Hosea 9:5

KJV

What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?

KJV (with Strong's)

What will ye do {H6213} in the solemn {H4150} day {H3117}, and in the day {H3117} of the feast {H2282} of the LORD {H3068}?

Complete Jewish Bible

What will you do at a designated time, on a day which is a festival for ADONAI?

Berean Standard Bible

What will you do on the appointed day, on the day of the LORD’s feast?

American Standard Version

What will ye do in the day of solemn assembly, and in the day of the feast of Jehovah?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 9:5 is a poignant rhetorical question posed to the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim), highlighting the profound despair and helplessness they would experience in exile. It underscores the severe consequences of their spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry, prophesying a future where they would be unable to observe the sacred festivals and solemn assemblies that were central to their covenant relationship with the LORD, thereby losing a fundamental expression of their identity and connection to God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 9 is situated within a broader prophetic indictment against Israel for their spiritual adultery, specifically their worship of Baal and reliance on foreign alliances instead of the LORD. The preceding verses in chapter 9 detail the impending judgment: Israel will not remain in the LORD's land, they will return to Egypt and Assyria, and their sacrifices will not be pleasing to God. The immediate context (Hosea 9:1-4) speaks of their inability to rejoice, their defiled sacrifices, and their forced migration from the land, which was intrinsically linked to their ability to worship God. Verse 5 then acts as a climactic rhetorical question, emphasizing the ultimate consequence of this exile: the cessation of their most cherished religious practices. It sets the stage for further descriptions of their desolation and punishment in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During Hosea's ministry (8th century BCE), the Northern Kingdom of Israel was in a state of severe spiritual and moral decline. They had embraced syncretistic worship, blending the worship of Yahweh with Canaanite Baal worship, and had engaged in unstable political alliances, particularly with Assyria and Egypt, rather than trusting in God. The "solemn day" and "feast of the LORD" refer to the divinely ordained festivals (e.g., Passover, Weeks, Tabernacles) commanded in the Mosaic Law, which required pilgrimage to Jerusalem and communal worship. These feasts were not merely religious rituals but were deeply interwoven with Israel's national identity, agricultural cycles, and covenant relationship with God. Being removed from the Promised Land, where these feasts were to be celebrated, meant a complete disruption of their religious life and a profound sense of alienation from God's presence and promises, as the temple and its rituals were tied to the land.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Hosea and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights the **consequences of covenant unfaithfulness**, demonstrating that persistent rebellion against God inevitably leads to a loss of spiritual privileges and the ability to properly worship Him. The rhetorical question also underscores the theme of **God's sovereign judgment**, as the LORD, who instituted these feasts (see [Leviticus 23](/leviticus/23 "Leviticus 23 - The Appointed Feasts of the LORD")), is also sovereign over their cessation as a form of punishment. Furthermore, it touches upon the **emptiness of ritualism without true devotion**, implying that even if Israel had continued to observe these feasts, their hearts were far from God, making their worship hollow (a theme echoed in [Isaiah 1:11-15](/isaiah/1-11-15 "Isaiah 1:11-15 - God's Disdain for Empty Rituals") and [Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21-24 "Amos 5:21-24 - God Desires Justice, Not Empty Worship")). Finally, the verse evokes a deep sense of **despair and helplessness**, as Israel's future would be devoid of the joy and communion that these festivals were meant to bring, leaving them without recourse or comfort in their time of suffering.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **do (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This primitive root (H6213) is broad in meaning, encompassing actions like "to do or make," "accomplish," "perform," or "observe." In the context of "What will ye do," it implies a state of helplessness or inability to perform the required actions of worship. It highlights the futility of their efforts to maintain their religious identity once God's judgment of exile has come upon them.
* **solemn (Hebrew, _môwʻêd'_):** This word (H4150) refers to an "appointed time or season," specifically a "festival" or "assembly" convened for a definite purpose, often religious. It signifies the divinely ordained gatherings and sacred appointments that marked Israel's calendar and were central to their communal worship and remembrance of God's acts. The loss of these "appointed times" means the dismantling of their entire religious framework.
* **feast (Hebrew, _chag'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to turn around" or "to dance," this word (H2282) specifically denotes a "festival" or "pilgrimage feast." These were the three major annual festivals (Passover, Weeks, Tabernacles) where all Israelite males were commanded to appear before the LORD in Jerusalem. The "feast of the LORD" emphasizes the divine institution and sacred nature of these celebrations, underscoring the severity of their impending inability to observe them.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenantal name of God (H3068), "Jehovah" or "Yahweh," signifying "the self-Existent or Eternal One." Its inclusion here emphasizes that these feasts were not merely human traditions but were established by the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel. Their inability to celebrate the "feast of the LORD" signifies a broken relationship with the very God who established their covenant and identity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"What will ye do":** This is a rhetorical question, not seeking information but emphasizing the utter helplessness and lack of options for the Israelites. It conveys a sense of despair and futility, highlighting that in their impending exile, they will be stripped of the means and context for their traditional worship. There will be no alternative solution or recourse for them.
* **"in the solemn day":** This refers to the specific, divinely appointed times for sacred assemblies and festivals. These were fixed dates on the Israelite calendar, occasions for communal gathering, sacrifice, and remembrance of God's covenant faithfulness. The question implies that when these appointed times arrive, Israel will be in a foreign land, without a temple, without a priesthood, and without the communal context to properly observe them.
* **"and in the day of the feast of the LORD?":** This phrase further specifies the nature of the "solemn day," pointing to the major pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles) that required all Israelite males to appear before the LORD in Jerusalem. The addition of "of the LORD" underscores that these were not merely cultural celebrations but divine ordinances, central to their identity as God's covenant people. The rhetorical question thus highlights the profound spiritual and cultural void that exile would create, severing their connection to their God-given heritage and worship.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 9:5 primarily employs a **Rhetorical Question**, which serves not to elicit an answer but to make a forceful statement about the inevitable and dire consequences of Israel's actions. The question "What will ye do...?" emphasizes the utter helplessness and lack of recourse Israel would face in exile, highlighting the futility of their attempts to maintain their religious practices outside the land of promise and the presence of the temple. There is also a strong element of **Irony** at play; the very celebrations meant to bring joy, communion, and remembrance of God's faithfulness would become a source of anguish and a stark reminder of their broken covenant. Furthermore, the verse uses **Metonymy**, where "solemn day" and "feast of the LORD" stand in for the entire system of covenant worship and the spiritual relationship it represented. The loss of these specific observances symbolizes the complete rupture of their sacred life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 9:5 profoundly illustrates the principle that true worship is inextricably linked to a right relationship with God, and that persistent disobedience leads to a forfeiture of spiritual privileges. The inability to observe the "solemn day" and "feast of the LORD" signifies a spiritual desolation far greater than mere physical displacement; it represents a severance from the very means of grace and communion God had established with His people. This verse serves as a stark warning that outward religious observance, when divorced from inward fidelity and obedience, is ultimately meaningless and unsustainable in the face of divine judgment. It underscores God's holiness and His demand for genuine devotion, not just ritualistic performance.

* [Amos 8:11](/amos/8-11 "Amos 8:11 - A Famine of Hearing the Words of the LORD")
* [Lamentations 1:4](/lamentations/1-4 "Lamentations 1:4 - Zion's Desolation and Unobserved Feasts")
* [Isaiah 1:11](/isaiah/1-11 "Isaiah 1:11 - God's Disdain for Empty Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 9:5 speaks powerfully to believers today, serving as a solemn reminder that our spiritual freedoms and opportunities for worship are precious gifts not to be taken for granted. It challenges us to examine the sincerity of our own worship, ensuring that our participation in church services, sacraments, or personal devotions is not merely an outward performance but flows from a heart genuinely devoted to God. The verse warns against spiritual complacency and the danger of allowing sin or worldly affections to erode our intimate relationship with the Lord, which can lead to a sense of spiritual barrenness or a loss of joy in God's presence. We are called to cherish the privilege of gathering with fellow believers, engaging with God's Word, and participating in the means of grace, recognizing that these are vital for our spiritual health and can be diminished or lost if we drift from our covenant commitments.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my own worship become merely ritualistic, lacking true heart devotion?**
* **What spiritual freedoms or opportunities for communion with God do I currently take for granted?**
* **How does my daily life reflect a genuine desire to honor God, beyond just Sunday observances?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a deeper, more authentic relationship with the LORD, ensuring my "feasts" are truly "of the LORD"?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "solemn day" and "feast of the LORD" in this verse?**

Answer: The "solemn day" (Hebrew, _môwʻêd_) refers to an appointed time or assembly, often specifically for religious festivals or convocations. The "feast of the LORD" (Hebrew, _chag Yᵉhôvâh_) denotes the major pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Weeks, Tabernacles) where all Israelite males were commanded to appear before the LORD in Jerusalem. These were not just cultural events but divinely ordained celebrations central to Israel's covenant identity, their remembrance of God's saving acts, and their communal worship. Their cessation, as prophesied in Hosea 9:5, signifies a profound spiritual and national catastrophe, a complete disruption of their religious life and their relationship with God.

**Why would Israel be unable to observe these feasts in exile?**

Answer: The ability to observe these feasts was intrinsically tied to the land of Israel and the temple in Jerusalem. Many feasts required specific agricultural offerings from the land, and the pilgrimage festivals mandated physical presence in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the temple. In exile, away from their land, their temple, and the established Levitical priesthood, it would be practically impossible for them to fulfill the requirements of these divine commands. More profoundly, their exile itself was a sign of God's judgment and a broken covenant, meaning the very context for joyful celebration and communion with God through these feasts would be absent. The question highlights their utter helplessness and the spiritual desolation that would accompany their physical displacement.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 9:5, with its lament over Israel's inability to observe the "solemn day" and "feast of the LORD" in exile, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament feasts, though temporarily suspended for Israel in exile, were always shadows pointing to the reality found in Christ (as seen in [Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16-17 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Christ is the Substance")). Jesus Himself is the fulfillment of all the feasts: He is our Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice delivers us from sin and death ([1 Corinthians 5:7](/1_corinthians/5-7 "1 Corinthians 5:7 - Christ Our Passover Lamb")); He is the firstfruits of the resurrection, foreshadowed by the Feast of Firstfruits ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ the Firstfruits")); and the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, fulfilling the Feast of Weeks ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Holy Spirit at Pentecost")). Moreover, the New Covenant, established through Christ's blood, transcends geographical limitations and temple rituals, enabling true worship "in spirit and truth" anywhere ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). Believers now participate in an ongoing spiritual feast, celebrating Christ's finished work through the Lord's Supper ([1 Corinthians 10:16](/1_corinthians/10-16 "1 Corinthians 10:16 - The Cup of Blessing and the Bread")), looking forward to the ultimate marriage supper of the Lamb ([Revelation 19:9](/revelation/19-9 "Revelation 19:9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")). Thus, what was lost to Israel in judgment is eternally restored and perfected in Christ, who is the true "solemn day" and "feast of the LORD" for all who believe.

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

Isaiah 10:3

And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation [which] shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?

Jeremiah 5:31

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love [to have it] so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Hosea 2:11

I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.

Joel 1:13

Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.