Hosea 4:1
"Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land."

Commentary

Matthew Henry Concise

📖

Summary

Hosea reproves for immorality, as well as idolatry. There was no truth, mercy, or knowledge of God in the land: it was full of murders, 2 Kings 21:16.

Reflection

Therefore calamities were near, which would desolate the country. Our sins, as separate persons, as a family, as a neighbourhood, as a nation, cause the Lord to have a controversy

with us; let us submit and humble ourselves before Him, that he may not go on to destroy.

📚Read Complete Commentary

Hosea reproves for immorality, as well as idolatry. There was no truth, mercy, or knowledge of God in the land: it was full of murders, 2 Kings 21:16. Therefore calamities

were near, which would desolate the country. Our sins, as separate persons, as a family, as a neighbourhood, as a nation, cause the Lord to have a controversy with us; let us submit and humble ourselves before Him, that he may not go on to destroy.

Source: Matthew Henry Concise (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (20 words)

H8085 שָׁמַע
Definition:

52+,שָׁמֵ֑עַJeremiah 36:133t.; 2 feminine singularשָׁמַ֫עַתְּ1 Kings 1:112t.; 3 pluralשָׁמֵ֑עוּJudges 2:17+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשְׁמַעExodus 6:30+, 1 singular cohortativeאֶשְׁמְעָהNumb 52+,שָׁמֵ֑עַJeremiah 36:133t.; 2 feminine singularשָׁמַ֫עַתְּ1 Kings 1:112t.; 3 pluralשָׁמֵ֑עוּJudges 2:17+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיִשְׁמַעExodus 6:30+, 1 singular cohortativeאֶשְׁמְעָהNumb

Possible Meanings:
  • hear (semantic_range)
  • hear (semantic_range)
  • have sense of hearing (semantic_range)
  • shew oneself obedient (semantic_range)
H1697 דָבָר
Definition:

14446t.; constructדְּבַרGenesis 12:17361t.; suffixדְּבָרִיNumbers 11:23+ (suffixes 66 t.); singular in all 875 t.; pluralדְּבָרִיםExodus 4:10182t.; constructדִּבְרֵיGenesis 24:30253t.; suffixדְּבָרָיו 14446t.; constructדְּבַרGenesis 12:17361t.; suffixדְּבָרִיNumbers 11:23+ (suffixes 66 t.); singular in all 875 t.; pluralדְּבָרִיםExodus 4:10182t.; constructדִּבְרֵיGenesis 24:30253t.; suffixדְּבָרָיו

Possible Meanings:
  • speaking (semantic_range)
H3068 יְהוָֹה
Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:
  • Yahweh (semantic_range)
  • the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
  • life-giver (semantic_range)
H1121 בֵּן
Definition:

25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16 25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16

Possible Meanings:
  • son (semantic_range)
  • son (semantic_range)
  • children (semantic_range)
  • youth (semantic_range)
  • young men (semantic_range)
H3478 יִשְׂרָאֵל
Definition:

16(Hpt); MI5, + 5 t.ישראל; in EgyptianY-si-r-'lSteindZAW xvi (1896), 331, compare BreastedBib. World ix (1897), 62 ff.PatonSyr. and Pal. 134; AssyrianSir-'-lai(=יִשְׂרְאֵלִי) SchrKG 356 ff., 364; COTG 16(Hpt); MI5, + 5 t.ישראל; in EgyptianY-si-r-'lSteindZAW xvi (1896), 331, compare BreastedBib. World ix (1897), 62 ff.PatonSyr. and Pal. 134; AssyrianSir-'-lai(=יִשְׂרְאֵלִי) SchrKG 356 ff., 364; COTG

Possible Meanings:
  • Israel (semantic_range)
H3588 כִּי
Definition:

Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic, Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic,

Possible Meanings:
  • for (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
H7379 רִיב
Definition:

23strife, dispute; — absolute׳רGenesis 13:7+,רִבExodus 23:2+; constructרִיבExodus 17:7+; suffixרִיבִי1 Samuel 24:16+,בְּרִבָםJob 31:13(or infinitive?), etc.; pluralרִיבֹתDeuteronomy 17:8; constructרִי 23strife, dispute; — absolute׳רGenesis 13:7+,רִבExodus 23:2+; constructרִיבExodus 17:7+; suffixרִיבִי1 Samuel 24:16+,בְּרִבָםJob 31:13(or infinitive?), etc.; pluralרִיבֹתDeuteronomy 17:8; constructרִי

H3068 יְהוָֹה
Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:
  • Yahweh (semantic_range)
  • the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
  • life-giver (semantic_range)
H5973 עִם
Definition:

compare √ענד), without difference of meaning (עמיin PentateuchGenesis 31:31;Genesis 39:7,12,14;Exodus 33:12;Leviticus 26:21,23,27,40 [H]Numbers 22:19; Joshua-Kings 13 t.;Psalm 42:9;Psalm 86:17;Job 10: compare √ענד), without difference of meaning (עמיin PentateuchGenesis 31:31;Genesis 39:7,12,14;Exodus 33:12;Leviticus 26:21,23,27,40 [H]Numbers 22:19; Joshua-Kings 13 t.;Psalm 42:9;Psalm 86:17;Job 10:

H3427 יָשַׁב
Definition:

8,19וישב,Judges 1:13ואשב,dwell; Phoenicianישבdwell; ZinjirliישבsitDHMSendsch. 58; Assyrianašâbu,sit,dwell, DlHWB 244; Arabicleap, jump, Himyer. dialectsit, Lane2919; EthiopicII. 1secum cohabitare face 8,19וישב,Judges 1:13ואשב,dwell; Phoenicianישבdwell; ZinjirliישבsitDHMSendsch. 58; Assyrianašâbu,sit,dwell, DlHWB 244; Arabicleap, jump, Himyer. dialectsit, Lane2919; EthiopicII. 1secum cohabitare face

Possible Meanings:
  • remain (semantic_range)
H0776 אֶרֶץ
Definition:

11& (seldom)masculineGenesis 13:16earth, land(Phoenician, MIארץ, AssyrianirƒituCOTGloss, Arabic, Sabeanארץֿe.g. Os9DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaicאֲרַע,) 11& (seldom)masculineGenesis 13:16earth, land(Phoenician, MIארץ, AssyrianirƒituCOTGloss, Arabic, Sabeanארץֿe.g. Os9DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaicאֲרַע,)

H3588 כִּי
Definition:

Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic, Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic,

Possible Meanings:
  • for (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
H0369 אַיִן
Definition:

23הַנּוֺתֵןרוֺזְנִים לְאָ֑יִןwho bringeth princesto nothing;כְּאַיִןas nothing, ib.Isaiah 40:17;Isaiah 41:11,12;Haggai 2:3;Psalm 39:6;almost(""כִּמְעַט)Psalm 73:2;מֵאַיִןof nothingIsaiah 41:24.2constr 23הַנּוֺתֵןרוֺזְנִים לְאָ֑יִןwho bringeth princesto nothing;כְּאַיִןas nothing, ib.Isaiah 40:17;Isaiah 41:11,12;Haggai 2:3;Psalm 39:6;almost(""כִּמְעַט)Psalm 73:2;מֵאַיִןof nothingIsaiah 41:24.2constr

Possible Meanings:
  • nought (semantic_range)
  • is not (semantic_range)
H0571 אֶמֶת
Definition:

48106t.; suffixאֲמִתּוֺ,אֲמִתְּךָPsalm 91:418t.1reliability, sureness:דֶּרֶח אֱמֶתsure wayGenesis 24:48(J);שׂכראמתsure rewardProverbs 11:18;אות אמתsure tokenJoshua 2:12(J);זֶרַע אמתJeremiah 2:21.2stab 48106t.; suffixאֲמִתּוֺ,אֲמִתְּךָPsalm 91:418t.1reliability, sureness:דֶּרֶח אֱמֶתsure wayGenesis 24:48(J);שׂכראמתsure rewardProverbs 11:18;אות אמתsure tokenJoshua 2:12(J);זֶרַע אמתJeremiah 2:21.2stab

Possible Meanings:
  • firmness (semantic_range)
  • faithfulness (semantic_range)
  • stability (semantic_range)
H0369 אַיִן
Definition:

23הַנּוֺתֵןרוֺזְנִים לְאָ֑יִןwho bringeth princesto nothing;כְּאַיִןas nothing, ib.Isaiah 40:17;Isaiah 41:11,12;Haggai 2:3;Psalm 39:6;almost(""כִּמְעַט)Psalm 73:2;מֵאַיִןof nothingIsaiah 41:24.2constr 23הַנּוֺתֵןרוֺזְנִים לְאָ֑יִןwho bringeth princesto nothing;כְּאַיִןas nothing, ib.Isaiah 40:17;Isaiah 41:11,12;Haggai 2:3;Psalm 39:6;almost(""כִּמְעַט)Psalm 73:2;מֵאַיִןof nothingIsaiah 41:24.2constr

Possible Meanings:
  • nought (semantic_range)
  • is not (semantic_range)
H2617 חֵסֵד
Definition:

Fromchacad; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety: rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) Beauty -- favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-)kindness, merciful (kindness), mer Fromchacad; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety: rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) Beauty -- favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-)kindness, merciful (kindness), mer

Possible Meanings:
  • shame (semantic_range)
  • reproach (semantic_range)
H0369 אַיִן
Definition:

23הַנּוֺתֵןרוֺזְנִים לְאָ֑יִןwho bringeth princesto nothing;כְּאַיִןas nothing, ib.Isaiah 40:17;Isaiah 41:11,12;Haggai 2:3;Psalm 39:6;almost(""כִּמְעַט)Psalm 73:2;מֵאַיִןof nothingIsaiah 41:24.2constr 23הַנּוֺתֵןרוֺזְנִים לְאָ֑יִןwho bringeth princesto nothing;כְּאַיִןas nothing, ib.Isaiah 40:17;Isaiah 41:11,12;Haggai 2:3;Psalm 39:6;almost(""כִּמְעַט)Psalm 73:2;מֵאַיִןof nothingIsaiah 41:24.2constr

Possible Meanings:
  • nought (semantic_range)
  • is not (semantic_range)
H1847 דַּעַת
Definition:

6Daniel 12:4(masculineProverbs 2:10;Proverbs 14:6, possiblyJob 33:3Ew§174 g)knowledge(properly Infinitive, which appears clearlyGenesis 2:9,17;Jeremiah 22:16) — absoluteדַּ֫עַתGenesis 2:935t.;דָּ֑עַתJ 6Daniel 12:4(masculineProverbs 2:10;Proverbs 14:6, possiblyJob 33:3Ew§174 g)knowledge(properly Infinitive, which appears clearlyGenesis 2:9,17;Jeremiah 22:16) — absoluteדַּ֫עַתGenesis 2:935t.;דָּ֑עַתJ

Possible Meanings:
  • perception (semantic_range)
  • skill (semantic_range)
H0430 אֱלהִים
Definition:

33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power 33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

Possible Meanings:
  • divine ones (semantic_range)
  • angels (semantic_range)
  • gods (semantic_range)
H0776 אֶרֶץ
Definition:

11& (seldom)masculineGenesis 13:16earth, land(Phoenician, MIארץ, AssyrianirƒituCOTGloss, Arabic, Sabeanארץֿe.g. Os9DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaicאֲרַע,) 11& (seldom)masculineGenesis 13:16earth, land(Phoenician, MIארץ, AssyrianirƒituCOTGloss, Arabic, Sabeanארץֿe.g. Os9DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaicאֲרַע,)

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