King James Version

What Does Hosea 5:15 Mean?

Hosea 5:15 in the King James Version says “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will s...” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. acknowledge: Heb. be guilty”

Hosea 5:15 · KJV

Context

13

When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb : yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound. king Jareb: or, the king of Jareb: or, the king that should plead

14

For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.

15

I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. acknowledge: Heb. be guilty

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Divine withdrawal unto repentance: 'I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.' God declares withdrawal to 'my place' (מְקוֹמִי, meqomi—likely heaven, or presence), remaining there עַד (ad, until) they acknowledge guilt (אָשַׁם, asham) and seek His face. The phrase 'in their affliction they will seek me early' (בַּצַּר לָהֶם יְשַׁחֲרֻנְנִי, batssar lahem yeshacharuneni—literally 'in distress they will seek me diligently/early') suggests adversity produces desperation driving return to God. This demonstrates God's purpose in judgment: not destruction but repentance. Affliction serves redemptive purpose—suffering intended to produce seeking. Only Christ's finished work makes God permanently accessible (Hebrews 10:19-22), ending need for repeated seeking.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The pattern of affliction producing repentance appears throughout Judges (Judges 3:9,15; 4:3; 6:6-7; 10:10). Israel's cycle: apostasy, oppression, crying out, deliverance. Exile similarly intended to produce genuine repentance. Deuteronomy 4:29-31 promises: 'if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart...in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God.' The promise partially fulfilled in post-exilic return (Ezra, Nehemiah) but ultimately in remnant accepting Messiah. Church history similarly shows persecution producing deeper faith—comfortable Christianity often breeds complacency; affliction refines and purifies.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's withdrawal in judgment serve redemptive purposes of producing genuine seeking?
  2. What does 'in their affliction they will seek me early' teach about suffering's role in spiritual formation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
אֵלֵ֤ךְ1 of 12
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אָשׁ֙וּבָה֙2 of 12

“and return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל3 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מְקוֹמִ֔י4 of 12

“to my place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

עַ֥ד5 of 12
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אֲשֶֽׁר6 of 12
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יֶאְשְׁמ֖וּ7 of 12

“till they acknowledge their offence”

H816

to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish

וּבִקְשׁ֣וּ8 of 12

“and seek”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

פָנָ֑י9 of 12

“my face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בַּצַּ֥ר10 of 12

“in their affliction”

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

לָהֶ֖ם11 of 12
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

יְשַׁחֲרֻֽנְנִי׃12 of 12

“they will seek me early”

H7836

properly, to dawn, i.e., (figuratively) be (up) early at any task (with the implication of earnestness); by extension, to search for (with painstaking

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 5:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hosea 5:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 26:16Jeremiah 29:12-14Deuteronomy 4:29-31Psalms 78:34Leviticus 26:40-42Psalms 50:15

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