Hosea 9:4
Hosea 9:4 in Multiple Translations
They will not pour out wine offerings to the LORD, and their sacrifices will not please Him, but will be to them like the bread of mourners; all who eat will be defiled. For their bread will be for themselves; it will not enter the house of the LORD.
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.
They shall not pour out wine-offerings to Jehovah, 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 shall be for their appetite; it shall not come into the house of Jehovah.
They will give no wine offering to the Lord, they will not make offerings ready for him; their bread will be like the bread of those in sorrow; all who take it will be unclean, because their bread will be only for their desire, it will not come into the house of the Lord.
You won't pour out any drink offerings to the Lord. None of your sacrifices will please him. Your sacrifices will be like food eaten by a person in mourning —all who eat will be unclean. You will eat this food yourselves, but it will not enter the house of the Lord.
They shall not offer wine to the Lord, neither shall their sacrifices be pleasant vnto him: but they shall be vnto them as the bread of mourners: al that eate thereof, shalbe polluted: for their bread for their soules shall not come into the house of the Lord.
They pour not out wine to Jehovah, Nor are they sweet to Him, Their sacrifices [are] as bread of mourners to them, All eating it are unclean: For their bread [is] for themselves, It doth not come into the house of Jehovah.
They won’t pour out wine offerings to the LORD, neither will they be pleasing to him. Their sacrifices will be to them like the bread of mourners; all who eat of it will be polluted; for their bread will be for their appetite. It will not come into the LORD’s house.
They shall not offer wine -offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing to him: their sacrifices shall be to them as the bread of mourners; all that eat of it shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.
They shall not offer wine to the Lord, neither shall they please him: their sacrifices shall be like the bread of mourners: all that shall eat it shall be defiled: for their bread is life for their soul, it shall not enter into the house of the Lord.
You Israelis will not be able to give wine offerings to him, or bring sacrifices to him. None of your other sacrifices will please him; they will be unacceptable to him, like [SIM] food that is touched by people at funerals, and everyone who eats that food will become unacceptable to him. They will be permitted to eat that food themselves, but they will not be permitted to bring it into the temple.
Berean Amplified Bible — Hosea 9:4
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 9:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לֹא
יִסְּכ֨וּ
לַ/יהוָ֥ה
יַיִן֮
וְ/לֹ֣א
יֶֽעֶרְבוּ
ל/וֹ֒
זִבְחֵי/הֶ֗ם
כְּ/לֶ֤חֶם
אוֹנִים֙
לָ/הֶ֔ם
כָּל
אֹכְלָ֖י/ו
יִטַמָּ֑אוּ
כִּֽי
לַחְמָ֣/ם
לְ/נַפְשָׁ֔/ם
לֹ֥א
יָב֖וֹא
בֵּ֥ית
יְהוָֽה
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יִסְּכ֨וּ
nâçak
H5258
to pour
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
לַ/יהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
Prep | N-proper
יַיִן֮
yayin
H3196
wine
N-ms
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יֶֽעֶרְבוּ
ʻârab
H6148
to pledge
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
ל/וֹ֒
Prep | Suff
זִבְחֵי/הֶ֗ם
zebach
H2077
sacrifice
N-mp | Suff
כְּ/לֶ֤חֶם
lechem
H3899
food
Prep | N-cs
אוֹנִים֙
ʼâven
H205
evil
N-mp
לָ/הֶ֔ם
Prep | Suff
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
אֹכְלָ֖י/ו
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal | Suff
יִטַמָּ֑אוּ
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
to defile
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3mp
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
לַחְמָ֣/ם
lechem
H3899
food
N-cs | Suff
לְ/נַפְשָׁ֔/ם
nephesh
H5315
soul
Prep | N-cs | Suff
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יָב֖וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
בֵּ֥ית
bayith
H1004
place
N-ms
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Hosea 9:4
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
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.
יִסְּכ֨וּ
nâçak
H5258
"to pour"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to pour out or install, often used for setting up a king or offering a sacrifice. It appears in Exodus and Numbers, describing rituals and ceremonies. The word is also used for melting metal.
Definition: 1) to pour out, pour, offer, cast 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pour out 1a2) to cast metal images 1a3) to anoint (a king) 1b) (Niphal) to be anointed 1c) (Piel) to pour out (as a libation) 1d) (Hiphil) to pour out libations 1e) (Hophal) to be poured out Aramaic equivalent: ne.sakh (נְסַךְ "to pour" H5260)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: cover, melt, offer, (cause to) pour (out), set (up). See also: Genesis 35:14; Isaiah 30:1; Psalms 2:6.
