King James Version

What Does Hosea 9:4 Mean?

Hosea 9:4 in the King James Version says “They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto...” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.”

Hosea 9:4 · KJV

Context

2

The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her. winepress: or, winefat

3

They shall not dwell in the LORD'S land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.

4

They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.

5

What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?

6

For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles. destruction: Heb. spoil the: or, their silver shall be desired, the nettle, etc.: Heb. the desire

Read Hosea 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Worship ended: 'They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.' Exile ends worship: no wine offerings (נֶסֶךְ, nesekh), sacrifices not pleasing (עָרַב, arav), compared to לֶחֶם אוֹנִים (lechem onim, bread of mourners—ceremonially unclean). Their food sustains physically but cannot access God's house. This prophesies worship's end in exile: no temple access, no acceptable sacrifice, no covenant meals. Only Christ's once-for-all sacrifice enables eternal worship access (Hebrews 10:19-22).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Torah prescribed wine offerings accompanying sacrifices (Numbers 15:1-10), pleasing to YHWH when from obedient hearts. Exile prevented these: no legitimate altar, no temple, no priesthood functioning properly. 'Bread of mourners' refers to food eaten in context of corpse contact (Numbers 19:14, Deuteronomy 26:14), rendering eaters ceremonially unclean—unable to approach God or offer sacrifice. In Assyrian exile, all food became defiled (no tithing, no proper slaughter, pagan land). Archaeological evidence shows lack of cultic/temple remains from exilic northern Israelite communities, confirming worship's cessation. This demonstrated that covenant violation results in covenant worship access lost. Only remnant returning to Jerusalem could resume proper worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does loss of worship access demonstrate the seriousness of exile as covenant curse?
  2. What does Christ's opening eternal access to God (Hebrews 10:19-22) reveal about the superiority of the new covenant?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
לֹא1 of 21
H3808

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

יִסְּכ֨וּ2 of 21

“They shall not offer”

H5258

to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint a king

יְהוָֽה׃3 of 21

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

יַיִן֮4 of 21

“wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

וְלֹ֣א5 of 21
H3808

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

יֶֽעֶרְבוּ6 of 21

“neither shall they be pleasing”

H6149

to be agreeable

לוֹ֒7 of 21
H0
זִבְחֵיהֶ֗ם8 of 21

“unto him their sacrifices”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

לַחְמָ֣ם9 of 21

“for their bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

אוֹנִים֙10 of 21

“of mourners”

H205

strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol

לָהֶ֔ם11 of 21
H0
כָּל12 of 21
H3605

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

אֹכְלָ֖יו13 of 21

“all that eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

יִטַּמָּ֑אוּ14 of 21

“thereof shall be polluted”

H2930

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

כִּֽי15 of 21
H3588

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

לַחְמָ֣ם16 of 21

“for their bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

לְנַפְשָׁ֔ם17 of 21

“for their soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

לֹ֥א18 of 21
H3808

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

יָב֖וֹא19 of 21

“shall not come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בֵּ֥ית20 of 21

“into the house”

H1004

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

יְהוָֽה׃21 of 21

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

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 9:4 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 9:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 8:13Deuteronomy 26:14Jeremiah 6:20Haggai 2:13-14Hosea 3:4Joel 2:14

Test Your Knowledge

Hosea 9 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterHosea Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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