Hosea 4:7
New International Version
The more priests there were, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their glorious God for something disgraceful.

New Living Translation
The more priests there are, the more they sin against me. They have exchanged the glory of God for the shame of idols.

English Standard Version
The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame.

Berean Standard Bible
The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace.

King James Bible
As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

New King James Version
“The more they increased, The more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame.

New American Standard Bible
The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame.

NASB 1995
The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame.

NASB 1977
The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame.

Legacy Standard Bible
The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into disgrace.

Amplified Bible
The more they multiplied [in numbers and increased in power], the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame.

Christian Standard Bible
The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against me. I will change their honor into disgrace.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me. I will change their honor into disgrace.

American Standard Version
As they were multiplied, so they sinned against me: I will change their glory into shame.

Contemporary English Version
By adding more of you priests, you multiply the number of people who sin. Now I'll change your pride into shame.

English Revised Version
As they were multiplied, so they sinned against me: I will change their glory into shame.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The more priests there are, the more they sin against me. So I will turn their glory into shame.

Good News Translation
"The more of you priests there are, the more you sin against me, and so I will turn your honor into disgrace.

International Standard Version
"The more they increased in number, the more they sinned against me, so I will change their glory into shame.

Majority Standard Bible
The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace.

NET Bible
The more the priests increased in numbers, the more they rebelled against me. They have turned their glorious calling into a shameful disgrace!

New Heart English Bible
As they were multiplied, so they sinned against me. They have exchanged their glory into shame.

Webster's Bible Translation
As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

World English Bible
As they were multiplied, so they sinned against me. I will change their glory into shame.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
According to their abundance so they sinned against Me, "" I change their glory into shame.

Young's Literal Translation
According to their abundance so they sinned against Me, Their honour into shame I change.

Smith's Literal Translation
As they multiplied so they sinned against me: I will change their glory into dishonor.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
According to the multitude of them so have they sinned against me: I will change their glory into shame.

Catholic Public Domain Version
According to the multitude of them, so have they sinned against me. I will change their glory into disgrace.

New American Bible
The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against me, I will change their glory into shame.

New Revised Standard Version
The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; they changed their glory into shame.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
According to the multitude of them, so they have sinned against me; they changed their honor into shame.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
for little according to their multitude, so they sinned, and their honor they exchanged
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The more they were increased, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
According to their multitude, so they sinned against me: I will turn their glory into shame.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Charges Against Israel
6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. 7The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace. 8They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity.…

Cross References
Romans 1:21-23
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Jeremiah 2:11-13
Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols. / Be stunned by this, O heavens; be shocked and utterly appalled,” declares the LORD. / “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

Malachi 2:8-9
But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts. / “So I in turn have made you despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not kept My ways, but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”

1 Samuel 2:30
Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.

2 Kings 17:15-18
They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate. / They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal. / They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire and practiced divination and soothsaying. They devoted themselves to doing evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger. ...

Isaiah 1:2-4
Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me. / The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.” / Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.

Philippians 3:18-19
For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. / Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ...

Ezekiel 16:15-22
But because of your fame, you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot. You lavished your favors on everyone who passed by, and your beauty was theirs for the asking. / You took some of your garments and made colorful high places for yourself, and on them you prostituted yourself. Such things should not have happened; never should they have occurred! / You also took the fine jewelry of gold and silver I had given you, and you made male idols with which to prostitute yourself. ...

Deuteronomy 32:15
But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked—becoming fat, bloated, and gorged. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation.

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

1 Corinthians 1:19-21
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? / For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

Isaiah 5:20-24
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. / Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. / Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and champions in mixing strong drink, ...

Jeremiah 5:30-31
A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land. / The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?

2 Peter 2:1-3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.


Treasury of Scripture

As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

they were.

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.

Hosea 5:1
Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.

Hosea 6:9
And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.

therefore.

1 Samuel 2:30
Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

Jeremiah 2:26,27
As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets, …

Malachi 2:9
Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.

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Abundance Change Changed Disgraceful Exchanged Glory Honour Increased Increasing Multiplied Priests Shame Sinned Sinning Something
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Hosea 4
1. God denounces judgments on Israel, for their aggravated impieties and iniquities.
12. He exposes the ignorance and wickedness of the priests,
13. and moral dissolution of the people,
14. he will leave their wives and daughters to commit lewdness, without present punishment.
15. He warns Judah, not to imitate Israel's crimes, which are still further reproved.














