King James Version
Hosea 4:15 in the King James Version says “Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethave...” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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.”
Hosea 4:15 · KJV
They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.
I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall. I will not: or, Shall I not fall: or, be punished
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.
For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.
Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.
KJV Study — Public Domain
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
“play the harlot”
H2181to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
“Though thou Israel”
H3478he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
“yet let not Judah”
H3063jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
“neither go ye up”
H5927to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
“nor swear”
H7650to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
“liveth”
H2416alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
“The LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
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 4:15 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 4:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge