1. akousate tauta oi iereiV kai prosecete oikoV israhl kai o oikoV tou basilewV enwtizesqe dioti proV umaV estin to krima oti pagiV egenhqhte th skopia kai wV diktuon ektetamenon epi to itaburion
2. o oi agreuonteV thn qhran katephxan egw de paideuthV umwn
3. egw egnwn ton efraim kai israhl ouk apestin ap' emou dioti nun exeporneusen efraim emianqh israhl
4. ouk edwkan ta diaboulia autwn tou epistreyai proV ton qeon autwn oti pneuma porneiaV en autoiV estin ton de kurion ouk epegnwsan
5. kai tapeinwqhsetai h ubriV tou israhl eiV proswpon autou kai israhl kai efraim asqenhsousin en taiV adikiaiV autwn kai asqenhsei kai ioudaV met' autwn
6. meta probatwn kai moscwn poreusontai tou ekzhthsai ton kurion kai ou mh eurwsin auton oti exeklinen ap' autwn
7. oti ton kurion egkatelipon oti tekna allotria egennhqhsan autoiV nun katafagetai autouV h erusibh kai touV klhrouV autwn
8. salpisate salpiggi epi touV bounouV hchsate epi twn uyhlwn khruxate en tw oikw wn exesth beniamin
9. efraim eiV afanismon egeneto en hmeraiV elegcou en taiV fulaiV tou israhl edeixa pista
10. egenonto oi arconteV iouda wV metatiqenteV oria ep' autouV ekcew wV udwr to ormhma mou
11. katedunasteusen efraim ton antidikon autou katepathsen krima oti hrxato poreuesqai opisw twn mataiwn
12. kai egw wV tarach tw efraim kai wV kentron tw oikw iouda
13. kai eiden efraim thn noson autou kai ioudaV thn odunhn autou kai eporeuqh efraim proV assuriouV kai apesteilen presbeiV proV basilea iarim kai autoV ouk hdunasqh iasasqai umaV kai ou mh diapaush ex umwn odunh
14. dioti egw eimi wV panqhr tw efraim kai wV lewn tw oikw iouda kai egw arpwmai kai poreusomai kai lhmyomai kai ouk estai o exairoumenoV
15. poreusomai kai epistreyw eiV ton topon mou ewV ou afanisqwsin kai epizhthsousin to proswpon mou en qliyei autwn orqriousi proV me legonteV
Footnotes:
5:1-2 - God's call to Israel's priests and leaders highlights their responsibility for the spiritual guidance of the people. Failure by these leaders to lead the people in faithfulness to God results in imminent judgment. The sin of the leadership is reflected in the behavior of the people (see also James 3:1 and Ezekiel 34:2-10).
5:3-4 - God observes that Israel's unfaithfulness is not just external, but internal, in the heart. Israel's sin is deep and can only be healed through genuine repentance and inner transformation (see also Jeremiah 17:9 and Matthew 15:19).
5:5-7 - Israel's approaching shame and destruction reflect the consequences of their turning away from God. Their pride and self-sufficiency led to their downfall, and now they face divine judgment (see also Isaiah 5:15 and Proverbs 16:18).
5:8-12 - God's judgment also extends to the tribes of Israel, especially Ephraim and Judah. Sincere repentance is the only solution, but the people still persist in their sins. This passage illustrates how Israel's internal divisions amplify the spiritual crisis (see also Isaiah 1:15 and Ezekiel 22:30).
5:13-15 - The Lord promises to withdraw from Israel until the people sincerely repent. Suffering and anguish are seen as means of leading the people to recognize their dependence on God and return to Him (see also Amos 5:6 and Jeremiah 29:12-14).
Verses related to Oséias, 5:
Hosea chapter 5 intensifies the accusations against Israel and Judah. How does failed leadership affect the entire nation? This penetrating text condemns religious and political leaders for leading the people astray. The chapter addresses topics such as religious hypocrisy, mistaken political alliances and the inevitability of divine judgment. Hosea 5 reveals God's frustration with the stubbornness of His people. Ponder with us five biblical passages that relate to the critical themes of this incisive chapter.
Matthew 23:27-28: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs: beautiful on the outside, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and all kinds of impurity. This is how you are: on the outside you appear righteous to the people, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and evil." - Jesus denounces the hypocrisy of religious leaders, in a similar way to Hosea's denunciation in Hosea 5.
Isaiah 29:13: "The Lord says, 'These people draw near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. The worship they give me is made up only of rules taught by men'." - Isaiah criticizes superficial worship, a theme that also appears in Hosea 5.
Amos 5:21-24: "I detest and despise your religious festivals; I can't stand your assemblies. Even if you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, it will not please me. [...] Rather, let righteousness flow like a river, justice like an everlasting stream!" - Amos criticizes empty ritualism, a theme that echoes the message of Hosea 5 about the true nature of the worship that God desires.
Galatians 6:7: "Don't be fooled: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." - Paul talks about the inevitable consequences of sin, a theme that also appears in Hosea 5 when God talks about the judgment of Israel.
Proverbs 15:3: "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, closely watching the evil and the good." - This proverb reflects the theme of Hosea 5 about God's knowledge of his people's actions, both good and bad.
FAQ:
What does God say about Israel's leadership in Hosea 5?
God denounces Israel's leadership, including the priests and kings, for their corruption and lack of spiritual leadership, which leads to the people's downfall. (Hosea 5:1-7)
What is the punishment announced by God for Israel in Hosea 5?
God announces punishment and destruction for Israel because of their sin, which will result in shame and suffering if the people fail to repent. (Hosea 5:8-15)
What does the "weeping of Ephraim" in Hosea 5 mean?
The "weeping of Ephraim" symbolizes the false repentance and lamentations of Israel, who, despite suffering, still do not genuinely turn to God. (Hosea 5:11-15)
What does God desire for Israel in Hosea 5?
God desires Israel to acknowledge their guilt, repent, and seek His mercy, abandoning idolatry and returning to His way. (Hosea 5:14-15)
How does Israel's rebellion affect their relationship with God in Hosea 5?
Israel's rebellion creates an alienation from God, who hides Himself from them until they acknowledge their sin and seek genuine repentance. (Hosea 5:6-15)
