Hosea 6
Hosea 6 is part of “Israel's Unfaithfulness Detailed” (4–7) in the outline of Hosea.
Hosea 6 summary
The closing words of the foregoing chapter gave us some hopes that God and his Israel, notwithstanding their sins and his wrath, might yet be happily brought together again, that they would seek him and he would be found of them; now this chapter carries that matter further, and some join the beginning of this chapter with the end of that, "They will seek me early," saying, "Come and let us return." But God doth again complain of the wickedness of this people; for, though some did repent and reform, the greater part continued obstinate. Observe, I. Their resolution to return to God, and the comforts wherewith they encourage themselves in…
Read the full introduction
The closing words of the foregoing chapter gave us some hopes that God and his Israel, notwithstanding their sins and his wrath, might yet be happily brought together again, that they would seek him and he would be found of them; now this chapter carries that matter further, and some join the beginning of this chapter with the end of that, "They will seek me early," saying, "Come and let us return." But God doth again complain of the wickedness of this people; for, though some did repent and reform, the greater part continued obstinate. Observe, I. Their resolution to return to God, and the comforts wherewith they encourage themselves in their return (Hos 6:1-3). II. The instability of many of them in their professions and promises of repentance, and the severe course which God therefore took with them (Hos 6:4, Hos 6:5). III. The covenant God made with them, and his expectations from them (Hos 6:6); their violation of that covenant and frustrating those expectations (Hos 6:7-11).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Key verses in Hosea 6
Hosea 6 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Israel's Insincere Repentance
1Come, and let vs returne to the Lord: for he hath spoyled, and he will heale vs: he hath wounded vs, and he will binde vs vp. 2After two dayes will he reuiue vs, and in the third day he will raise vs vp, and we shall liue in his sight. 3Then shall we haue knowledge, and indeuour our selues to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning, and he shall come vnto vs as the raine, and as the latter raine vnto the earth.
The Sins of Israel and Judah
4O Ephraim, what shall I doe vnto thee? O Iudah, how shall I intreate thee? for your goodnesse is as a morning cloude, and as the morning dewe it goeth away. 5Therefore haue I cut downe by the Prophets: I haue slaine them by the wordes of my mouth, and thy iudgements were as the light that goeth forth. 6For I desired mercie, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more then burnt offrings. 7But they like men haue transgressed the couenant: there haue they trespassed against me. 8Gilead is a citie of them that worke iniquitie, and is polluted with blood. 9And as the eues waite for a man, so the companie of Priestes murder in the way by consent: for they worke mischiefe. 10I haue seene vileny in the house of Israel: there is ye whoredome of Ephraim: Israel is defiled. 11Yea, Iudah hath set a plant for thee, whiles I woulde returne ye captiuitie of my people.