Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth— then my judgments go forth like the sun. New Living Translation I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces— to slaughter you with my words, with judgments as inescapable as light. English Standard Version Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light. Berean Standard Bible Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning. King James Bible Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. New King James Version Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And your judgments are like light that goes forth. New American Standard Bible Therefore I have cut them in pieces by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And the judgments on you are like the light that shines. NASB 1995 Therefore I have hewn them in pieces by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And the judgments on you are like the light that goes forth. NASB 1977 Therefore I have hewn them in pieces by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And the judgments on you are like the light that goes forth. Legacy Standard Bible Therefore I have hewn them in pieces by the prophets; I have killed them by the words of My mouth; And the judgments on you are like the light that goes forth. Amplified Bible Therefore, I have hewn them in pieces by [the words of] the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth; My judgments [pronounced upon them by the prophets] are like the light that shines forth [obvious to all]. Christian Standard Bible This is why I have used the prophets to cut them down; I have killed them with the words from my mouth. My judgment strikes like lightning. Holman Christian Standard Bible This is why I have used the prophets to cut them down; I have killed them with the words of My mouth. My judgment strikes like lightning. American Standard Version Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. Contemporary English Version That's why I slaughtered you with the words of my prophets. That's why my judgments blazed like the dawning sun. English Revised Version Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. GOD'S WORD® Translation That is why I cut [you] down by sending the prophets. I killed you with the words from my mouth. My judgments shined on you like light. Good News Translation That is why I have sent my prophets to you with my message of judgment and destruction. What I want from you is plain and clear: International Standard Version Therefore I cut them to pieces by the prophets, killing them by the words from my mouth. The verdict against you shines like a beacon. Majority Standard Bible Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning. NET Bible Therefore, I will certainly cut you into pieces at the hands of the prophets; I will certainly kill you in fulfillment of my oracles of judgment; for my judgment will come forth like the light of the dawn. New Heart English Bible Therefore I have cut them to pieces with the prophets; I killed them with the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light. Webster's Bible Translation Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. World English Bible Therefore I have cut them to pieces with the prophets; I killed them with the words of my mouth. Your judgments are like a flash of lightning. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionTherefore I have hewed by prophets, "" I have slain them by sayings of My mouth, "" And My judgments go forth to the light. Young's Literal Translation Therefore I have hewed by prophets, I have slain them by sayings of My mouth, And My judgments to the light goeth forth. Smith's Literal Translation For this I cut off by the prophets; I slew them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments the light going forth. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor this reason have I hewed them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments shall go forth as the light. Catholic Public Domain Version Because of this, I have cut them with the prophets, I have slain them with the words of my mouth; and your opinions will depart like the light. New American Bible For this reason I struck them down through the prophets, I killed them by the words of my mouth; my judgment shines forth like the light. New Revised Standard Version Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have killed them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTherefore have I cut off the prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth; and my judgments shall go forth as the light. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because of this, I have cut off the Prophets and I have killed them with the word of my mouth, and my judgment will come forth as the light OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And thy judgment goeth forth as the light. Brenton Septuagint Translation Therefore have I mown down your prophets; I have slain them with the word of my mouth: and my judgment shall go forth as the light. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Israel and Judah are Unrepentant…4What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes. 5Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning. 6For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.… Cross References Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?” Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Isaiah 55:11 so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple. John 12:48 There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. Isaiah 1:18-20 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. / If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. / But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ... Ezekiel 37:4-5 And He said to me, “Prophesy concerning these bones and tell them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! / This is what the Lord GOD says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will come to life. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. Psalm 19:7-11 The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. / The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. / The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous. ... Luke 11:28 But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Jeremiah 5:14 Therefore this is what the LORD God of Hosts says: “Because you have spoken this word, I will make My words a fire in your mouth and this people the wood it consumes. Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Proverbs 1:23 If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you. Treasury of Scripture Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and your judgments are as the light that goes forth. have I. 1 Samuel 13:13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 1 Kings 14:6 And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings. I have. 1 Kings 19:17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. Jeremiah 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? and thy judgments are as. Genesis 18:25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Job 34:10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. Psalm 37:6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Jump to Previous Cut Flash Flashed Forth Goes Hewed Hewn Judgment Judgments Killed Lightning Mouth Pieces Prophets Sayings Slain Stones Teaching WordsJump to Next Cut Flash Flashed Forth Goes Hewed Hewn Judgment Judgments Killed Lightning Mouth Pieces Prophets Sayings Slain Stones Teaching WordsHosea 6 1. Exhortations to repent and hope in God.4. A lamentation over those who had sinned after conviction. 5. Reproofs of obstinate sinners, and threats against them. Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets The word "hewn" in Hebrew is "חָצַב" (chatsab), which means to cut or carve. This imagery suggests a forceful and deliberate action, akin to a sculptor shaping stone. In the context of Hosea, God uses the prophets as instruments to shape and correct His people. The prophets, through their messages, were meant to cut away the sin and idolatry that had taken root in Israel. Historically, prophets like Hosea were sent to call Israel back to covenant faithfulness, often delivering messages that were sharp and convicting. This phrase underscores the seriousness with which God approaches the sin of His people, using His messengers to bring about necessary change. I have slain them by the words of My mouth and My judgments go forth like lightning Thy judgments . . .--An error has crept here into the Masoretic text from which the LXX. and other ancient versions are free. The mistake consists in misplacing an initial letter as a final one. Translate, My judgment shall go forth as the light, clear, victorious, and beneficent. (Comp. the language of Psalm 37:6 and Isaiah 62:1-2.) Verses 5, 6. - The consequence of Israel's unsteadiness and inconstancy is here stated. Because of the fluctuating and formal nature of their religiousness, God cut them down (instead of rearing them up) through his prophets by fierce denunciations, and slew them (instead of reviving them) by the Divine word. The judgment of Jehovah went forth as the lightning-fish, or was as clear and conspicuous for justice as the light of day. Neither could outward services expiate their sins, when the proper feelings and meet fruits were absent. I have hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth. The language is figurative - the first clause seems borrowed from hewing hard wood and shaping it so as to assume the required form; so God dealt with Israel to bring them into shape morally symmetrical, and make them correspond to the character of a holy people. The slaying is metaphorical, and consisted in the denunciation of death and destruction to the impenitent; in this way he killed, but did not make alive. A different rendering of the clause is given by the LXX. and also by Aben Ezra; the former has, "Therefore have I mown down your prophets; I have slain them with the word of my mouth;" the latter has, "The sense is that he slew some of the prophets who misled the people so that they did not turn (repent)." But be does not imply his hewing in among the prophets; it is instrumental. And thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. The judgments here spoken of are the Divine judgments denounced against, or inflicted on, the people. Another reading has the pronominal suffix of the first person: "My judgment goeth forth as the light;" to which the Septuagint corresponds: κρίμα μου, equivalent to "my judgment." I desired mercy (or, mercy I delight in)... and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. The former is the right state of the life, the latter the correct condition of the heart; the former manifests itself in practice, the latter embraces the proper feelings and affections; the former is seen in works of charity and benevolence, the latter consists in right motives and the right relation of the soul to God. The Hebrew form of speech here used denotes inferior importance, not the negation of importance. A similar sentiment occurs in 1 Samuel 15:22, "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." Parallel statements are found in Isaiah 1:11-17; Psalm 40:7-9 and Psalm 50:8; also in Micah 6:8. Our Lord cites the first clause of ver. 6 twice - once against Pharisaic ceremonialism (Matthew 9:13), and again against rigorous sabbatarianism (Matthew 12:7); while there is an allusion to it in Mark 12:33, where love to God and to one's neighbor is declared to be better, or "more than, whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." Sacrifices in themselves, and when offered at the proper time and place, and as the expressions of penitent hearts and pure hands, were acceptable, and could not be otherwise, for God himself had appointed them. But soulless sacrifices offered by men steeped in sin were an abomination to the Lord; it was of such he said, "I cannot away with" them. It is to such that the prophet refers here, as is plain from the following verse.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Thereforeעַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against I have hewn [them] חָצַ֙בְתִּי֙ (ḥā·ṣaḇ·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 2672: To cut, carve, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave by the prophets; בַּנְּבִיאִ֔ים (ban·nə·ḇî·’îm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet I have slain them הֲרַגְתִּ֖ים (hă·raḡ·tîm) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent by the words בְּאִמְרֵי־ (bə·’im·rê-) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 561: Something said of My mouth, פִ֑י (p̄î) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to and My judgments וּמִשְׁפָּטֶ֖יךָ (ū·miš·pā·ṭe·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style go forth יֵצֵֽא׃ (yê·ṣê) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim like lightning. א֥וֹר (’ō·wr) Noun - common singular Strong's 216: Illumination, luminary Links Hosea 6:5 NIVHosea 6:5 NLT Hosea 6:5 ESV Hosea 6:5 NASB Hosea 6:5 KJV Hosea 6:5 BibleApps.com Hosea 6:5 Biblia Paralela Hosea 6:5 Chinese Bible Hosea 6:5 French Bible Hosea 6:5 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Hosea 6:5 Therefore I have cut them to pieces (Ho Hs Hos.) |
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