לַ/יהוָ֥ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
Prep | 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.
יַיִן֮
yayin
H3196
"wine"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for wine, 'yayin', refers to fermented wine and its effects, including intoxication. It is often mentioned in the Bible in the context of banquets and feasts, such as in the book of Esther.
Definition: wine
Usage: Occurs in 134 OT verses. KJV: banqueting, wine, wine(-bibber). See also: Genesis 9:21; Proverbs 20:1; Psalms 60:5.
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.
יֶֽעֶרְבוּ
ʻârab
H6148
"to pledge"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This verb means to pledge or exchange something, often in the context of giving security or taking on a responsibility. It can also mean to occupy or undertake something, such as going surety for someone or giving pledges.
Definition: 1) to pledge, exchange, mortgage, engage, occupy, undertake for, give pledges, be or become surety, take on pledge, give in pledge 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take on pledge, go surety for 1a2) to give in pledge 1a3) to exchange 1a4) to pledge 1b) (Hithpael) 1b1) to exchange pledges 1b2) to have fellowship with, share
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: engage, (inter-) meddle (with), mingle (self), mortgage, occupy, give pledges, be(-come, put in) surety, undertake. See also: Genesis 43:9; Proverbs 17:18; Psalms 106:35.
ל/וֹ֒
""
Prep | Suff
זִבְחֵי/הֶ֗ם
zebach
H2077
"sacrifice"
N-mp | Suff
A sacrifice refers to the act of offering an animal's flesh to God, such as in the sacrifices of righteousness or the Passover. This term encompasses various types of sacrifices, including thank offerings and covenant sacrifices. The KJV translates it as 'offer' or 'sacrifice'.
Definition: 1) sacrifice 1a) sacrifices of righteousness 1b) sacrifices of strife 1c) sacrifices to dead things 1d) the covenant sacrifice 1e) the passover 1f) annual sacrifice 1g) thank offering
Usage: Occurs in 153 OT verses. KJV: offer(-ing), sacrifice. See also: Genesis 31:54; 1 Samuel 2:19; Psalms 4:6.
כְּ/לֶ֤חֶם
lechem
H3899
"food"
Prep | N-cs
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.
אוֹנִים֙
ʼâven
H205
"evil"
N-mp
This word refers to evil, wickedness, or trouble, often describing idolatry or iniquity, and is used in various KJV translations to convey a sense of wrongdoing.
Definition: 1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow 1a) trouble, sorrow 1b) idolatry 1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness Also means: a.ven (אָ֫וֶן ": trouble" H0205H)
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: affliction, evil, false, idol, iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust, unrighteous, vain, vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare H369 (אַיִן). See also: Numbers 23:21; Psalms 94:23; Psalms 5:6.
לָ/הֶ֔ם
""
Prep | Suff
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
אֹכְלָ֖י/ו
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal | Suff
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.
יִטַמָּ֑אוּ
ṭâmêʼ
H2930
"to defile"
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to be foul or contaminated, often in a moral or ceremonial sense. It is used in the Bible to describe something that is unclean or polluted. In the book of Leviticus, it talks about being unclean and how to become clean again.
Definition: 1) to be unclean, become unclean, become impure 1a) (Qal) to be or become unclean 1a1) sexually 1a2) religiously 1a3) ceremonially 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to defile oneself, be defiled 1b1a) sexually 1b1b) by idolatry 1b1c) ceremonially 1b2) to be regarded as unclean 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to defile 1c1a) sexually 1c1b) religiously 1c1c) ceremonially 1c2) to pronounce unclean, declare unclean (ceremonially) 1c3) to profane (God's name) 1d) (Pual) to be defiled 1e) (Hithpael) to be unclean 1f) (Hothpael) to be defiled
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: defile (self), pollute (self), be (make, make self, pronounce) unclean, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:5; Leviticus 22:5; Psalms 79:1.
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.
לַחְמָ֣/ם
lechem
H3899
"food"
N-cs | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.
לְ/נַפְשָׁ֔/ם
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
Prep | N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
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.
יָב֖וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
בֵּ֥ית
bayith
H1004
"place"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
יְהוָֽה
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.
Study Notes — Hosea 9:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Hosea 9:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Hosea 9:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hosea 9:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hosea 9:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Hosea 9:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Hosea 9:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hosea 9:4
- Cambridge Bible on Hosea 9:4
- Barnes' Notes on Hosea 9:4
- Sermons on Hosea 9:4
Context — Israel’s Punishment
2The threshing floor and winepress will not feed them, and the new wine will fail them.
