Hosea 9:7

¶ The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know [it]: the prophet [is] a fool, the spiritual man [is] mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.

The days {H3117} of visitation {H6486} are come {H935}, the days {H3117} of recompence {H7966} are come {H935}; Israel {H3478} shall know {H3045} it: the prophet {H5030} is a fool {H191}, the spiritual {H7307} man {H376} is mad {H7696}, for the multitude {H7230} of thine iniquity {H5771}, and the great {H7227} hatred {H4895}.

The days of punishment have come, the days of retribution are here, and Isra'el knows it. [Yet they cry,] "The prophet is a fool, the man of the spirit has gone crazy!" Because your iniquity is so great, the hostility [against you] is great.

The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived— let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility.

The days of visitation are come, the days of recompense are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the man that hath the spirit is mad, for the abundance of thine iniquity, and because the enmity is great.

Context of Hosea 9:7

Hosea, a prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel (also called Ephraim), delivers stern warnings of impending judgment during a period of spiritual decline and political instability. The people had largely abandoned the covenant with God, embracing idolatry and seeking alliances with foreign nations rather than trusting in the Lord. This verse comes as part of a lament and prophecy detailing the severe consequences of their unfaithfulness, immediately preceding pronouncements of exile and destruction.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Recompence: The verse powerfully declares that "The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come." This signifies a specific time appointed by God for reckoning, where Israel will face the direct consequences of their actions. The term "visitation" (Hebrew: p'quddah) here refers to a divine inspection leading to punishment, and "recompence" (Hebrew: shillum) emphasizes the payment or requital for their deeds. This highlights God's justice in upholding His covenant, as also seen in Isaiah 1:28 regarding the fate of transgressors.
  • Rejection of God's Messengers: Israel's spiritual blindness and hostility towards divine truth are starkly portrayed. The people mock God's true prophets, declaring "the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad." This reflects their deep-seated rejection of inconvenient truths and their preference for false security. Such scorn for God's spokesmen was a recurring theme, as exemplified by the prophet Jeremiah's experiences of being mocked and persecuted (see Jeremiah 20:7).
  • Consequences of Iniquity and Hatred: The reason for the impending judgment is explicitly stated: "for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred." This "hatred" is not merely towards the prophets, but fundamentally a hatred for God's law, His ways, and His covenant. Their rampant sin and animosity towards divine authority have accumulated, leading inevitably to this day of reckoning. This underscores the biblical principle that the wages of sin is death.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "spiritual man" (Hebrew: ish haruach) refers to someone who speaks under divine inspiration, a true prophet. The people, however, in their depravity, viewed such genuine inspiration as madness, contrasting it with the comforting lies of false prophets or their own deluded spiritual perceptions. This reveals a profound spiritual distortion within the nation.

Practical Application

Hosea 9:7 serves as a timeless warning. It reminds us that:

  • Sin has Consequences: God is just, and there will be a day of reckoning for unrepentant sin and rebellion.
  • Truth Can Be Unpopular: Those who faithfully declare God's truth may be ridiculed or dismissed as irrational by a world that prefers to live in spiritual darkness. We must cultivate a heart open to God's Word, even when it challenges our comfort or convictions.
  • Discerning Spirit: It is crucial to discern between true and false prophecy, and to recognize when our own "hatred" or aversion to God's commands blinds us to His divine warnings.
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.

  • Acts 26:24

    ¶ And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

  • Acts 26:25

    But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

  • Micah 7:4

    The best of them [is] as a brier: the most upright [is sharper] than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen [and] thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.

  • 2 Kings 9:11

    ¶ Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and [one] said unto him, [Is] all well? wherefore came this mad [fellow] to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication.

  • Mark 3:21

    And when his friends heard [of it], they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

  • Ezekiel 13:3

    Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

  • Ezekiel 14:9

    And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

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