Menu

Hosea 4:10

Hosea 4:10 in Multiple Translations

They will eat but not be satisfied; they will be promiscuous but not multiply. For they have stopped obeying the LORD.

For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD.

And they shall eat, and not have enough; they shall play the harlot, and shall not increase; because they have left off taking heed to Jehovah.

They will have food, but they will not be full; they will be false to me, but they will not be increased, because they no longer give thought to the Lord.

They will eat, but they will not be satisfied; they will engage in prostitution, but they will not prosper because they have given up on the Lord to go and prostitute themselves to other gods.

For they shall eate, and not haue ynough: they shall commit adulterie, and shall not increase, because they haue left off to take heede to ye Lord.

And they have eaten, and are not satisfied, They have gone a-whoring, and increase not, For they have left off taking heed to Jehovah.

They will eat, and not have enough. They will play the prostitute, and will not increase; because they have abandoned listening to the LORD.

For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall be guilty of lewdness, and shall not increase: because they have ceased to take heed to the LORD.

And they shall eat and shall not be filled: they have committed fornication, and have not ceased: because they have forsaken the Lord in not observing his law.

The priests will eat, but they will still be hungry; they will have sex with prostitutes, but they will not have any children, because they have abandoned me, Yahweh,

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights
God & Jesus
Holy Spirit
Divine Actions
Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Hosea 4:10

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Hosea 4:10 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/אָֽכְלוּ֙ וְ/לֹ֣א יִשְׂבָּ֔עוּ הִזְנ֖וּ וְ/לֹ֣א יִפְרֹ֑צוּ כִּֽי אֶת יְהוָ֥ה עָזְב֖וּ לִ/שְׁמֹֽר
וְ/אָֽכְלוּ֙ ʼâkal H398 to eat Conj | V-Qal-3cp
וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part
יִשְׂבָּ֔עוּ sâbaʻ H7646 to satisfy V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
הִזְנ֖וּ zânâh H2181 to fornicate V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp
וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part
יִפְרֹ֑צוּ pârats H6555 to break through V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
כִּֽי kîy H3588 for Conj
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
יְהוָ֥ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
עָזְב֖וּ ʻâzab H5800 Forsaken V-Qal-Perf-3cp
לִ/שְׁמֹֽר shâmar H8104 to keep Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Hosea 4:10

וְ/אָֽכְלוּ֙ ʼâkal H398 "to eat" Conj | V-Qal-3cp
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִשְׂבָּ֔עוּ sâbaʻ H7646 "to satisfy" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To satisfy means to fill someone with enough of something, like food or desire, and can also mean to have too much of something.
Definition: 1) to be satisfied, be sated, be fulfilled, be surfeited 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be sated (with food) 1a2) to be sated, be satisfied with, be fulfilled, be filled, have one's fill of (have desire satisfied) 1a3) to have in excess, be surfeited, be surfeited with 1a3a) to be weary of (fig) 1b) (Piel) to satisfy 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to satisfy 1c2) to enrich 1c3) to sate, glut (with the undesired)
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of. See also: Exodus 16:8; Proverbs 12:11; Psalms 17:14.
הִזְנ֖וּ zânâh H2181 "to fornicate" V-Hiphil-Perf-3cp
To fornicate means to commit adultery or be unfaithful, often used to describe idolatry in the Bible. It can also refer to a person being a cult prostitute or causing others to be unfaithful.
Definition: 1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication 1a2) to commit adultery 1a3) to be a cult prostitute 1a4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to play the harlot 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to commit adultery 1c2) to force into prostitution 1c3) to commit fornication
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) commit fornication, [idiom] continually, [idiom] great, (be an, play the) harlot, (cause to be, play the) whore, (commit, fall to) whoredom, (cause to) go a-whoring, whorish. See also: Genesis 34:31; Isaiah 57:3; Psalms 73:27.
וְ/לֹ֣א lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִפְרֹ֑צוּ pârats H6555 "to break through" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To break through means to burst out or force one's way, like when a baby is born or a wall is broken down. This word is used in many situations, like when God breaks through to help someone or when a crowd breaks out in violence.
Definition: 1) to break through or down or over, burst, breach 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to break or burst out (from womb or enclosure) 1a2) to break through or down, make a breach in 1a3) to break into 1a4) to break open 1a5) to break up, break in pieces 1a6) to break out (violently) upon 1a7) to break over (limits), increase 1a8) to use violence 1a9) to burst open 1a10) to spread, distribute 1b) (Niphal) to be broken through 1c) (Pual) to be broken down 1d) (Hithpael) to break away
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abroad, (make a) breach, break (away, down, -er, forth, in, up), burst out, come (spread) abroad, compel, disperse, grow, increase, open, press, scatter, urge. See also: Genesis 28:14; 2 Chronicles 25:23; Psalms 60:3.
כִּֽי kîy H3588 "for" Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יְהוָ֥ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
עָזְב֖וּ ʻâzab H5800 "Forsaken" V-Qal-Perf-3cp
Forsaken means to loosen or relinquish something, often implying abandonment. In the Bible, the word appears in Psalm 22:1, where David cries out to God, saying my God, why have you forsaken me. The term signifies a sense of desperation and isolation.
Definition: This name means to restore, repair Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 206 OT verses. KJV: commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:24; Nehemiah 5:10; Psalms 9:11.
לִ/שְׁמֹֽר shâmar H8104 "to keep" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.