3They will not remain in the land of the LORD; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria.
4They will not pour out wine offerings to the LORD, and their sacrifices will not please Him, but will be to them like the bread of mourners; all who eat will be defiled. For their bread will be for themselves; it will not enter the house of the LORD.
5What will you do on the appointed day, on the day of the LORD’s feast? 6For even if they flee destruction, Egypt will gather them and Memphis will bury them. Their precious silver will be taken over by thistles, and thorns will overrun their tents.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hosea 8:13 | Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to Me, and though they eat the meat, the LORD does not accept them. Now He will remember their iniquity and punish their sins: They will return to Egypt. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 26:14 | I have not eaten any of the sacred portion while in mourning, or removed any of it while unclean, or offered any of it for the dead. I have obeyed the LORD my God; I have done everything You commanded me. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 6:20 | What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba or sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please Me.” |
| 4 | Joel 2:14 | Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him— grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God. |
| 5 | Haggai 2:13–14 | So Haggai asked, “If one who is defiled by contact with a corpse touches any of these, does it become defiled?” “Yes, it becomes defiled,” the priests answered. Then Haggai replied, “So it is with this people and this nation before Me, declares the LORD, and so it is with every work of their hands; whatever they offer there is defiled. |
| 6 | Ezekiel 24:17 | Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips or eat the bread of mourners.” |
| 7 | Hosea 3:4 | For the Israelites must live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, and without ephod or idol. |
| 8 | Joel 1:13 | Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God, because the grain and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God. |
| 9 | Isaiah 57:6 | Your portion is among the smooth stones of the valley; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering and offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these? |
| 10 | Numbers 28:2 | “Command the Israelites and say to them: See that you present to Me at its appointed time the food for My offerings by fire, as a pleasing aroma to Me. |
Hosea 9:4 Summary
[This verse is saying that the people's attempts to worship God will not be accepted by Him because their hearts are not right with Him. They are trying to offer sacrifices and worship, but it is all just for show and not from a sincere heart, like the kind of heart described in Matthew 15:8. As a result, their worship will actually be defiling to them, and they will be separated from God's presence. This is a reminder to us to examine our own hearts and make sure that our worship is genuine and pleasing to God, as seen in Psalm 51:17, where David prays for a broken and contrite heart that is pleasing to God.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that their sacrifices will not please the LORD?
This means that the people's attempts to worship and offer sacrifices to God will be unacceptable to Him, likely due to their sinful and rebellious hearts, as seen in Isaiah 1:11-15, where God rejects the sacrifices of those who do not follow His ways.
Why will eating the bread be defiling to those who eat it?
The bread is defiling because it is being used in a way that is not pleasing to God, and those who eat it will be participating in this unacceptable worship, much like the warning in 1 Corinthians 10:21, where believers are told not to participate in both the Lord's table and the table of demons.
What is the significance of the bread not entering the house of the LORD?
The bread not entering the house of the LORD symbolizes the people's separation from God and their inability to truly worship Him, as seen in Malachi 1:10, where the people's sacrifices are rejected because of their disobedience and lack of reverence for God's name.
How does this verse relate to the concept of true worship?
This verse highlights the importance of true worship, which involves a sincere and obedient heart, as seen in John 4:24, where Jesus teaches that true worshipers must worship in spirit and truth, and in Romans 12:1, where believers are called to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be offering unacceptable sacrifices or worship to God, and how can I correct this?
- How can I ensure that my heart is sincere and obedient when I come to worship God?
- What are some things in my life that may be defiling to me, and how can I remove them to become more pleasing to God?
- How can I make sure that my daily life and worship are centered on God and His house, rather than just on my own desires and needs?
Gill's Exposition on Hosea 9:4
They shall not offer wine [offerings] to the Lord,.... This is either a threatening of the cessation of sacrifices, being carried into Assyria, a strange land, where it was not lawful to offer
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hosea 9:4
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
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hosea 9:4
They, captived for their idolatry and other sins, shall not offer wine-offerings: these were by the law appointed to be offered with the morning and evening sacrifice; the sacrifice representing Christ, and pardon by him, the wine-offering represented the Spirit of grace. The sacrifice repeated daily continued their peace and pardon; the Spirit of grace supported, guided, comforted, and refreshed; all which shall be withheld from these captives, the law of God forbidding on one account, the law of their conquerors forbidding on another account. Neither shall they be pleasing unto him; or if any should venture to do it, and think thereby to appease God’ s anger, they shall miss their aim, it will not please God. Their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; their eucharistical sacrifices, in which they were used to feast with joy, shall be to them as the bread of mourners, as if they had buried a father or mother, and to comfort or support their saddened spirits did force themselves to some larger allowance and choicer meats; so great should be their grief in midst of their joys. Or else thus, their sacrifices should as much pollute them and displease God as if one mourning for the dead, and forbidden to sacrifice in tears and mourning, should yet venture to do it, and, against the law, sacrifice to his God when polluted by the dead, . All that eat thereof shall be polluted; so far shall these men’ s sacrifices be from expiating and purifying, that they should increase their guilt and danger, and incur the penalty threatened against the polluted, . For; or, surely; the particle is not here causal, but assertive, as in many other places it is. Their bread for their soul; their mincha or bread, which they always offered and were bound to offer with their sacrifices. Or else the first-fruits of their corn, which were to be brought to the Lord, and which being rightly offered did sanctify and insure the rest to them, with a blessing. This should not be done, they should be at that distance from the temple, and under the confinement of captives, so that they should not be able to do it if they were willing.
Shall not come; be brought in to the priest in the temple, ,3, &c.
Trapp's Commentary on Hosea 9:4
Hosea 9:4 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.Ver. 4. They shall not offer wine offerings unto the Lord] Non libabunt, multo minus litabunt, they shall not have wherewith to offer sacrifice, when they are in their banishment, Hosea 3:4, much less to serve God with cheerfulness, to exhilarate his heart with their wine offerings, Judges 9:13, to cheer up themselves with the wine and olive offerings, Numbers 15:5, which were symbols and signs of the merit and spirit of Christ (for the ceremonial law was their gospel, it was Christ in figure), and the deprivation of them threatened the deprivation of grace and glory. Now, therefore, since such a sad condition and such sinking of spirits abode upon this people, what reason had they to rejoice with joy as others. Neither shall they be pleasing, to him] Heb. they shall not be sweet or mingled; for as sweet and sour maketh the best sauce, so the mixture of things of divers qualities maketh the sweetest confections, and most pleasing to the palate; but so shall not be these men’ s wine offerings to God, if any they should present; but sour and savourless. He is now resolved to take another course with them, to glorify himself in their calamity, and to give unto them another while the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath, Revelation 16:19, that is, to delight as much in their misery as a man would do in drinking of a bowl of generous wine. Their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners] i.e. as funeral feasts (whereof read Jeremiah 16:7-8 Ezekiel 24:17), made ad levandum luctum (αρτοςπενθουςνεκροδειπνον), eaten in heaviness by those that were polluted by the dead, and therefore altogether unfit for sacrifice; since God loveth a cheerful service, and will not have any of his come off heavily. See Leviticus 10:19 Deuteronomy 13:7; Deuteronomy 26:14 Malachi 2:13, where those unkind husbands are blamed for causing their wives, when they should have been cheerful in God’ s service, to cover the Lord’ s altar with tears, with weeping and with crying out, so that he regarded not the offering any more. So Ezra, Ezra 9:5, that holy man, though till then he sat astonished at the sins of the people, yet he arose from his heaviness at the evening sacrifice; for he knew that even sorrow for sin might be a sinful sorrow, if unseasonable and sullen; for it sours a man’ s spirit, and makes his services unacceptable to God.
Ellicott's Commentary on Hosea 9:4
(4) Offer—i.e., pour out as a libation. A better rendering is to be obtained by abandoning the Hebrew accentuation: And their sacrifices will not be pleasing to Him; it shall be to them as bread of sorrow—i.e., funeral food, which defiles for seven days those who partake of it. Another reference to the Mosaic legislation (Deuteronomy 26:14)—Yea, their bread is for their appetite (i.e., only for bodily sustenance), it cometh not to Jehovah’s house as a sacred offering.[12] These verses show that Hosea did not consider the worship of the Northern Kingdom as in itself illegal. [12] Kuenen (Hibbert Lecture, p. 312) proposes an alteration in the text, whereby the parallelism becomes more harmonious and the construction simpler. He then renders, “They shall pour no libation of wine to Jehovah, and shall not lay out their sacrifices before Him: as food eaten in mourning is their food.” This agrees better with Hosea 3:4.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hosea 9:4
Verse 4. As the bread of mourners] By the law, a dead body, and every thing that related to it, the house where it lay, and the persons who touched it, were all polluted and unclean, and whatever they touched was considered as defiled. See Deuteronomy 26:14; Numbers 19:11; Numbers 19:13-14. For their bread for their soul] The bread for the common support of life shall not be sanctified to them by having the first-fruits presented at the temple.
Cambridge Bible on Hosea 9:4
4. They shall not offer wine offerings to the Lord] Libations of wine were accompaniments of the burnt-offerings and the peace-offerings, and so are naturally mentioned in connexion with the ‘sacrifices.’ It is implied that wine in general would become ‘unclean’, if a certain measure of it were not devoted to this sacred and sanctifying purpose. The clause is therefore equivalent to this—‘The wine that they drink shall not be pleasing to the Lord’; comp. the following words. neither shall they be pleasing (lit. sweet) unto him] Strangely enough, the accentuation of the text separates between the verb and its subject; the Sept., Targ., and Peshito preserve the obviously right view of the construction, neither shall their sacrifices be pleasing unto him. The peculiar accentuation was possibly caused by a wish to preclude a misinterpretation of Hosea’s language, viz. that the Israelites would go on sacrificing to Jehovah even when in captivity. But the truth is that the Hebrew zιbakh (like ἱερεῖον, see Mahaffy’s Old Greek Life, p. 32) has a twofold meaning: 1, a sacrifice, and 2, a feast of animal food. Fleshmeat was not the habitual food of the Israelites, any more than it is of the Arabs at the present day; to partake of it was a special divinely given privilege (comp. Genesis 9:3), and those who from time to time availed themselves of this privilege had to make an acknowledgment of it by presenting, at the very least, the blood before Jehovah (comp. 1 Samuel 14:32-35). The Book of Leviticus (Leviticus 17:3-4) prescribes that the blood of all slain beasts should be offered to Jehovah at the door of the tabernacle, and though a milder rule is given in Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 12:15-16), yet, from what we know of the religious habits of the people, we may safely assume that not only did they worship Jehovah at the ‘high places’, but they also in one way or another presented any animal food of which they partook at the local shrines, as well as at the central sanctuary. Hence we may very probably lay down that in old Hebrew as in old Greek life the conceptions of sacrifice (and presenting the blood was a minor kind of sacrificial act) and of feasting upon animal food were inseparable; indeed, we find in the semi-secular Book of Proverbs two synonymous proverbs, in one of which a feast is described as ‘a stalled ox’, and in the other as ‘sacrifices’ (comp. Proverbs 15:17; Proverbs 17:1).
Consequently, we might, in the clause before us, with equal justice render ‘neither shall their sacrifices’, and ‘neither shall their feasts (i.e. meat-meals) be pleasing unto him.’ It must be admitted, however, that the sense is improved if, with Kuenen, we alter a Beth into a Caph, and render, neither shall they lay out their sacrifices before him (upon the altar); comp. Hosea 3:4. Such a mistake in the reading of the text would escape notice the more easily, because the phrase produced by it is so idiomatic (comp. Jeremiah 6:20 b).
Barnes' Notes on Hosea 9:4
They shall not offer wine-offerings to the Lord - The “wine” or “drink-offering” was annexed to all their burnt-offerings, and so to all their public sacrifices.
Sermons on Hosea 9:4
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To What Purpose by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living a life focused on Christ rather than material possessions. He references the teachings of John Wesley, who advocated |
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Prayer and Fasting - When You Fast by Derek Prince | This sermon emphasizes the importance of fasting as a key to effective praying, highlighting the need for humility, prayer, seeking God's face, and turning from wicked ways. It dra |
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The Ministry of Fasting by Wesley Duewel | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the impact of one lone monk named Savonarola who preached against the sins of Rome and the Roman Catholic Church. Despite facing opposition an |
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(Through the Bible) Hosea 1-4 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Joshua and the battle of Ai from the book of Joshua in the Bible. The Israelites were defeated in this battle because there was s |
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Ezekiel 37:24 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes God's promises to Israel, particularly the restoration of the nation and the establishment of a united kingdom under a future king from David's lineage. He h |
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The Burdens of Ravenhill - Part 1 (Compilation) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of viewing the Bible as an absolute truth. He encourages believers to have a deep conviction in the authority and power of Go |
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Weeping Between Porch and the Altar by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker contrasts the superficiality of modern Christian gatherings with the deep devotion and sacrifice of believers in the past. He highlights the story of a |