Hosea 4:15
"Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend,.... That is, though the Israelites, the people of the ten tribes, committed adultery, both corporeal and spiritual, in their idolatrous worship, as before observed, to which they had been used ever since the times of Jeroboam the first, and were hardened therein, and from which there were little hopes of reforming them; yet let not the men of Judah be guilty of the same crimes, who have as yet retained the pure worship of God among them; where the house of God is, and the priests of the Lord officiate,

and sacrifices are offered up to him according to his will, and all other parts of religious service are performed: or the whole seems to be directed to Israel, as an exhortation to them, that though they had given into such abominations, yet should be careful not to offend Judah, or cause them to stumble and fall, and become guilty of the same sins, and so be exposed to the same punishment; and which would be an aggravation of Israel's sin, to draw others into it with them: and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven; to worship idols in those places; otherwise it might be lawful to go to them on any civil accounts: Gilgal was upon the borders of the ten tribes, between them and Judah, where Joshua circumcised the Israelites; kept the first passover in the land; and where the ark and tabernacle were for a time; and perhaps for these reasons was chosen for a place of idolatrous worship: Bethaven is the same with Bethel, the name Jacob gave it, signifying the house of God; but when Jeroboam set up one of his calves here, the prophets, by way of contempt, called it Bethaven, the house of iniquity, or the house of an idol; though there was a place called Bethaven near Bethel, and Ai, as Kimchi observes, and as appears from Jos 7:2 , yet Bethel was sometimes so called, as it seems to be here, because of the idolatry in it; and so the Talmudists (u) say, the place called Bethel is now called Bethaven. Now the question is, whether Judah or Israel are here addressed; many interpreters carry it in the former sense, as if the men of Judah were dissuaded from going to these places for worship, when the temple, the proper place of worship, was in their own tribe; but the speech seems rather to be directed to the Israelites, to stop going to these places for worship; for being so near to Judah, they might be the means of ensnaring and drawing them into the same idolatrous practices: nor swear, the Lord liveth; or swear by the living God, so long as they worshipped idols; for it was not well pleasing to God to have his name used by idolaters, or joined with their idols: especially as they meant their idol when they swore by the Lord. (u) T. Hieros Avoda Zara, fol. 43. 1.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (18 words)

H0518 אִם
Definition:

see NöM p. 208, ZMG 1886, p. 739; WAG i. § 367 e)**ᵑ7Onk Jonאִם,ᵑ7Hagאין.1. hypothetical particleif.a.construction(see more fully Dr§ 136-138, 143FriedrichDie Hebr. Condit. sätze 1884): (1) withimperf see NöM p. 208, ZMG 1886, p. 739; WAG i. § 367 e)**ᵑ7Onk Jonאִם,ᵑ7Hagאין.1. hypothetical particleif.a.construction(see more fully Dr§ 136-138, 143FriedrichDie Hebr. Condit. sätze 1884): (1) withimperf

Possible Meanings:
  • mother (semantic_range)
  • mother (semantic_range)
  • dam (semantic_range)
  • point of departure (semantic_range)
  • division (semantic_range)
H2181 זָנָה
Definition:

16,זָָֽנְתָהGenesis 38:343t., etc.;Imperfectיִזְנֶ֯ה(Kt)Ezekiel 23:43;תִּזְנֶהLeviticus 19:294t.;וַתִּ֫זֶןJeremiah 3:8;Ezekiel 23:5;תִּזְנִיHosea 3:3;וַתִּזְנִיJeremiah 3:6(but read probablyוַתִּזְנִי 16,זָָֽנְתָהGenesis 38:343t., etc.;Imperfectיִזְנֶ֯ה(Kt)Ezekiel 23:43;תִּזְנֶהLeviticus 19:294t.;וַתִּ֫זֶןJeremiah 3:8;Ezekiel 23:5;תִּזְנִיHosea 3:3;וַתִּזְנִיJeremiah 3:6(but read probablyוַתִּזְנִי

Possible Meanings:
  • commit fornication (semantic_range)
  • be a harlot (semantic_range)
  • be (semantic_range)
  • act as a harlot (semantic_range)
  • of improper intercourse with foreign nations (semantic_range)
H0859 אַתָּה
Definition:

11,19 #NAME?אַתָּ1 Samuel 24:19;Psalm 6:4;Job 1:10;Ecclesiastes 7:22;Nehemiah 9:6. Appended to a verb for emphasis,Exodus 18:19(twice in verse);1 Samuel 17:56שְׁאַל אַתָּהinquirethou,1 Samuel 20:8;1 S 11,19 #NAME?אַתָּ1 Samuel 24:19;Psalm 6:4;Job 1:10;Ecclesiastes 7:22;Nehemiah 9:6. Appended to a verb for emphasis,Exodus 18:19(twice in verse);1 Samuel 17:56שְׁאַל אַתָּהinquirethou,1 Samuel 20:8;1 S

Possible Meanings:
  • come (semantic_range)
  • come (semantic_range)
  • bring (semantic_range)
  • be brought (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)
H0408 אַל
Definition:

a.(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number;Genesis 15:1and o a.(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number;Genesis 15:1and o

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H0816 אָשַׁם
Definition:

19;Numbers 5:7;אָשֵׁםHabakkuk 1:117t.;אָֽשְׁמָהNumbers 5:6;אָשָׁ֑מְתָּProverbs 30:10;אָשַׁמְתְּEzekiel 22:4;אָשֵׁ֑מוּLeviticus 4:13;ImperfectיֶאְשַׁםHosea 4:1513t.;Infinitive absoluteאָשֹׁםLeviticus 5 19;Numbers 5:7;אָשֵׁםHabakkuk 1:117t.;אָֽשְׁמָהNumbers 5:6;אָשָׁ֑מְתָּProverbs 30:10;אָשַׁמְתְּEzekiel 22:4;אָשֵׁ֑מוּLeviticus 4:13;ImperfectיֶאְשַׁםHosea 4:1513t.;Infinitive absoluteאָשֹׁםLeviticus 5

Possible Meanings:
  • offence (semantic_range)
  • guilt (semantic_range)
  • offence (semantic_range)
  • trespass (semantic_range)
  • fault (semantic_range)
H3063 יְהוּדָה
Definition:

35;Genesis 49:8(q. v. below) as if derived from Hoph`al ofידה=praised, object of praise(onהcompare Hiph`ilאֲהוֺדֶ֑נּוּPsalm 28:7,יְהוֺדֶהNehemiah 11:17), but this dubious; relation toיְהֻד, II.יְהוּדִ 35;Genesis 49:8(q. v. below) as if derived from Hoph`al ofידה=praised, object of praise(onהcompare Hiph`ilאֲהוֺדֶ֑נּוּPsalm 28:7,יְהוֺדֶהNehemiah 11:17), but this dubious; relation toיְהֻד, II.יְהוּדִ

Possible Meanings:
  • Judah (semantic_range)
  • son of Jacob and Leah (semantic_range)
  • tribe (semantic_range)
  • nation (semantic_range)
  • land of Judah (semantic_range)
H0408 אַל
Definition:

a.(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number;Genesis 15:1and o a.(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number;Genesis 15:1and o

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H0935 בּוֹא
Definition:

13+; 3 feminine singularבָּ֫אָהGenesis 15:17+; suffixבָּאַתְנוּPsalm 44:18; 2masculine singularבָּ֫אתָJoshua 13:1+,בָּ֫אתָה2 Samuel 3:7; 2feminine singularבָּאתְGenesis 16:8;Ruth 2:12,וּבָאתְconsecuti 13+; 3 feminine singularבָּ֫אָהGenesis 15:17+; suffixבָּאַתְנוּPsalm 44:18; 2masculine singularבָּ֫אתָJoshua 13:1+,בָּ֫אתָה2 Samuel 3:7; 2feminine singularבָּאתְGenesis 16:8;Ruth 2:12,וּבָאתְconsecuti

Possible Meanings:
  • come in (semantic_range)
  • come (semantic_range)
  • go in (semantic_range)
  • go (semantic_range)
  • come in (semantic_range)
H1537 גִּלְגָּל
Definition:

9, where word-play onroll away, off)— with article exceptJoshua 5:9;Joshua 12:23; —1place east of Jericho, where Israel lay encampedJoshua 4:19,20;Joshua 5:9,10;Joshua 9:6;Joshua 10:7,9;Joshua 14:6com 9, where word-play onroll away, off)— with article exceptJoshua 5:9;Joshua 12:23; —1place east of Jericho, where Israel lay encampedJoshua 4:19,20;Joshua 5:9,10;Joshua 9:6;Joshua 10:7,9;Joshua 14:6com

Possible Meanings:
  • circle (semantic_range)
H0408 אַל
Definition:

a.(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number;Genesis 15:1and o a.(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number;Genesis 15:1and o

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H5927 עָלָה
Definition:

15+; 3 feminine singularעָֽלְתָהGenesis 40:10+;עָלָ֑תָהJeremiah 14:2;1 Samuel 1:22; 2masculine singularעָלִיתָGenesis 49:4+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיַעֲלֶהGenesis 2:6+,יַ֫עַלGenesis 44:33+,ו 15+; 3 feminine singularעָֽלְתָהGenesis 40:10+;עָלָ֑תָהJeremiah 14:2;1 Samuel 1:22; 2masculine singularעָלִיתָGenesis 49:4+, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularיַעֲלֶהGenesis 2:6+,יַ֫עַלGenesis 44:33+,ו

Possible Meanings:
  • matter (semantic_range)
  • affair (semantic_range)
  • occasion (semantic_range)
H1007 בֵּית אָוֶן
Definition:

Frombayithand'aven; house of vanity; Beth- Aven, a place in Palestine -- Beth-aven.see HEBREWbayithsee HEBREW'avenBrown-Driver-Briggsבֵּית אָ֫וֶןproper name, of a location(house of iniquityoridolatry? Frombayithand'aven; house of vanity; Beth- Aven, a place in Palestine -- Beth-aven.see HEBREWbayithsee HEBREW'avenBrown-Driver-Briggsבֵּית אָ֫וֶןproper name, of a location(house of iniquityoridolatry?

Possible Meanings:
  • house of wealth (semantic_range)
  • strength (semantic_range)
H1007 בֵּית אָוֶן
Definition:

Frombayithand'aven; house of vanity; Beth- Aven, a place in Palestine -- Beth-aven.see HEBREWbayithsee HEBREW'avenBrown-Driver-Briggsבֵּית אָ֫וֶןproper name, of a location(house of iniquityoridolatry? Frombayithand'aven; house of vanity; Beth- Aven, a place in Palestine -- Beth-aven.see HEBREWbayithsee HEBREW'avenBrown-Driver-Briggsבֵּית אָ֫וֶןproper name, of a location(house of iniquityoridolatry?

Possible Meanings:
  • house of wealth (semantic_range)
  • strength (semantic_range)
H0408 אַל
Definition:

a.(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number;Genesis 15:1and o a.(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number;Genesis 15:1and o

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H7650 שָׁבַע
Definition:

28KöHast. DB NUMBER, 565RSSemitic i. 166, 2nd ed., 182WeResteArabic Heid. 2, 186); —Qal(according to Thes Rob Ges)Passive participleשְׁבֻעֵי שְׁבֻעוֺתEzekiel 21:28those sworn with(= who have sworn)oat 28KöHast. DB NUMBER, 565RSSemitic i. 166, 2nd ed., 182WeResteArabic Heid. 2, 186); —Qal(according to Thes Rob Ges)Passive participleשְׁבֻעֵי שְׁבֻעוֺתEzekiel 21:28those sworn with(= who have sworn)oat

Possible Meanings:
  • seven (semantic_range)
H2416 חַי
Definition:

Fromchayah; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figurat Fromchayah; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figurat

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)

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

---

Get the daily verse delivered free

Create Free Account

Automatic daily verse emails after signup

← Chapter 4 All Chapters