Hosea 7:4
Hosea 7:4 in Multiple Translations
They are all adulterers, like an oven heated by a baker who needs not stoke the fire from the kneading to the rising of the dough.
They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened.
They are all adulterers; they are as an oven heated by the baker; he ceaseth to stir the fire, from the kneading of the dough, until it be leavened.
They are all untrue; they are like a burning oven; the bread-maker does not make up the fire from the time when the paste is mixed till it is leavened.
All of them are adulterers, burning with lust like an oven whose fire stays hot, even though it is not tended by the baker, having left the dough to rise after kneading.
They are all adulterers, and as a very ouen heated by ye baker, which ceaseth from raysing vp, and from kneading ye dough vntill it be leauened.
All of them [are] adulterers, Like a burning oven of a baker, He ceaseth from stirring up after kneading the dough, till its leavening.
They are all adulterers. They are burning like an oven that the baker stops stirring, from the kneading of the dough, until it is leavened.
They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it is leavened.
They are all adulterers, like an oven heated by the baker: the city rested a little from the mingling of the leaven, till the whole was leavened.
The king and his officials are all treacherous. They are always eager to do wicked things; they are like [SIM] an oven that is very hot: a baker mixes the dough and waits for it to expand, and he does not need to cause the oven to become hotter.
Berean Amplified Bible — Hosea 7:4
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 7:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כֻּלָּ/ם֙
מְנָ֣אֲפִ֔ים
כְּמ֣וֹ
תַנּ֔וּר
בֹּעֵ֖רָה
מֵֽ/אֹפֶ֑ה
יִשְׁבּ֣וֹת
מֵעִ֔יר
מִ/לּ֥וּשׁ
בָּצֵ֖ק
עַד
חֻמְצָתֽ/וֹ
כֻּלָּ/ם֙
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms | Suff
מְנָ֣אֲפִ֔ים
nâʼaph
H5003
to commit adultery
V-Piel
כְּמ֣וֹ
kᵉmôw
H3644
like
Prep
תַנּ֔וּר
tannûwr
H8574
oven
N-ms
בֹּעֵ֖רָה
bâʻar
H1197
to burn
V-Qal
מֵֽ/אֹפֶ֑ה
ʼâphâh
H644
to bake
Prep | V-Qal
יִשְׁבּ֣וֹת
shâbath
H7673
to cease
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
מֵעִ֔יר
ʻûwr
H5782
to rouse
V-Hiphil
מִ/לּ֥וּשׁ
lûwsh
H3888
to knead
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
בָּצֵ֖ק
bâtsêq
H1217
dough
N-ms
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
חֻמְצָתֽ/וֹ
châmêts
H2556
to leaven
V-Qal-Inf-a | 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 7:4
כֻּלָּ/ם֙
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
מְנָ֣אֲפִ֔ים
nâʼaph
H5003
"to commit adultery"
V-Piel
This word means to commit adultery or be unfaithful, like in the story of David and Bathsheba. It can also mean to worship idols, which is a form of spiritual adultery. In the Bible, it is used to describe both physical and spiritual unfaithfulness.
Definition: 1) to commit adultery 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to commit adultery 1a1a) usually of man 1a1a1) always with wife of another 1a1b) adultery (of women) (participle) 1a2) idolatrous worship (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to commit adultery 1b1a) of man 1b1b) adultery (of women) (participle) 1b2) idolatrous worship (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: adulterer(-ess), commit(-ing) adultery, woman that breaketh wedlock. See also: Exodus 20:14; Jeremiah 23:10; Psalms 50:18.
כְּמ֣וֹ
kᵉmôw
H3644
"like"
Prep
This word means like or as, used to compare things. It appears in the Bible to describe similarities or to make comparisons, such as in the book of Psalms.
Definition: adv 1) like, as, the like of which conj 2) when, according as, as it were
Usage: Occurs in 126 OT verses. KJV: according to, (such) as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto), thus, when, worth. See also: Genesis 19:15; Job 40:17; Psalms 29:6.
תַנּ֔וּר
tannûwr
H8574
"oven"
N-ms
This Hebrew word for oven or furnace is used in the Bible to describe a place of fire and heat, as seen in Genesis. It can also symbolize God's refining fire, where His people are purified and transformed, like in Isaiah.
Definition: 1) furnace, oven, fire-pot, (portable) stove 1a) for cooking 1b) of God's wrath, His furnace (fig) 1c) of hunger, desire for evil 1d) fire-pot
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: furnace, oven. See also: Genesis 15:17; Nehemiah 12:38; Psalms 21:10.
