King James Version

What Does Hosea 9:15 Mean?

Hosea 9:15 in the King James Version says “All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of m...” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.”

Hosea 9:15 · KJV

Love

Context

13

Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.

14

Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts. miscarrying: Heb. that casteth the fruit

15

All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.

16

Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb. the: Heb. the desires

17

My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.

Read Hosea 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Gilgal wickedness: 'All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.' Gilgal identified as wickedness center—כָּל־רָעָתָם בַּגִּלְגָּל (kol-ra'atam bagilgal). Divine response: שְׂנֵאתִים (sene'tim, I hated them), expulsion from בֵּיתִי (veiti, My house), לֹא אוֹסֵף אַהֲבָתָם (lo osef ahavatam, I will love them no more). All princes סֹרְרִים (sorerim, revolters). This demonstrates that persistent covenant violation exhausts divine patience, resulting in covenant love withdrawn. Only Christ's mediation secures unending love (Romans 8:38-39).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Gilgal, originally significant covenant site (Joshua 4:19-24, 5:2-10, 1 Samuel 11:14-15, 15:12-23), became corrupted worship center. Prophets condemned it (Hosea 9:15, 12:11, Amos 4:4, 5:5). What began as place of covenant renewal became place of covenant violation. God's 'hatred' (שָׂנֵא, sane) uses covenant lawsuit language—legal rejection, not emotional malice. 'Drive out of My house' references expelling from land/covenant community. Archaeological evidence shows Gilgal had significant cultic activity in monarchic period. That such historically important site became center of wickedness demonstrates how far Israel had fallen. Church history shows similar pattern: historically significant sites/institutions sometimes become centers of apostasy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can historically significant places of genuine worship (like Gilgal) become centers of corruption and false worship?
  2. What does divine 'hatred' (covenant rejection) teach about the seriousness of persistent rebellion despite prior grace?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
כָּל1 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

רָעָתָ֤ם2 of 17

“All their wickedness”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

בַּגִּלְגָּל֙3 of 17

“is in Gilgal”

H1537

gilgal, the name of three places in palestine

כִּֽי4 of 17
H3588

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

שָׁ֣ם5 of 17
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

שְׂנֵאתִ֔ים6 of 17

“for there I hated”

H8130

to hate (personally)

עַ֚ל7 of 17
H5921

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

רֹ֣עַ8 of 17

“them for the wickedness”

H7455

badness (as marring), physically or morally

מַֽעַלְלֵיהֶ֔ם9 of 17

“of their doings”

H4611

an act (good or bad)

מִבֵּיתִ֖י10 of 17

“of mine house”

H1004

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

אֲגָרְשֵׁ֑ם11 of 17

“I will drive them out”

H1644

to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce

לֹ֤א12 of 17
H3808

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

אוֹסֵף֙13 of 17

“them no more”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

אַהֲבָתָ֔ם14 of 17

“I will love”

H160

love

כָּל15 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שָׂרֵיהֶ֖ם16 of 17

“all their princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

סֹרְרִֽים׃17 of 17

“are revolters”

H5637

to turn away, i.e., (morally) be refractory

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 9:15 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 9:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 4:15Isaiah 1:231 Samuel 7:16Hosea 12:11Amos 5:5Zephaniah 3:3

Places in This Verse

Gilgal 1Settlement · Modern: Khirbet el Mefjir · 31.88°N, 35.46°E33 verses across 7 books
View all places in Hosea 9 →

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