Study Notes — Hosea 4:10

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Micah 6:14 You will eat but not be satisfied, and your hunger will remain with you. What you acquire, you will not preserve; and what you save, I will give to the sword.
2 Leviticus 26:26 When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will bake your bread in a single oven and dole out your bread by weight, so that you will eat but not be satisfied.
3 Haggai 1:6 You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.”
4 Malachi 2:1–3 “And now this decree is for you, O priests: If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to honor My name,” says the LORD of Hosts, “I will send a curse among you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already begun to curse them, because you are not taking it to heart. Behold, I will rebuke your descendants, and I will spread dung on your faces, the waste from your feasts, and you will be carried off with it.
5 Hosea 4:14 I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.
6 Isaiah 65:13–16 Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: “My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; My servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; My servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame. My servants will shout for joy with a glad heart, but you will cry out with a heavy heart and wail with a broken spirit. You will leave behind your name as a curse for My chosen ones, and the Lord GOD will slay you; but to His servants He will give another name. Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth, and whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth. For the former troubles will be forgotten and hidden from My sight.
7 Zephaniah 1:6 and those who turn back from following the LORD, neither seeking the LORD nor inquiring of Him.”
8 2 Chronicles 24:17 After the death of Jehoiada, however, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them.
9 Hosea 9:11–17 Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird, with no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception. Even if they raise their children, I will bereave them of each one. Yes, woe be to them when I turn away from them! I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a meadow. But Ephraim will bring out his children for slaughter. Give them, O LORD— what will You give? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that dry up! All their evil appears at Gilgal, for there I hated them. I will drive them from My house for the wickedness of their deeds. I will no longer love them; all their leaders are rebellious. Ephraim is struck down; their root is withered; they cannot bear fruit. Even if they bear children, I will slay the darlings of their wombs. My God will reject them because they have not obeyed Him; and they shall be wanderers among the nations.
10 Ezekiel 18:24 But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die.

Hosea 4:10 Summary

[This verse is saying that when people disobey God and chase after sinful things, they will never be truly happy or fulfilled. It's like trying to fill a hole that can't be filled, as seen in Ecclesiastes 1:8. They might try to find pleasure in things like sex or food, but it will never be enough. The only way to find true satisfaction is to obey God and follow His commands, as Jesus teaches in John 14:15 and John 15:10-11.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'eat but not be satisfied' in Hosea 4:10?

This phrase suggests that despite indulging in worldly pleasures, people will still feel empty and unfulfilled, much like the Israelites in the wilderness who grumbled despite God's provision, as seen in Exodus 16:3 and Numbers 11:4-6.

How does promiscuity relate to not multiplying in this verse?

The Bible often uses the metaphor of fruitfulness to describe the blessings of obedience to God, as in Deuteronomy 28:1-14, so in this context, not multiplying may indicate a lack of spiritual fruitfulness or blessing due to disobedience.

What is the significance of 'they have stopped obeying the LORD' in this verse?

This phrase highlights the root issue of the people's problems - their disobedience to God's commands, which is a recurring theme throughout the book of Hosea, such as in Hosea 4:1 and Hosea 8:1, and is also warned against in other books like Jeremiah 7:23-24 and Romans 2:8.

How does this verse relate to the broader context of Hosea 4?

This verse is part of a larger section condemning the idolatrous and immoral practices of the Israelites, emphasizing the consequences of their spiritual adultery against God, as seen in verses like Hosea 4:12 and echoing the warnings of other prophets like Isaiah 1:21-23.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways do I seek satisfaction in things that cannot truly fulfill me, and how can I turn to God for true satisfaction?
  2. How can I prioritize obedience to God's commands in my daily life, and what are some areas where I may be disobedient?
  3. What are some ways that promiscuity or other forms of immorality can lead to spiritual emptiness, and how can I protect myself from these dangers?
  4. What does it mean to 'multiply' in a spiritual sense, and how can I seek to bear spiritual fruit in my life?

Gill's Exposition on Hosea 4:10

For they shall eat, and not have enough,.... Namely, the priests; for of them the words are continued, who ate of the sacrifices of the people, and of feasts made in honour of idols; and yet, either

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hosea 4:10

For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hosea 4:10

For, or And, Heb. This is another part of their punishment, and it is better rendered as a particular part of their curse, than as a cause of that which was spoken in the former verse. They shall eat, and not have enough: in they are said to eat up the sin of that people, i.e. by sinful courses they project for their livelihood; now comes the curse God will punish this sin with. He will withhold his blessing, they shall not be nourished, not satisfied, with what they eat. See . They shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase; though they multiply wives to relieve them under the curse of barrenness and want of children, or by fornication seek to multiply their offspring, though they do this which they ought not to do, they shall not hereby increase the number of their children; either the women shall not bear, or the children not live. Because they have left off to take heed to the Lord; they have apostatized and turned from the true God, from his worship and law.