בֹּעֵ֖רָה
bâʻar
H1197
"to burn"
V-Qal
To be brutish means to be stupid or barbarous, and can also refer to consuming something by fire or eating. It is used to describe someone who is dull-hearted or unreceptive.
Definition: : burn/ignite 1) to burn, consume, kindle, be kindled 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to begin to burn, be kindled, start burning 1a2) to burn, be burning 1a3) to burn, consume 1a4) Jehovah's wrath, human wrath (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to kindle, burn 1b2) to consume, remove (of guilt) (fig.) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to kindle 1c2) to burn up 1c3) to consume (destroy) 1d) (Pual) to burn
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: be brutish, bring (put, take) away, burn, (cause to) eat (up), feed, heat, kindle, set (on fire), waste. See also: Exodus 3:2; Psalms 39:4; Psalms 2:12.
מֵֽ/אֹפֶ֑ה
ʼâphâh
H644
"to bake"
Prep | V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to bake or cook, like making bread. It's used in descriptions of food and meals, like in Leviticus and Ezekiel, and refers to the work of a baker.
Definition: 1) to bake 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bake 1a2) (subst) baker 1b) (Niphal) to be baked, baked
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: bake(-r, (-meats)). See also: Genesis 19:3; Leviticus 7:9; Isaiah 44:15.
יִשְׁבּ֣וֹת
shâbath
H7673
"to cease"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To keep the Sabbath means to rest and stop working, as commanded by God in the book of Exodus. This Hebrew word is used to describe the act of observing the Sabbath day, and is an important part of Jewish tradition and worship.
Definition: 1) to cease, desist, rest 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cease 1a2) to rest, desist (from labour) 1b) (Niphal) to cease 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to cease, put an end to 1c2) to exterminate, destroy 1c3) to cause to desist from 1c4) to remove 1c5) to cause to fail
Usage: Occurs in 67 OT verses. KJV: (cause to, let, make to) cease, celebrate, cause (make) to fail, keep (sabbath), suffer to be lacking, leave, put away (down), (make to) rest, rid, still, take away. See also: Genesis 2:2; Isaiah 14:4; Psalms 8:3.
מֵעִ֔יר
ʻûwr
H5782
"to rouse"
V-Hiphil
To rouse means to wake up or stir someone into action. It can also mean to be excited or triumphant, and is used in the Bible to describe God stirring up his people. This word is about being awakened or energized.
Definition: 1) to rouse oneself, awake, awaken, incite 1a) (Qal) to rouse oneself, awake 1b) (Niphal) to be roused 1c) (Polel) to stir up, rouse, incite 1d) (Hithpolel) to be excited, be triumphant 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to rouse, stir up 1e2) to act in an aroused manner, awake
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: (a-) wake(-n, up), lift up (self), [idiom] master, raise (up), stir up (self). See also: Deuteronomy 32:11; Isaiah 10:26; Psalms 7:7.
מִ/לּ֥וּשׁ
lûwsh
H3888
"to knead"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to knead, like working with dough to make bread. It's a simple, practical term that appears in the Bible when describing everyday activities.
Definition: (Qal) to knead (dough)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: knead. See also: Genesis 18:6; 2 Samuel 13:8; Jeremiah 7:18.
בָּצֵ֖ק
bâtsêq
H1217
"dough"
N-ms
This word refers to dough, specifically unleavened dough, made from flour. It is used in the Bible to describe food, such as the bread made by Abraham. In Exodus, it is used to describe the dough the Israelites took with them when they left Egypt.
Definition: dough (unleavened)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: dough, flour. See also: Exodus 12:34; 2 Samuel 13:8; Jeremiah 7:18.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
חֻמְצָתֽ/וֹ
châmêts
H2556
"to leaven"
V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this verb means to oppress or be cruel to someone, often causing them harm or suffering. It appears in Psalms and Proverbs, describing ruthless behaviors, and warning against treating others harshly. It involves being merciless.
Definition: 1) to be leavened, be sour 1a) (Qal) to be leavened 1b) (Hiphil) to taste something leavened 1c) (Hithpael) to be embittered, grieved
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: cruel (man), dyed, be grieved, leavened. See also: Exodus 12:34; Psalms 73:21; Psalms 71:4.
Study Notes — Hosea 7:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Hosea 7:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Hosea 7:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hosea 7:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hosea 7:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Hosea 7:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Hosea 7:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hosea 7:4
- Cambridge Bible on Hosea 7:4
- Barnes' Notes on Hosea 7:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Hosea 7:4
- Sermons on Hosea 7:4
Context — Ephraim’s Iniquity
2But they fail to consider in their hearts that I remember all their evil. Now their deeds are all around them; they are before My face.
3They delight the king with their evil, and the princes with their lies.
4They are all adulterers, like an oven heated by a baker who needs not stoke the fire from the kneading to the rising of the dough.
5The princes are inflamed with wine on the day of our king; so he joins hands with those who mock him. 6For they prepare their heart like an oven while they lie in wait; all night their anger smolders; in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 9:2 | If only I had a traveler’s lodge in the wilderness, I would abandon my people and depart from them, for they are all adulterers, a crowd of faithless people. |
| 2 | James 4:4 | You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 5:7–8 | “Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and assembled at the houses of prostitutes. They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing after his neighbor’s wife. |
| 4 | Hosea 4:2 | Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another. |
| 5 | Hosea 4:12 | My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God. |
| 6 | Hosea 7:6–7 | For they prepare their heart like an oven while they lie in wait; all night their anger smolders; in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire. All of them are hot as an oven, and they devour their rulers. All their kings fall; not one of them calls upon Me. |
Hosea 7:4 Summary
[Hosea 7:4 says that the people of Israel are like an oven that is always hot, always ready to sin, and this is because they have turned away from God's love and are living in consistent disobedience. This verse is warning us that when we live in sin, it can become a comfortable and normal part of our lives, just like the baker who doesn't need to stoke the fire (as seen in Jeremiah 17:9-10). We need to be careful not to become like this, and instead seek to live a life that is pleasing to God, as described in Romans 12:1-2. By examining our hearts and seeking to live in obedience to God, we can avoid the trap of consistent sin and instead live a life that is filled with love, joy, and peace (as seen in Galatians 5:22-23).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the phrase 'they are all adulterers' mean in this verse?
In Hosea 7:4, 'they are all adulterers' refers to the spiritual unfaithfulness of God's people, who have turned away from Him to worship idols, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:16 and Jeremiah 3:8-10.
Why is the oven heated by a baker used as an illustration in this verse?
The oven heated by a baker illustrates the consistent and ongoing nature of the people's sin, much like how an oven remains hot without needing to be restoked, as described in Hosea 7:4, and this idea is further explored in verses like Matthew 13:33 and 1 Corinthians 5:6-7.
How does this verse relate to the idea of God's judgment?
This verse implies that God's judgment is near, as the people's consistent sin has reached a point where it cannot be ignored, much like the rising dough in the oven, as seen in verses like Amos 5:18-20 and Revelation 20:12-15.
What can we learn from the image of the baker and the oven in this verse?
The image of the baker and the oven teaches us that sin can become a habitual and comfortable part of our lives, much like the baker who doesn't need to stoke the fire, and this idea is echoed in verses like Romans 6:1-2 and Galatians 5:1.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I be like the adulterers in this verse, turning away from God's love and faithfulness?
- How can I examine my own heart to see if there are any areas where I am 'rising like dough' in sin, and what steps can I take to repent and turn back to God?
- What are some ways that I can prioritize my relationship with God, making sure that I am not becoming too comfortable in my sin, and instead seeking to live a life that is pleasing to Him?
- How can I use the image of the oven and the baker to remember the importance of regularly examining my heart and seeking to live a life of obedience to God?
Gill's Exposition on Hosea 7:4
They [are] all adulterers,.... King, princes, priests, and people, both in a spiritual and corporeal sense; they were all idolaters, given to idols try, eager of it, and constant in it, as the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hosea 7:4
They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hosea 7:4
They are all adulterers, both spiritually and carnally, and this latter adultery is that which here is charged on the courtiers and people of Israel. As an oven heated by the baker: this vice is grown raging hot among them, as you see the fire in an oven, when the baker, having called up those that make the bread, to prepare all things ready, and the whole mass is leavened, he doth by continued supply of fuel heat the oven to the highest degree. So doth adultery among this people grow by degrees to raging flames. The whole mass of the people are leavened with this vice also, as well as the court, and every one inflamed with this unclean fire, as the oven heated by the baker.
Trapp's Commentary on Hosea 7:4
Hosea 7:4 They [are] all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, [who] ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened.Ver. 4. They are all adulterers] εξεκαυσθησαν, adulterio caleseunt, so Paguine, scalded in their base lusts, as those in Romans 1:27, all (for the most part) were such; but especially the courtiers and clawback informers, as Hosea 7:3, God, in his just judgment, giving them up to those vile affections or passions of dishonour, and punishing their impieties with impurities, as he did also in those heathens, Romans 1:23. As an oven heated by the baker] An apt similitude setting forth the intense heat of filthy lust (better marry than burn, 1 Corinthians 7:9), and of long continuance as the heat of an oven; yea, of Nebuchadnezzar’ s oven, yea, of hell itself, whence it was enkindled, and where it shall be perpetually punished. The holy angels at the last day will be most active against such, to bring them to condign punishment: 2 Peter 2:10, "But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness." Note the word chiefly, and consider the example of the Sodomites, and God most severe against them, Hebrews 13:4. How much they have lived deliciously, and drenched themselves in fleshly delights, so much torments and sorrow shall they have proportionably, Revelation 18:7. As their hearts have been as a hot oven or furnace, so they shall be bound up in bundles, and cast into a furnace of fire, where shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth, Matthew 13:42.
Ellicott's Commentary on Hosea 7:4
(4) Render, ceaseth heating from the kneading of the dough till its leavening. The baker is unremitting in his exertions to keep up the heat of the oven, the smouldering fire being fed on camel’s dung and the like fuel, except when he is obliged to occupy himself with preparing the dough for baking—an apt image of the incessant burning rage of lust and violence.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hosea 7:4
Verse 4. As an oven heated by the baker] Calmet's paraphrase on this and the following verses expresses pretty nearly the sense: Hosea makes a twofold comparison of the Israelites; to an oven, and to dough. Jeroboam set fire to his own oven-his kingdom-and put the leaven in his dough; and afterwards went to rest, that the fire might have time to heat his oven, and the leaven to raise his dough, that the false principles which he introduced might infect the whole population. This prince, purposing to make his subjects relinquish their ancient religion, put, in a certain sense, the fire to his own oven, and mixed his dough with leaven. At first he used no violence; but was satisfied with exhorting them, and proclaiming a feast. This fire spread very rapidly, and the dough was very soon impregnated by the leaven. All Israel was seen running to this feast, and partaking in these innovations. But what shall become of the oven-the kingdom; and the bread-the people? The oven shall be consumed by these flames; the king, the princes, and the people shall be enveloped in the burning, Hosea 7:7. Israel was put under the ashes, as a loaf well kneaded and leavened; but not being carefully turned, it was burnt on one side before those who prepared it could eat of it; and enemies and strangers came and carried off the loaf.
See Hosea 7:8-9. Their lasting captivity was the consequence of their wickedness and their apostasy from the religion of their fathers. On this explication Hosea 7:4-9, may be easily understood.
Cambridge Bible on Hosea 7:4
4. as an oven …] The fire corresponds to sensual lust, the oven is the heart. The baker ceaseth from kindling (so we should render), when the oven has reached a certain heat, and then he leaves the fire to smoulder, till the fermentation of the dough is complete, and a fresh heating is necessary. So after passion has once been gratified, it smoulders for a time, but is afterwards kindled to a greater heat than before, when some attractive object comes within its range.
Barnes' Notes on Hosea 7:4
They are all adulterers - The prophet continues to picture the corruption of all kinds and degrees of people.
Whedon's Commentary on Hosea 7:4
NEW PICTURE OF THE MORAL AND ANARCHY, Hosea 6:11 to Hosea 7:7.1, 2.
Sermons on Hosea 7:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Death Is a Change of Company by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes that for a believer, death signifies a transition to a better existence, where they leave behind the company of the wicked and enter into the presence of a |
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Bible Survey - Jeremiah by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond delivers a powerful sermon based on the message of Jeremiah, emphasizing the consequences of backsliding and the importance of repentance for restoration. The sermon |
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America's Need by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the hardships and trials that he has faced in his preaching journey. He mentions being beaten, struck, shipwrecked, and facing various peril |
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God Is Trying to Get at That Thing in You by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher, inspired by the Spirit of God, reveals the reason for the ruin of the city. He explains that sin was the cause, specifically the mixing of the holy se |
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Sharing the Grief of God by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher begins by thanking God for his blessings and acknowledging Jesus and the Holy Ghost. He asks for forgiveness for forgetting what God has done and prays |
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Running the Right Race (Birmingham Conference) by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of running the right race in the Christian life, distinguishing between the spirit race, which leads to Christ, and the flesh race, which |
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The Deception of Christian Rock Music Clearly Defined by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the danger of replacing the Holy Spirit with worldly influences like Christian rock music, money, and psychology in churches today. It challenges the focus o |