King James Version

What Does Hosea 9:5 Mean?

Hosea 9:5 in the King James Version says “What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Hosea 9:5 · KJV

Context

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

7

The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred. spiritual: Heb. man of the spirit

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
No festive days: 'What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?' Rhetorical question: מַה־תַּעֲשׂוּ (mah-ta'asu, what will you do) for appointed feasts (מוֹעֵד, mo'ed; חַג, chag)? Answer implied: nothing—exile prevents celebrating appointed times. Leviticus 23 prescribed festivals requiring temple access, land produce, covenant community. Exile ends all. This demonstrates that rebellion costs celebratory covenant relationship. Only Christ fulfills all feasts (Passover, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Tabernacles), enabling eternal celebration (Colossians 2:16-17, Hebrews 4:9-10).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's religious calendar structured around agricultural festivals tied to land: Passover/Unleavened Bread (spring barley), Pentecost/Weeks (spring wheat), Tabernacles/Ingathering (fall harvest). These required Jerusalem pilgrimage (Deuteronomy 16:16-17), offerings of land produce, covenant community gathering. Northern kingdom had established alternative sites (Bethel, Dan), but even these became impossible in Assyrian exile—scattered, landless, no sanctuary. The rhetorical question emphasizes loss: how celebrate harvest festivals without land or harvest? How observe pilgrimage feasts without temple? This demonstrated that covenant disobedience results in covenant joy lost. Post-exilic Judaism adapted (synagogue worship), but exile initially ended festive worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does loss of ability to celebrate appointed feasts demonstrate covenant relationship broken?
  2. What does Christ's fulfillment of all biblical feasts teach about how the gospel transforms religious observance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
מַֽה1 of 7
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תַּעֲשׂ֖וּ2 of 7

“What will ye do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וּלְי֖וֹם3 of 7

“and in the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מוֹעֵ֑ד4 of 7

“in the solemn”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

וּלְי֖וֹם5 of 7

“and in the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

חַג6 of 7

“of the feast”

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

יְהוָֽה׃7 of 7

“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 9:5 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 9:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 10:3Hosea 2:11Jeremiah 5:31Joel 1:13

Test Your Knowledge

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

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