Hosea 4:9
Hosea 4:9 in Multiple Translations
And it shall be like people, like priest. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.
And it shall be, like people, like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and will requite them their doings.
And the priest will be like the people; I will give them punishment for their evil ways, and the reward of their acts.
So it will be for the people like the priests: I will punish them for what they have done, repaying them for their actions.
And there shalbe like people, like Priest: for I wil visite their wayes vpon them, and reward them their deedes.
And it hath been, like people, like priest, And I have charged on it its ways, And its habitual doings I return to it.
It will be like people, like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and will repay them for their deeds.
And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.
And there shall be like people like priest: and I will visit their ways upon them, and I will repay them their devices.
The priests are as sinful as the other people, and I will punish all of them for what they have done; I will pay them back for the evil things that they have done.
Berean Amplified Bible — Hosea 4:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Hosea 4:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הָיָ֥ה
כָ/עָ֖ם
כַּ/כֹּהֵ֑ן
וּ/פָקַדְתִּ֤י
עָלָי/ו֙
דְּרָכָ֔י/ו
וּ/מַעֲלָלָ֖י/ו
אָשִׁ֥יב
לֽ/וֹ
וְ/הָיָ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
כָ/עָ֖ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Prep | N-ms
כַּ/כֹּהֵ֑ן
kôhên
H3548
priest
Prep | N-ms
וּ/פָקַדְתִּ֤י
pâqad
H6485
to reckon
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
עָלָי/ו֙
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
דְּרָכָ֔י/ו
derek
H1870
way
N-cp | Suff
וּ/מַעֲלָלָ֖י/ו
maʻălâl
H4611
deed
Conj | N-mp | Suff
אָשִׁ֥יב
shûwb
H7725
to return
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
לֽ/וֹ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Hosea 4:9
וְ/הָיָ֥ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
כָ/עָ֖ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Prep | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
כַּ/כֹּהֵ֑ן
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
וּ/פָקַדְתִּ֤י
pâqad
H6485
"to reckon"
Conj | V-Qal-1cs
This word means to visit or oversee, and can imply a range of actions, from friendly to hostile. It is used in various contexts, including appointing, avenging, or delivering something into someone's care. The KJV translates it in many ways, including appoint, avenge, or commit.
Definition: : list/count 1) to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pay attention to, observe 1a2) to attend to 1a3) to seek, look about for 1a4) to seek in vain, need, miss, lack 1a5) to visit 1a6) to visit upon, punish 1a7) to pass in review, muster, number 1a8) to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sought, be needed, be missed, be lacking 1b2) to be visited 1b3) to be visited upon 1b4) to be appointed 1b5) to be watched over 1c) (Piel) to muster, call up 1d) (Pual) to be passed in review, be caused to miss, be called, be called to account 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set over, make overseer, appoint an overseer 1e2) to commit, entrust, commit for care, deposit 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be visited 1f2) to be deposited 1f3) to be made overseer, be entrusted 1g) (Hithpael) numbered 1h) (Hothpael) numbered
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. See also: Genesis 21:1; Numbers 26:47; Psalms 8:5.
עָלָי/ו֙
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
דְּרָכָ֔י/ו
derek
H1870
"way"
N-cp | Suff
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
וּ/מַעֲלָלָ֖י/ו
maʻălâl
H4611
"deed"
Conj | N-mp | Suff
Maalal means a deed or act, which can be good or bad, such as a practice or invention. It is used in the Bible to describe human actions and their consequences. This term is found in various biblical contexts.
Definition: 1) deed, practice 1a) practice (usually bad) 1b) deeds 1c) acts
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: doing, endeavour, invention, work. See also: Deuteronomy 28:20; Jeremiah 21:12; Psalms 28:4.
אָשִׁ֥יב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
לֽ/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Hosea 4:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Hosea 4:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Hosea 4:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hosea 4:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hosea 4:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Hosea 4:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Hosea 4:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hosea 4:9
- Cambridge Bible on Hosea 4:9
- Barnes' Notes on Hosea 4:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Hosea 4:9
- Sermons on Hosea 4:9
Context — God’s Case against His People
7The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace.
8They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity.
9And it shall be like people, like priest. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
10They will eat but not be satisfied; they will be promiscuous but not multiply. For they have abandoned the LORD to give themselves 11to promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which take away understanding.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 24:2 | people and priest alike, servant and master, maid and mistress, buyer and seller, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 5:31 | The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end? |
| 3 | Matthew 15:14 | Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” |
| 4 | Zechariah 1:6 | But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers? They repented and said, ‘Just as the LORD of Hosts purposed to do to us according to our ways and deeds, so He has done to us.’” |
| 5 | Isaiah 3:10 | Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. |
| 6 | Hosea 1:4 | Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel, for soon I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. |
| 7 | Hosea 9:9 | They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins. |
| 8 | Isaiah 9:14–16 | So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day. The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies. For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up. |
| 9 | Ezekiel 22:26–31 | Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken. The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice. I searched for a man among them to repair the wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, so that I should not destroy it. But I found no one. So I have poured out My indignation upon them and consumed them with the fire of My fury. I have brought their ways down upon their own heads, declares the Lord GOD.” |
| 10 | Jeremiah 8:10–12 | Therefore I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of the daughter of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace at all. Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse, says the LORD. |
Hosea 4:9 Summary
This verse, Hosea 4:9, means that God will judge both the spiritual leaders and the people for their sinful actions. It's like when a parent expects their child to behave and follow the rules, and when they don't, there are consequences. God is a holy and just God who hates sin, and He will punish those who disobey Him, as seen in Psalms 11:5. We can learn from this verse by examining our own hearts and actions, and seeking to follow God's ways, just like it says in Proverbs 10:9.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when God says He will punish the people and the priests in the same way?
This means that God holds both the spiritual leaders and the people accountable for their actions, and He will judge them accordingly, as seen in Ezekiel 22:6 and Ezekiel 34:1-10.
How does the punishment for the priests and the people reflect God's character?
The punishment reflects God's holiness and justice, as He is a God who hates sin and loves righteousness, as stated in Psalms 45:7 and Isaiah 61:8.
What is the significance of God repaying them for their deeds?
This signifies that God is a God of justice who will reward or punish each person according to their actions, as seen in Jeremiah 25:14 and Jeremiah 32:19.
How does this verse relate to the idea of spiritual leadership?
This verse highlights the importance of spiritual leaders being accountable to God and setting a good example for the people, as seen in 1 Timothy 4:12 and Titus 2:7-8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I, as a believer, can ensure that I am not following the example of the priests and people in this verse, who were punished for their actions?
- How can I, as a member of the body of Christ, hold my spiritual leaders accountable and support them in their role?
- In what ways can I examine my own heart and actions to ensure that I am not exchanging my glory for a thing of disgrace, as mentioned in Hosea 4:7?
- What are some practical steps I can take to seek understanding and wisdom, rather than allowing promiscuity, wine, and new wine to take away my understanding, as mentioned in Hosea 4:11?
Gill's Exposition on Hosea 4:9
And there shall be, like people, like priest,.... No difference between them in their festivals, the one being as greedy of committing intemperance and uncleanness as the other, and in their common
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hosea 4:9
And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hosea 4:9
The sum of these words is this, that God will certainly punish; for the sins both of priests and people are such that God will no further forbear either; and when he comes to punish, he will do it according to the ways and doings of both; where sins have been equal, punishment shall be equal too, both priest and people shall be led into captivity, and there used without any differencing respect of one or other.
Trapp's Commentary on Hosea 4:9
Hosea 4:9 And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.Ver. 9. And there shall be like people like priest] i.e. they shall share alike in punishment, as they have done in sin; neither shall their priesthood protect them, any more than it did Eli’ s two sons, whose white ephod covered foul sins. A wicked priest is the worst creature upon earth. Who are devils but they that were once angels of light? and who shall have their portion with the devil and his angels but those dehonestamenta cleri malae monetae ministri, bad lived ministers. It was grown to a proverb in times of Popery, that the pavement of hell was pitched with soldiers’ helmets and shavelings’ crowns. Letters also were framed and published as sent from hell; wherein the devil gave the Popish clergy no small thanks, for so many millions of souls as by them were daily sent down to him. The priests might haply hope to be privileged and provided for in a common calamity, for their office sake; as Chrysostom saith that Aaron (though in the same fault with Miriam, Numbers 12:1, yet) was not smitten with leprosy as she, for the honour of the priesthood (διατοτηςειροσυνηςαξιωμα. Chrys.), lest such a foul disease on his person should redound to the disgrace of his office. But I rather think he escaped by his true and timely repentance; whereby he disarmed God’ s indignation, and redeemed his own sorrow and shame. For God is an impartial judge; neither is there with him respect of persons: priest and people shall all be carried captive one with another (the priests for the people, according to that of Isa 6:5, "I am a man of polluted lips": for what reason?
"I live among a people of polluted lips," and have learned their language; and especially the people for the priests, Jeremiah 23:10; Jeremiah 23:14-15; from the prophets there goes profaneness quite through the land), so they shall fare the worse one for another; they shall all be involved in the same punishment. Only it shall be more grievous to the priest, by how much higher thoughts he had of himself; looking on the people as his underlings, as they did, John 7:49. And I will punish them for their ways] Heb. visit them. So Exodus 32:34, "In the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them." God hath his visitation days wherein to visit those visitors, the priests; and his articles will be as strict and as critical (saith one) as ever was the Inquisition of Spain or Lambeth. It was therefore good counsel that a martyr gave his wife in a letter, Among all other prisoners visit your own soul, and set all to rights there: for else, what will you do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what will you answer him? Job 31:14.
Ellicott's Commentary on Hosea 4:9
(9, 10) As the people will be punished, so will the priest. The latter will not be saved by wealth or dignity. And I will visit upon him his ways (observe here the collective singular in the pronoun), and cause his doings to return upon him. The form of the punishment is to be noticed. The eating of the sin of the people shall leave them hungry, and their licentiousness shall leave them childless.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hosea 4:9
Verse 9. Like people, like priest] "The priest a wanderer from the narrow way; The silly sheep, no wonder that they stray." I will punish them] Both priest and people; both equally bad.
Cambridge Bible on Hosea 4:9
9. like people, like priest] i.e. the priest shall fare no better than the people. His official ‘nearness’ to Jehovah shall be no safeguard to him. I will punish them …] Rather, punish him, viz. the priest representing the order.
Barnes' Notes on Hosea 4:9
And there shall be like people, like priest - Priest and people were alike in sin. Yea they are wont, if bad, to foment each other’s sin.
Whedon's Commentary on Hosea 4:9
9, 10. The judgment to fall upon priest and people alike. And there [“it”] shall be, like people, like priest — Priest and people shall perish alike.
Sermons on Hosea 4:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Confessions of a Pharisee by Alan Martin | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the role of the tutor in delivering people from condemnation. He refers to Romans 11:32, which states that God has committed all men to diso |
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Luke 12:54 to End. Christ Reproves the People for Not Discerning the Signs of the Time. by Favell Lee Mortimer | Favell Lee Mortimer preaches about the importance of discerning the signs of the times and being prepared for the future, drawing parallels from historical events like the delivera |
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Self Denial and Discipline by Miles DeBenedictis | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the analogy of athletes preparing for the ancient games in Corinth. He emphasizes the rigorous training and discipline that these athletes und |
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Ivory Houses & Fat Cows: The Excessive Nonsense of the Modern Christian Church by Joseph LoSardo | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the decline of a nation that was once a leader in industry and ponders its future. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on God and His s |
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Fren-14 Fondements Apostoliques - Église Dans Les Desseins De Dieu by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker begins by expressing his own concerns and anxieties about preaching to an audience. He emphasizes the need for God's guidance and grace in order to effe |
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Judges 17:6 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith addresses the chaotic state of Israel during the time of the Judges, emphasizing the lack of leadership and direction that led the people to follow paths of moral relat |
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The Radical Kingdom of God: Conventional Christianity or Biblical Faith? by Art Katz | Art Katz passionately calls for the Church to awaken from its indifference and embrace its true identity as the radical Kingdom of God. He emphasizes that the Church has allowed th |