King James Version

What Does Hosea 4:6 Mean?

Hosea 4:6 in the King James Version says “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou ...” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. destroyed: Heb. cut off”

Hosea 4:6 · KJV

Context

4

Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.

5

Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother. destroy: Heb. cut off

6

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. destroyed: Heb. cut off

7

As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

8

They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity. set: Heb. lift up their soul to

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (מִבְּלִי הַדָּעַת)—Not ignorance but rejection: because thou hast rejected knowledge (מָאַסְתָּ דָּעַת). The priests failed to teach Torah, causing national ruin. Knowledge (דַּעַת, da'at) is covenant relationship, not mere information—the same 'knowing' of marriage intimacy. Thou hast forgotten the law of thy God (תּוֹרַת אֱלֹהֶיךָ תִּשְׁכָּח)—deliberate amnesia, not accidental. God's response is measure-for-measure: I will also forget thy children. Hosea indicts the religious establishment: priestly corruption produced spiritual famine (Amos 8:11). True knowledge of God yields obedience; Israel had neither.

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Historical & Cultural Context

By the mid-8th century BC, Israel's priesthood had failed its fundamental responsibility to teach Torah, resulting in covenant ignorance that destroyed the nation. Hosea's indictment—'My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee'—targeted the priests who had abandoned teaching for profit and political advancement. Archaeological evidence confirms that during this period, high places proliferated throughout Israel with syncretistic worship combining YHWH and Baal elements. The priestly failure created a spiritually illiterate population that could not distinguish true worship from idolatry, making judgment inevitable as ignorance bred sin and sin bred destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Hosea 4:6 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
  2. What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
נִדְמ֥וּ1 of 18

“are destroyed”

H1820

to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. to destroy

עַמִּ֖י2 of 18

“My people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

מִבְּלִ֣י3 of 18
H1097

properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc

הַדַּ֣עַת4 of 18

“for lack of knowledge”

H1847

knowledge

כִּֽי5 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אַתָּ֞ה6 of 18
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

הַדַּ֣עַת7 of 18

“for lack of knowledge”

H1847

knowledge

וְאֶמְאָֽסְאךָ֙8 of 18

“I will also reject”

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

וְאֶמְאָֽסְאךָ֙9 of 18

“I will also reject”

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

מִכַּהֵ֣ן10 of 18

“thee that thou shalt be no priest”

H3547

to officiate as a priest; figuratively, to put on regalia

לִ֔י11 of 18
H0
אֶשְׁכַּ֥ח12 of 18

“I will also forget”

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

תּוֹרַ֣ת13 of 18

“the law”

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ14 of 18

“of thy God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶשְׁכַּ֥ח15 of 18

“I will also forget”

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

בָּנֶ֖יךָ16 of 18

“thy children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

גַּם17 of 18
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אָֽנִי׃18 of 18
H589

i

Study Guide

Historical Context

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.

Theological Significance

Hosea 4:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hosea 4:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 5:13Proverbs 19:2Hosea 6:62 Corinthians 4:3-6Hosea 4:1Matthew 15:8

Test Your Knowledge

Hosea 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterHosea Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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