King James Version

What Does Hosea 5:1 Mean?

Hosea 5:1 in the King James Version says “Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward y... — study this verse from Hosea chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.

Hosea 5:1 · KJV


Context

1

Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.

2

And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all. though: or, and a rebuker: Heb. a correction

3

I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The summons 'Hear this, O priests; listen, O house of Israel; give ear, O house of the king' calls all leadership to account: religious (priests), tribal (Israel collectively), and political (royal house). 'For the judgment is toward you' (ki lakem ha-mishpat) announces God's legal proceeding against them. The specific charge: 'you have been a snare at Mizpah and a net spread on Tabor'—geographic locations where leaders should have guided people to God but instead trapped them in sin. Mizpah was Saul's coronation site and Tabor a Levitical city; both became centers of false worship. Leaders entrusted with spiritual guidance perverted their office into instruments of destruction. This principle applies universally: greater privilege brings greater accountability (Luke 12:48), and unfaithful shepherds face severe judgment (Ezekiel 34, John 10:12-13).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Mizpah (in Gilead) and Tabor (in Zebulun/Issachar) were strategic locations that became idolatrous shrines. Hosea's indictment spans both religious and civil leadership during Israel's final chaotic decades: political instability, assassination of kings, desperate alliances with Assyria and Egypt, and pervasive idolatry. The priests failed to teach God's law (4:6), kings pursued power politics ignoring divine will, and elders led people astray. This leadership vacuum contributed to Israel's collapse. Hosea's contemporary Micah pronounced similar judgment on Judah's leaders (Micah 3:1-12). Jesus later condemned Pharisees and teachers of the law for blocking others from God's kingdom (Matthew 23:13).

Reflection Questions

  1. What accountability do I bear for my influence on others, especially if I hold leadership positions?
  2. How do I evaluate spiritual leaders—by worldly success or by faithfulness to God's Word?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
שִׁמְעוּ1 of 20

Hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

זֹ֨את2 of 20
H2063

this (often used adverb)

הַכֹּהֲנִ֜ים3 of 20

ye this O priests

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וְהַקְשִׁ֣יבוּ׀4 of 20

and hearken

H7181

to prick up the ears, i.e., hearken

וּבֵ֤ית5 of 20

O house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל6 of 20

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וּבֵ֤ית7 of 20

O house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙8 of 20

of the king

H4428

a king

הַאֲזִ֔ינוּ9 of 20

and give ye ear

H238

to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e., (by implication) to listen

כִּ֥י10 of 20
H3588

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

לָכֶ֖ם11 of 20
H0
הַמִּשְׁפָּ֑ט12 of 20

for judgment

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

כִּֽי13 of 20
H3588

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

פַח֙14 of 20

is toward you because ye have been a snare

H6341

a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin)

הֱיִיתֶ֣ם15 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְמִצְפָּ֔ה16 of 20

on Mizpah

H4709

mitspah, the name of two places in palestine

וְרֶ֖שֶׁת17 of 20

and a net

H7568

a net (as catching animals)

פְּרוּשָׂ֥ה18 of 20

spread

H6566

to break apart, disperse, etc

עַל19 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

תָּבֽוֹר׃20 of 20

upon Tabor

H8396

tabor, a mountain in palestine, also a city adjacent


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 5:1 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 5:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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