The more they multiplied
This phrase refers to the increase in population and prosperity of the Israelites. In the Hebrew context, "multiplied" (רָבָה, rabah) often signifies not just numerical growth but also an increase in blessings and abundance. Historically, Israel experienced periods of prosperity, especially under kings like Jeroboam II. However, this growth led to complacency and moral decline. The increase in numbers and wealth should have been a cause for gratitude and devotion to God, but instead, it became a catalyst for spiritual decay.

the more they sinned against Me
The Hebrew word for "sinned" (חָטָא, chata) implies missing the mark or failing to live up to God's standards. As the Israelites grew in number and wealth, their spiritual fidelity diminished. This reflects a recurring biblical theme where material prosperity often leads to spiritual complacency and rebellion. The phrase underscores the tragic irony that blessings intended to draw people closer to God instead led them further away.

they exchanged their Glory
"Glory" (כָּבוֹד, kavod) in this context refers to the honor and presence of God among His people. The Israelites were chosen to reflect God's glory to the nations, but they traded this divine privilege for idolatry and immorality. This exchange is reminiscent of Romans 1:23, where humanity trades the glory of the immortal God for images. The historical context reveals that Israel often turned to the gods of surrounding nations, forsaking their unique relationship with Yahweh.

for a thing of disgrace
The "thing of disgrace" (בֹּשֶׁת, boshet) signifies idols and false gods, which are shameful compared to the living God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, idolatry was not just a religious act but a cultural norm. However, for Israel, it was a betrayal of their covenant with God. The disgrace lies in the futility and emptiness of idols, which cannot compare to the glory and power of the true God. This phrase serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God to pursue worthless things.

(7, 8) The increase in numbers and prosperity probably refers to the priesthood, who, as they grew in numbers, became more alienated from the true God. These eat up, or fatten on, the very sins they ought to rebuke. The reference here may be either to the portion of sacrificial offerings which fell to the share of the priests, or (less probably) to the sin-money and trespass-money exacted in place of sin-offerings of 2Kings 12:16. (On the general condition of the priesthood at this time, see W. R. Smith, Prophets of Israel pp. 99-101.)

Verses 7, 8. - As they were increased; rather, multiplied. Whether כְּרֻבָּם be taken as infinitive with suffix and prefix, or as a noun, it will amount to the same. The reference is rather to the multitude of the population than to the greatness of their prosperity or the abundance of their wealth. In the latter sense it is understood by the Chaldee paraphrase, but in the former by the Syriac translator. So also Kimchi, where he says, "As for Aaron the priest their father, the Law of truth was in his mouth; but now that his sons have multiplied and spread abroad, they have sinned against me and forgotten my law; according as I did them good they did evil." He also gives as the explanation of others, "As I increased them in wealth and riches, they sinned against me." Their glory will I change into shame. The "therefore" of the Authorized Version is inserted unnecessarily. Both the Chaldee and Syriac render, "And they changed their glory into shame;" as they took אָמִיר for the infinitive הָמִיר, and that in the sense of the preterit; or the infinitive in the gerundival sense: "changing their glory into shame." Kimchi explains the meaning correctly: "Therefore I made them beads over the people and expiators, yet if they do not observe my Law I will change their glory into shame; and the people will contemn and despise them." Their numbers multiplied with the multiplication of idols, and the apostasy of the people kept pace with both; and now as a fit punishment they are to be deprived of their priestly glory - their dignity and splendor. They eat up the sin of my people. The word חַטַּאה may be understood in either of two senses; and the meaning of the verse will correspond thereto. It may either mean that these faithless priests lived upon the sin of the people, deriving their livelihood and profit from the people's idolatrous practices; or that they were delighted with their sin, approving rather than reproving them for the same. The other explanation understands the word of sin offering, and is thus expressed by Kimchi: "They are only priests for eating up the sin and trespass offering which the people offer on account of sins, not for teaching the Law or right way." To their iniquity they lift up (each one) his soul. They set their heart upon and eagerly desire the continued practice of sin on the part of the people that they may profit by the sacrifices. Thus Kimchi explains this clause in accordance with his exposition of the former: "The priests lift up every one his soul to the sin of the people, saying, When will they sin, and bring sin offering and trespass offering that we may eat?"

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The more they multiplied,
כְּרֻבָּ֖ם (kə·rub·bām)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

the more they sinned
חָֽטְאוּ־ (ḥā·ṭə·’ū-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

against Me;
לִ֑י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

they exchanged
אָמִֽיר׃ (’ā·mîr)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4171: To alter, to barter, to dispose of

their Glory
כְּבוֹדָ֖ם (kə·ḇō·w·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3519: Weight, splendor, copiousness

for a thing of disgrace.
בְּקָל֥וֹן (bə·qā·lō·wn)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7036: Disgrace, the pudenda


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OT Prophets: Hosea 4:7 As they were multiplied so they sinned (Ho Hs Hos.)
Hosea 4:6
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