King James Version

What Does Hosea 5:4 Mean?

Hosea 5:4 in the King James Version says “They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they h... — study this verse from Hosea chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Hosea 5:4 · KJV


Context

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.

6

They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Shallow repentance insufficient: '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.' The Hebrew לֹא יִתְּנוּ מַעַלְלֵיהֶם לָשׁוּב אֶל־אֱלֹהֵיהֶם (lo yittenu ma'alelhem lashuv el-Eloheihem): 'their deeds do not permit them to return to their God.' Sin has created such bondage that repentance becomes impossible apart from divine intervention. The 'spirit of whoredoms' (רוּחַ זְנוּנִים, ruach zenunim) indwelling them prevents turning. They lack true knowledge (יָדַע, yada') of YHWH—the intimate covenant relationship necessary for salvation. This teaches total depravity: sin so corrupts that we cannot even repent without grace (Ephesians 2:1-5). Only Spirit-wrought regeneration enables turning to God (John 3:3-8).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's repeated cycles of shallow repentance followed by renewed apostasy demonstrated inability to genuinely turn to God. They performed outward reformation (2 Kings 10:29-31, 13:6, 14:24) while maintaining core idolatry. This pattern continues through Israel's history: reforms that touch behavior without transforming hearts inevitably fail. The phrase 'spirit of whoredoms in the midst of them' suggests demonic bondage or deeply entrenched disposition toward evil. Only the new covenant promise—God writing law on hearts through Spirit (Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 36:27)—could break this bondage. Church history similarly shows that external reform movements without spiritual renewal eventually revert to former corruption.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse demonstrate human inability to repent apart from divine grace, and how does this inform our understanding of evangelism?
  2. What distinguishes genuine Spirit-wrought repentance from shallow behavioral modification?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
לֹ֤א1 of 14
H3808

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

יִתְּנוּ֙2 of 14

They will not frame

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

מַ֣עַלְלֵיהֶ֔ם3 of 14

their doings

H4611

an act (good or bad)

לָשׁ֖וּב4 of 14

to turn

H7725

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

אֶל5 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם6 of 14

unto their 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

כִּ֣י7 of 14
H3588

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

ר֤וּחַ8 of 14

for the spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

זְנוּנִים֙9 of 14

of whoredoms

H2183

adultery; figuratively, idolatry

בְּקִרְבָּ֔ם10 of 14

is in the midst

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

וְאֶת11 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֖ה12 of 14

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לֹ֥א13 of 14
H3808

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

יָדָֽעוּ׃14 of 14

of them and they have not known

H3045

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


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 5:4 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 5:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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