Hosea 7:3

They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.

They make the king {H4428} glad {H8055} with their wickedness {H7451}, and the princes {H8269} with their lies {H3585}.

They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the leaders with their lies.

They delight the king with their evil, and the princes with their lies.

They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.

Context of Hosea 7:3

Hosea 7:3 is part of a prophetic lament detailing the deep spiritual and moral decay within the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) just prior to its conquest and exile by Assyria. The prophet Hosea consistently portrays Israel's unfaithfulness as spiritual adultery, emphasizing their departure from God's covenant. This specific verse highlights the pervasive nature of sin, indicating that corruption had seeped into the highest echelons of society, from the common people up to the royal court.

The chapter paints a picture of a nation consumed by its own desires and political instability, turning to foreign alliances instead of the Lord. The kings mentioned in Hosea's time often gained power through violent coups, lacking divine legitimacy and further contributing to the nation's spiritual decline.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Pervasive Corruption: The verse vividly illustrates a society where wickedness and deceit are not only tolerated but are actively rewarded by those in power. It reveals a broken moral compass where leaders find pleasure in the very sins that are destroying their nation.
  • Corrupt Leadership: It directly indicts the leadership—the "king" and "princes"—for their complicity and even delight in the people's sinful actions. This suggests a systemic issue where the top echelons of power are not upholding justice but are instead fostering an environment of immorality and lies. This theme resonates with Proverbs 29:12, which warns that if a ruler hearkens to lies, all his servants are wicked.
  • Moral Decay: The verse underscores the extensive moral decay of the nation. The people's "wickedness" and "lies" are not hidden but are openly displayed and even celebrated, indicating a profound spiritual blindness and a rejection of God's righteous standards.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "wickedness" (רָשְׁעָה - rasha'ah) denotes active wrongdoing, injustice, and guilt, often associated with a complete disregard for divine law. The term "lies" (כְּזָבִים - kezavim) refers to falsehoods, deception, and the breaking of faith or covenants. This highlights not just individual acts of sin but a culture where truth and righteousness have been abandoned for expediency and self-interest.

Practical Application

Hosea 7:3 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of moral compromise, especially within leadership. For contemporary society, it emphasizes several critical points:

  • Accountability of Leadership: Leaders, whether in government, business, or religious institutions, are called to uphold truth and righteousness. When leaders delight in or condone wickedness and lies, it inevitably leads to the spiritual and societal decline of those they govern.
  • Societal Impact of Corruption: The verse reminds us that corruption is not confined to individuals but can permeate an entire system, from the rulers to the ruled. A society that tolerates or celebrates deceit is on a path to self-destruction.
  • Call for Integrity: It challenges believers to stand for truth and integrity, even when it is unpopular or goes against the prevailing culture. The call for righteousness is constant, echoing throughout Scripture from Psalms 15:4 to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
  • Spiritual Discernment: It encourages vigilance against leaders who may appear popular but are leading people astray with their policies or personal conduct. True leadership aligns with God's character and principles.

This verse from Hosea is a powerful reminder that spiritual health and national well-being are intrinsically linked to the integrity and righteousness of both the people and their leaders.

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.

  • Romans 1:32

    Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

  • Micah 7:3

    That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge [asketh] for a reward; and the great [man], he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

  • Jeremiah 28:1

    ¶ And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, [and] in the fifth month, [that] Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which [was] of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,

  • Jeremiah 28:4

    And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.

  • Hosea 5:11

    Ephraim [is] oppressed [and] broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.

  • Jeremiah 37:19

    Where [are] now your prophets which prophesied unto you, saying, The king of Babylon shall not come against you, nor against this land?

  • 1 Kings 22:13

    And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets [declare] good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak [that which is] good.

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