Hosea 4:18
16 For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow?
17 Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!
When their liquor is gone, they turn to prostitution; their rulers dearly love disgrace.
19 The whirlwind has wrapped them in its wings, and their sacrifices will bring them shame.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- When their liquor is gone, they turn to prostitution; their rulers dearly love disgrace.
- KJV
- Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love, Give ye.
- WEB
- Their drink has become sour. They play the prostitute continually. Her rulers dearly love their shameful way.
- ASV
- Their drink is become sour; they play the harlot continually; her rulers dearly love shame.
- DARBY
- Their drink is sour; they give themselves up to whoredom; her great men passionately love [their] shame.
- BLB
- Has turned aside their liquor, they engage in flagrant prostitution; her rulers dearly love love dishonor.
- ÅB
- Deres rus er forbi; utukt har deres skjold[^4] drevet, høyt har de elsket det som skammelig er.
- OTB
- Selv når deres drikk er borte, fortsetter de sin prostitusjon; deres ledere elsker skammelige veier.
- B1930
- Deres rus er forbi; utukt har deres skjold drevet, høit har de elsket det som skammelig er.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Micah 3:11
Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.”
Read in contextProverbs 30:15–16
The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’:
Read in contextExodus 23:8
Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 16:19
Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.
Read in contextMicah 7:3
Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 32:32–33
But their vine is from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah. Their grapes are poisonous; their clusters are bitter.
Read in contextAmos 5:12
For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate.
Read in context1 Samuel 8:3
But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.
Read in context