Hosea 6:7

But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.

But they like men {H120} have transgressed {H5674} the covenant {H1285}: there have they dealt treacherously {H898} against me.

"But they, just like men, have broken the covenant, they have been faithless in dealing with me.

But they, like Adam, have transgressed the covenant; there they were unfaithful to Me.

But they like Adam have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.

Context

Hosea 6:7 is part of a larger lament by God over the spiritual unfaithfulness of Israel (the Northern Kingdom). In the preceding verses (Hosea 6:1-6), the prophet describes Israel's superficial repentance, which God rejects because it lacks genuine understanding or commitment. God desires steadfast love (Hebrew: chesed) and knowledge of Him, rather than mere sacrifices. Against this backdrop of half-hearted devotion, verse 7 starkly reveals the depth of Israel's rebellion, emphasizing their deliberate and fundamental breach of trust with God.

Key Themes

  • Covenant Transgression: The core accusation is Israel's breaking of the covenant. This refers primarily to the Mosaic Covenant established at Mount Sinai, which outlined the terms of their relationship with God. Their failure to obey God's laws, particularly concerning idolatry and social injustice, constituted a profound violation.
  • Human Treachery: The phrase "dealt treacherously against me" highlights the personal nature of Israel's sin. It's not just a breaking of rules, but a betrayal of a sacred relationship, akin to unfaithfulness in a marriage. This underscores God's deep grief over His people's actions.
  • The Adam Analogy: The KJV's "like men" can also be translated "like Adam" (Hebrew: ke'adam). This interpretation suggests that Israel's transgression was a foundational act of disobedience, mirroring Adam's primal sin in the Garden of Eden. Just as Adam broke God's direct command, Israel repeatedly violated the terms of the covenant established with them, demonstrating a deep-seated inclination towards rebellion.

Linguistic Insights

  • "like men" / "like Adam": The Hebrew phrase is ke'adam (כְּאָדָם). While it can mean "like humanity" in a general sense, many scholars interpret it as a specific reference to Adam, the first man. This emphasizes the universal and fundamental nature of sin as a breaking of God's command and trust, starting from the very beginning of humanity.
  • "transgressed the covenant": The Hebrew avar berith (עָבַר בְּרִית) means to "pass over" or "violate" a solemn agreement. It denotes a deliberate act of breaking a binding pact.
  • "dealt treacherously": The verb is bagad (בָּגַד), which signifies acting faithlessly, perfidiously, or betraying trust. It implies a deep breach of loyalty and underscores the personal offense against God. This term is often used in marital contexts to describe unfaithfulness, reinforcing the Hosea's recurring theme of Israel as an unfaithful spouse to God.

Related Scriptures

  • For the theme of covenant breaking and its consequences, see Deuteronomy 29:25.
  • For the broader theological implications of sin entering the world through one man (Adam), consider Romans 5:12.
  • Hosea's own life serves as a living parable of Israel's unfaithfulness; read about his marriage in Hosea 1:2.

Practical Application

Hosea 6:7 serves as a powerful reminder that God desires genuine faithfulness and a deep, personal relationship, not merely outward religious observances. For believers today, this verse challenges us to examine our own hearts:

  • Are we truly committed to God's commands, or do we offer superficial obedience?
  • Do we recognize sin as a personal betrayal of God's love and trust, rather than just a breaking of rules?
  • This verse calls for a return to sincere repentance and a renewed commitment to walk in faithfulness with God, acknowledging His steadfast love even when we are unfaithful (2 Timothy 2:13).
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 8:1

    ¶ [Set] the trumpet to thy mouth. [He shall come] as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.

  • Hosea 5:7

    They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.

  • Job 31:33

    ¶ If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:

  • Jeremiah 9:6

    Thine habitation [is] in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.

  • Genesis 3:11

    ¶ And he said, Who told thee that thou [wast] naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

  • Genesis 3:6

    ¶ And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

  • Ezekiel 16:59

    For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even deal with thee as thou hast done, which hast despised the oath in breaking the covenant.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back