King James Version
Hosea 2:4 in the King James Version says “And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.”
Hosea 2:4 · KJV
Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;
Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.
And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.
For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink. drink: Heb. drinks
Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. make: Heb. wall a wall
KJV Study — Public Domain
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“for they be the children”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“And I will not have mercy”
H7355to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
“for they be the children”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
This verse is found in the book of Hosea. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Hosea 2:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Hosea 2:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge