King James Version

What Does Hosea 5:3 Mean?

Hosea 5:3 in the King James Version says “I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Hosea 5:3 · 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.

4

They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD. They will: or, Their doings will not suffer them frame: Heb. give

5

And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them.

Read Hosea 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Known to God: 'I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.' The emphatic אֲנִי יָדַעְתִּי אֶפְרַיִם (ani yada'ti Ephraim): 'I, I know Ephraim'—complete divine knowledge despite human attempts to hide sin. The verb יָדַע (yada', 'know') indicates intimate, comprehensive knowledge—not mere awareness but full understanding of motives, actions, consequences. Israel's harlotry (spiritual adultery) and defilement (טָמֵא, tame'—ceremonial/moral impurity) cannot be hidden from omniscient God. This echoes Psalm 139:1-4: 'O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.' The terrifying reality: all sin occurs in God's full view (Hebrews 4:13). Yet gospel hope: Christ bore our defilement, making us clean (2 Corinthians 5:21).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ephraim's spiritual harlotry involved Baal worship conducted at hidden shrines, under trees, on mountain tops—attempts to conceal idolatry from public view while maintaining appearance of YHWH worship. The priests and leaders facilitated this deception. Yet God's omniscience penetrates all concealment. Archaeological discoveries of 8th century Israelite worship sites show syncretistic practices: YHWH worship mixed with Asherah poles, Baal imagery, fertility cult elements. What they thought hidden from YHWH (perhaps reasoning that Canaanite gods ruled Canaanite sites) was fully known. This demonstrates that secret sin is impossible—God sees all (Jeremiah 23:23-24).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does awareness of God's omniscient knowledge of all our thoughts and actions affect both conviction of sin and assurance of grace in Christ?
  2. What does it mean that despite knowing us fully, God loved us enough to send Christ (Romans 5:8)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
אֲנִי֙1 of 13
H589

i

יָדַ֣עְתִּי2 of 13

“I know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֶפְרַ֔יִם3 of 13

“Ephraim”

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃4 of 13

“and Israel”

H3478

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

לֹֽא5 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נִכְחַ֣ד6 of 13

“is not hid”

H3582

to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy

מִמֶּ֑נִּי7 of 13
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

כִּ֤י8 of 13
H3588

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

עַתָּה֙9 of 13
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

הִזְנֵ֣יתָ10 of 13

“thou committest whoredom”

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

אֶפְרַ֔יִם11 of 13

“Ephraim”

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

נִטְמָ֖א12 of 13

“is defiled”

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃13 of 13

“and Israel”

H3478

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

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 5:3 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 5:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 3:2Hebrews 4:13Amos 5:12Isaiah 7:5Hosea 13:1Deuteronomy 33:17

Test Your Knowledge

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