King James Version

What Does Hosea 9:7 Mean?

Hosea 9:7 in the King James Version says “The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiri... — study this verse from Hosea chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Hosea 9:7 · KJV


Context

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

8

The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God. in the: or, against the

9

They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Visitation and recompense - judgment has arrived. Israel shall know emphasizes certainty. The prophet called fool and spiritual man called mad describes rejection of God's messengers. Cause: multitude of iniquity and great hatred. When societies reject prophetic voices, judgment proves prophets right. Only heeding God's word prevents disaster.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel mocked prophets (Amos 7:12-13, Hosea called fool), rejecting warnings. Yet Assyrian conquest vindicated prophecies - Israel learned truth through experiencing predicted judgment. This pattern recurs: societies rejecting biblical proclamation eventually face consequences proving truth of warnings. Jesus wept over Jerusalem refusing Him (Luke 19:41-44), predicting destruction Rome executed (70 AD). Modern application: dismissing biblical warnings as foolishness doesn't prevent judgment, merely removes excuse. Only humble reception of God's word provides safety.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways do I dismiss biblical warnings as foolish, risking the consequences prophets accurately predicted?
  2. How does judgment vindicating rejected prophets demonstrate both Scripture's reliability and necessity of heeding it?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
בָּ֚אוּ1 of 18

are come

H935

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

יְמֵ֣י2 of 18

The days

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

הַפְּקֻדָּ֗ה3 of 18

of visitation

H6486

visitation (in many senses, chiefly official)

בָּ֚אוּ4 of 18

are come

H935

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

יְמֵ֣י5 of 18

The days

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

הַשִׁלֻּ֔ם6 of 18

of recompence

H7966

a requital, i.e., (secure) retribution, (venal) a fee

יֵדְע֖וּ7 of 18

shall know

H3045

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל8 of 18

Israel

H3478

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

אֱוִ֣יל9 of 18

is a fool

H191

(figuratively) silly

הַנָּבִ֗יא10 of 18

it the prophet

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

מְשֻׁגָּע֙11 of 18

is mad

H7696

to rave through insanity

אִ֣ישׁ12 of 18

man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הָר֔וּחַ13 of 18

the spiritual

H7307

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

עַ֚ל14 of 18
H5921

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

רֹ֣ב15 of 18

for the multitude

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

עֲוֺנְךָ֔16 of 18

of thine iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וְרַבָּ֖ה17 of 18

and the great

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

מַשְׂטֵמָֽה׃18 of 18

hatred

H4895

enmity


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 9:7 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 9:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study