Trapp's Commentary on Hosea 4:10

Hosea 4:10 For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD.Ver. 10. For they shall eat and not have enough] Only they shall be filled with their own ways, Proverbs 14:14, but that is but to feed upon the wind with Ephraim, Hosea 12:1, which breedeth nothing but troublesome belching, or a dog-like appetite (as they call it), that cannot be satisfied (Bουλιμια, appetitus caninus desire of a dog). These greedy dogs, the priests, that did eat up the sins of God’ s people, and thought to have fullly gorged themselves therewith, they met with that sore plague of unsatisfiableness for the present (a man may as soon fill a chest with wind as soul with wealth ( Non plus satiatur cor auro quam corpus aura, Aug.); see Ecclesiastes 5:10) and for the future they coveted an evil covetousness to themselves, for they got God’ s curse along with their illgotten goods which will bring them to a morsel of bread they have not only sucked in the air, but pestilential air, that not only not fills them, but kills them too. They shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase] The Chaldee renders it, They shall take wives, but shall not beget sons. Sol et homo generant hominem, saith the philosopher; but unless God, the first agent, concur, that cannot be neither. Lo, "Children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward," saith David to his son Solomon, who found it true by experience, Psalms 127:3, for by all his wives and concubines (no less than a thousand) he had but one son that we read of and he was none of the wisest; nothing like Edward VI, whom alone Henry VIII left (with his two sisters) to succeed him; though he had so many wives and concubines. Wantonness is a sin commonly punished with warn of posterity: especially when it is accompanied with obstinace in evil courses, as in Ahab who, to cross God’ s threat of rooting out him and his posterity, took many wives; and so bestirred him, that he begat of them seventy sons, but with evil success; for they were all cut off in one day, 2 Kings 10:7. Wicked men must not think to carry it against God; and to have their wills al disputo di Dio, as that profane pope said; and as that graceless Ahaziah, who sent a third captain, after that the former two had been consumed by fire; as if he would despitefully spit in the face of heaven, and wrestle a fall with the Almighty. Let no man expect to prosper in unlawful practices, to increase by whoredom, as these profane priests sought to do, that they might be full of children (anyhow): and leave the rest of their substance to their babes, Psalms 17:14.

Ellicott's Commentary on Hosea 4:10

(9, 10) As the people will be punished, so will the priest. The latter will not be saved by wealth or dignity. And I will visit upon him his ways (observe here the collective singular in the pronoun), and cause his doings to return upon him. The form of the punishment is to be noticed. The eating of the sin of the people shall leave them hungry, and their licentiousness shall leave them childless.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hosea 4:10

Verse 10. They shall eat, and not have enough] Whatever means they may use to satisfy or gratify themselves shall be ineffectual.

Cambridge Bible on Hosea 4:10

10. they shall eat …] Greed is punished retributively by insufficiency of food (Micah 6:14; Leviticus 26:26); whoredom by childlessness.

Barnes' Notes on Hosea 4:10

For they shall eat, and not have enough - This is almost a proverbial saying of Holy Scripture, and, as such, has manifold applications.

Whedon's Commentary on Hosea 4:10

9, 10. The judgment to fall upon priest and people alike. And there [“it”] shall be, like people, like priest — Priest and people shall perish alike.

Sermons on Hosea 4:10

SermonDescription
Zac Poonen (God and Man) Three Things God Requires by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living by God's rules and not accumulating worldly possessions. He warns that those who prioritize material wealth will ult
David Wilkerson It's Not Enough to Get Out of Babylon by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher criticizes the trend of showcase charities that are primarily focused on raising money for airtime and advertisement. He warns that ministers will be h
Harold Vaughan Revival in the Home by Harold Vaughan In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of bears in Yellowstone Park to illustrate how people can lose sight of their purpose. He questions whether we have lost the reason
Zac Poonen From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Malachi) ch.1:11-2:16 by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Abraham and the importance of keeping our promises to God. He highlights how Abraham went above and beyond his promise to provid
Bob Phillips Book of Zephaniah by Bob Phillips In this sermon, the speaker describes the state of Jerusalem and its people, who are in a state of despair and humiliation. The gates of the city are destroyed, the nobles are unab
Teresa Conlon Ministry Marriage (Time for Renewal Conference) by Teresa Conlon In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not deceiving God and pretending to be righteous. He highlights the need for individuals to make things right and open thei
Walter Chantry An Effective Ministry by Walter Chantry In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of an effective ministry and the role of a minister as a messenger of the Lord. The key elements of an effective ministry incl

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate