach. The imagery of light also carries **Symbolism**, representing truth, revelation, and the exposure of darkness, implying that God's judgments bring everything into the open, leaving no room for concealment. The entire verse functions as a form of **Divine Speech Act**, where God's words are not merely descriptive but performative, bringing about the very reality they declare.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 6:5 profoundly underscores the active nature of God's justice and the weight of His word. It reveals a God who is deeply invested in the spiritual state of His people, not passively observing their unfaithfulness but actively engaging them through His appointed messengers and direct pronouncements. This divine discipline, though severe, is always rooted in righteousness and covenant faithfulness, aiming to bring about either genuine repentance or righteous judgment. The clarity and inevitability of God's judgments serve as a stark warning that superficial piety is insufficient and that true knowledge of God, characterized by steadfast love and obedience, is what He truly desires.

* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God is Living and Active")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Judgment and Light")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 6:5 serves as a profound and sobering reminder for believers today. It calls us to take the Word of God with utmost seriousness, recognizing that it is not merely a collection of ancient texts but a living, active, and powerful instrument in the hands of the Almighty. Just as God "hewed" Israel through His prophets, His word continues to cut through our complacency, expose our hidden motives, and challenge our superficial faith. We are reminded that God's justice is not a distant or abstract concept, but a clear and unavoidable reality that "goes forth like light," revealing truth and demanding a response. This verse compels us to move beyond outward religious observance to cultivate a genuine, heartfelt knowledge of God and a steadfast love for Him, understanding that true repentance is not a fleeting emotion but a profound transformation. It urges us to embrace the light of God's truth, allowing it to illuminate our lives and guide us into deeper obedience, rather than resisting it to our own peril.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might God be "hewing" me through His Word or through the words of His faithful messengers today?**
* **How seriously do I take the warnings and judgments pronounced in Scripture, and do I believe God's word has the power to "slay" or bring spiritual death if unheeded?**
* **Do I truly believe that God's judgments are as clear and inevitable "as the light that goeth forth," and how does that belief shape my daily walk and choices?**
* **Am I pursuing a superficial knowledge of God, or am I seeking a deep, transformative relationship characterized by steadfast love and genuine repentance?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that God "hewed them by the prophets" and "slain them by the words of my mouth"?**

Answer: This imagery speaks to the severe and impactful nature of God's divine discipline and judgment. To "hew" (Hebrew: *châtsab*) means to cut or quarry stone, implying that the prophets' messages were sharp, incisive, and designed to break down the hardened hearts and false securities of Israel, much like a mason shapes stone. It's a painful but necessary process of confrontation. To be "slain" (Hebrew: *hârag*) by the words of God's mouth signifies the devastating spiritual and judicial consequences of rejecting divine truth. It's not necessarily physical death, but a judicial condemnation or spiritual separation that is as final and impactful as death, demonstrating the ultimate authority and power of God's pronouncements (see [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")).

**How are God's "judgments as the light that goeth forth"?**

Answer: This powerful simile emphasizes the clarity, public nature, and inevitability of God's justice. Just as light dispels darkness and cannot be hidden, so God's righteous decrees and the consequences of sin are not obscure or delayed. They are manifest, undeniable, and pervasive, illuminating truth and exposing all things. This means that divine judgment is not arbitrary but is clearly revealed and will ultimately be enacted, leaving no room for escape or denial. It highlights God's transparency and unwavering commitment to righteousness (compare with [John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Light and Judgment")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Hosea 6:5 speaks of God's severe judgment upon Israel through the prophets and His word, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who embodies both the "hewing" truth and the "light" of God's judgment and salvation. Jesus himself is the living Word of God (as seen in [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")), who came to "hew" hearts not with condemnation but with the sharp truth that exposes sin and calls for repentance (as described in [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God is Living and Active")). His words, though full of grace, were also piercing, confronting hypocrisy and demanding genuine transformation (see [Matthew 23:13-36](/matthew/23-13 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Furthermore, Jesus is the "light of the world" (as declared in [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), and His coming reveals God's judgments in their ultimate clarity. For those who believe, this light brings salvation and life (as promised in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")); for those who reject Him, the light itself becomes the basis for their condemnation, as their deeds are exposed by its brilliance (as explained in [John 3:19](/john/3-19 "Light and Judgment")). Thus, Christ fully embodies the prophetic voice that "hews" and the divine Word that brings both life and judgment, making God's righteous decrees perfectly manifest.

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

Jeremiah 23:29

[Is] not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer [that] breaketh the rock in pieces?

Jeremiah 1:10

See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

Jeremiah 5:14

Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Romans 2:5

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Isaiah 11:4

But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

Genesis 18:25

That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?