Hosea 7:10

And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.

And the pride {H1347} of Israel {H3478} testifieth {H6030} to his face {H6440}: and they do not return {H7725} to the LORD {H3068} their God {H430}, nor seek {H1245} him for all this.

The pride of Isra'el testifies in his face, but in spite of all this they haven't returned to ADONAI their God or sought him.

Israel’s arrogance testifies against them, yet they do not return to the LORD their God; despite all this, they do not seek Him.

And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: yet they have not returned unto Jehovah their God, nor sought him, for all this.

Hosea 7:10 is a poignant indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often referred to as Ephraim in Hosea), highlighting their deep-seated spiritual rebellion and refusal to turn back to God. This verse reveals the severity of their condition as their own arrogance became a glaring witness against them.

Context

The prophet Hosea ministered during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, just before the fall of the Northern Kingdom to Assyria. Chapters 7 and 8 particularly expose the nation's spiritual decay, political instability, and reliance on foreign alliances rather than on the LORD. Israel had become like a "cake not turned" (Hosea 7:8), half-baked, inconsistent, and ultimately useless. Despite numerous divine warnings and the consequences of their actions, their pride prevented them from acknowledging their sin and seeking true repentance.

Key Themes

  • Blinding Pride: The central theme is the devastating effect of national pride. This isn't merely self-esteem but an arrogant self-sufficiency and defiance towards God, which made them impervious to divine discipline and prophetic warnings. Their pride was so evident it "testifieth to his face," meaning it was an undeniable, public accusation.
  • Refusal to Repent: Despite their deteriorating state and the clear evidence of God's displeasure, Israel stubbornly refused to "return to the LORD their God, nor seek him." This highlights a profound spiritual blindness and hardened hearts, unwilling to acknowledge their need for divine intervention or correction. Their actions stood in stark contrast to repeated calls for genuine repentance throughout Hosea.
  • Spiritual Apostasy: The verse underscores Israel's deep apostasy. They had abandoned the covenant relationship with the LORD, pursuing idolatry and shifting political allegiances, yet their pride kept them from recognizing the gravity of their unfaithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "pride" here is from the Hebrew ga'on (גָּאוֹן), which can mean majesty or excellence, but in this context, it carries the negative connotation of arrogance, haughtiness, or insolence. It speaks of a self-exaltation that stands in opposition to God's authority.
  • "Testifieth to his face" is a vivid anthropomorphism. It implies that their pride was not hidden; it was so blatant and pervasive that it openly declared their guilt, serving as an undeniable witness against them.
  • "Return" comes from the Hebrew verb shuv (שׁוּב), a crucial prophetic term signifying a turning back, a repentance, a change of direction from sin to God. Israel's failure to shuv was their fatal flaw.
  • "Seek" is baqash (בָּקַשׁ), meaning to earnestly search for, to inquire, to desire. It implies a deep, active pursuit of God, which Israel conspicuously lacked.

Practical Application

Hosea 7:10 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of spiritual pride and stubbornness. For individuals and nations today:

  • Self-Examination: We are called to examine our own hearts for any form of pride that might be blinding us to our faults or hindering our relationship with God. Pride often prevents us from admitting wrong, seeking forgiveness, or accepting correction.
  • Genuine Repentance: The verse emphasizes the critical importance of truly "returning to the LORD" and "seeking Him." This involves more than superficial religious acts; it requires a sincere change of heart and direction.
  • Humility Precedes Grace: As the Bible teaches, pride goes before destruction, but God gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Acknowledging our need for God, rather than relying on our own strength or perceived righteousness, is the path to spiritual health and restoration.
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 5:5

    And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them.

  • Isaiah 9:13

    For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.

  • Amos 4:6

    ¶ And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

  • Amos 4:13

    For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what [is] his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, [is] his name.

  • Hosea 6:1

    ¶ 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.

  • Psalms 53:2

    God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were [any] that did understand, that did seek God.

  • Jeremiah 25:5

    They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:
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