Hosea 5:4 Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God, for a spirit of prostitution is within them, and they do not know the LORD.

◄ Hosea 5:4 ►

New International Version
“Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the LORD.

New Living Translation
Your deeds won’t let you return to your God. You are a prostitute through and through, and you do not know the LORD.

English Standard Version
Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. For the spirit of whoredom is within them, and they know not the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God, for a spirit of prostitution is within them, and they do not know the LORD.

King James Bible
They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.

New King James Version
“They do not direct their deeds Toward turning to their God, For the spirit of harlotry is in their midst, And they do not know the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
Their deeds will not allow them To return to their God. For a spirit of infidelity is within them, And they do not know the LORD.

NASB 1995
Their deeds will not allow them To return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them, And they do not know the LORD.

NASB 1977
Their deeds will not allow them To return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them, And they do not know the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
Their deeds will not allow them To return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them, And they do not know Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
Their [immoral] practices will not permit them To return to their God, For the spirit of prostitution is within them And they do not know the LORD [they do not recognize, appreciate, heed or cherish Him].

Christian Standard Bible
Their actions do not allow them to return to their God, for a spirit of promiscuity is among them, and they do not know the LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Their actions do not allow them to return to their God, for a spirit of promiscuity is among them, and they do not know the LORD.

American Standard Version
Their doings will not suffer them to turn unto their God; for the spirit of whoredom is within them, and they know not Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Your evil deeds are the reason you won't return to me, your LORD God. And your constant craving for sex keeps you from knowing me.

English Revised Version
Their doings will not suffer them to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredom is within them, and they know not the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"The wicked things that the people have done keep them from returning to their God. They have a spirit of prostitution, and they don't know the LORD.

Good News Translation
The evil that the people have done keeps them from returning to their God. Idolatry has a powerful hold on them, and they do not acknowledge the LORD.

International Standard Version
"Their actions hinder them from turning to their God, because a spirit of fornication is in their midst, and the LORD they do not know.

Majority Standard Bible
Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God, for a spirit of prostitution is within them, and they do not know the LORD.

NET Bible
Their wicked deeds do not allow them to return to their God; because a spirit of idolatry controls their heart, and they do not acknowledge the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
Their deeds won't allow them to turn to their God; for the spirit of prostitution is within them, and they do not know the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
They will not frame their doings to turn to their God: for the spirit of lewdness is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.

World English Bible
Their deeds won’t allow them to turn to their God, for the spirit of prostitution is within them, and they don’t know Yahweh.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
They do not give up their habitual doings, "" To turn back to their God, "" For a spirit of whoredoms [is] in their midst, "" And YHWH they have not known.

Young's Literal Translation
They give not up their habitual doings, To turn back unto their God, For a spirit of whoredoms is in their midst, And Jehovah they have not known.

Smith's Literal Translation
They will not give their doings to turn back to their God, for the spirit of fornication is in the midst of them, and they knew not Jehovah.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
They will not set their thoughts to return to their God: for the spirit of fornication is in the midst of them, and they have not known the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
They will not set their thoughts to return to their God, for the spirit of fornication is in the midst of them, and they have not known the Lord.

New American Bible
Their deeds do not allow them to return to their God; For the spirit of prostitution is in them, and they do not know the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. For the spirit of whoredom is within them, and they do not know the LORD.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Their evil devices will not permit them to turn to their God; for the spirit of whoredom is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Their devices do not let them turn to their God because of the spirit of fornication within them, and they have not known LORD JEHOVAH

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Their doings will not suffer them To return unto their God; For the spirit of harlotry is within them, And they know not the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
They have not framed their counsels to return to their God, for the spirit of fornication is in them, and they have not known the Lord.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

God's Judgment on Israel and Judah
…3I know all about Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me. For now, O Ephraim, you have turned to prostitution; Israel is defiled. 4Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God, for a spirit of prostitution is within them, and they do not know the LORD. 5Israel’s arrogance testifies against them; Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; even Judah stumbles with them.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Jeremiah 5:23
But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned aside and gone away.

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

Ezekiel 14:3
“Son of man, these men have set up idols in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I consult with them in any way?

Jeremiah 6:10
To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me? Look, their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. See, the word of the LORD has become offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.

Isaiah 1:4
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.

Ezekiel 11:19-21
And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh, / so that they may follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God. / But as for those whose hearts pursue detestable things and abominations, I will bring their conduct down upon their own heads, declares the Lord GOD.”

Jeremiah 7:24
Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.

Isaiah 48:8
You have never heard; you have never understood; for a long time your ears have not been open. For I knew how deceitful you are; you have been called a rebel from birth.

Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

Jeremiah 9:6
You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD.

Matthew 15:8-9
‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”

Romans 8:7-8
because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. / Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.

John 3:19-20
And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. / Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

Mark 7:21-23
For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

Romans 1:28-32
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ...

Treasury of Scripture

They will not frame their doings to turn to their God: for the spirit of prostitutions is in the middle of them, and they have not known the LORD.

They will not frame their doings.

Psalm 36:1-4
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes…

Psalm 78:8
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

John 3:19,20
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil…

for.

Hosea 4:12
My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.

Jeremiah 50:38
A drought is upon her waters; and they shall be dried up: for it is the land of graven images, and they are mad upon their idols.

and.

Hosea 4:1
Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

1 Samuel 2:12
Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.

Psalm 9:10
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

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Hosea 5

1. The judgments of God are denounced against the priests, people, and princes,
9. both of Israel and Judah, for their manifold sins.
15. An intimation is given of mercy on their repentance.

Berean Study Bible

Their deeds
The phrase "Their deeds" refers to the actions and behaviors of the Israelites, which are central to the message of Hosea. In the Hebrew text, the word for "deeds" is "ma'asehem," which encompasses not only actions but also the moral and ethical implications of those actions. Historically, the Israelites were engaged in idolatry and social injustice, which were seen as direct violations of their covenant with God. This phrase serves as a reminder that God is deeply concerned with how His people live out their faith in tangible ways.

do not permit them
The phrase "do not permit them" indicates a restriction or hindrance. In the context of Hosea, it suggests that the Israelites' sinful actions have created a barrier between them and God. The Hebrew root "natan" can mean to give or allow, but here it is used in the negative form, implying that their own choices have led to a spiritual incapacity. This serves as a warning that sin can have a binding effect, preventing individuals from experiencing the fullness of a relationship with God.

to return to their God
"To return to their God" speaks to the concept of repentance, which is a central theme in the book of Hosea. The Hebrew word "shuv" means to turn back or return, indicating a change of direction. Historically, the Israelites were called to return to Yahweh, the one true God, from whom they had strayed. This phrase underscores the idea that despite their waywardness, God desires reconciliation and is always ready to welcome back those who repent.

For a spirit of prostitution
The phrase "For a spirit of prostitution" uses the metaphor of prostitution to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God. The Hebrew word "zenunim" refers to harlotry or whoredom, symbolizing spiritual adultery. This metaphor is powerful in its imagery, illustrating how Israel has been unfaithful by worshiping other gods. It serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of idolatry and the spiritual consequences of turning away from God.

is in their midst
"Is in their midst" indicates that the spirit of unfaithfulness is not just an external influence but is deeply embedded within the community. The Hebrew word "qereb" means inward part or midst, suggesting that this unfaithfulness is pervasive and internalized. This phrase highlights the depth of Israel's spiritual crisis, emphasizing that the problem is not just individual but communal, affecting the entire nation.

and they do not know the LORD
The phrase "and they do not know the LORD" points to a lack of intimate knowledge and relationship with God. The Hebrew word "yada" means to know, often implying a deep, personal, and experiential knowledge. In the biblical context, to know the LORD is to be in a covenant relationship with Him, characterized by love, obedience, and faithfulness. This phrase indicates that Israel's spiritual adultery has led to a profound ignorance of God, underscoring the tragic consequences of their unfaithfulness.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) The margin, "Their deeds will not suffer (them)," requires the introduction of the word "them," not in the Hebrew. It is favoured by the Jewish commentators, Schmoller, and others, but it is better to render, with the Authorised version, They frame not their doings, &c. The knowledge of the only true God is life.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 4. - In this verse their evil doings are traced to an evil spirit of whoredoms that is, of idolatries, which impels them blindly and resistlessly to evil, while at the same time it expels the knowledge of God. The first clause is differently rendered. The textual rendering of the Authorized Version, viz. they will not frame (literally, give, direct) their doings to turn unto their God, denotes their total and absolute refusal to repent or to bring forth fruits meet for repentance. The actions are an index of the state of the heart, but neither the thoughts of Israel at this time, nor their deeds which indicated these thoughts, were in the direction of repentance. In heart and life they were impenitent. This rendering is supported by most of the Hebrew commentators. Rashi says, "They forsake not their evil way;" Aben Ezra," They perform not works so as to turn." Kimchi also gives an alternative sense: "Or the sense of the words is thus: They cling so closely to their evil works, that even should they for once conceive in their heart the idea of turning, they immediately repent them of it." The marginal rendering also yields a good sense; it is, Their doings will not suffer (allow) [them] to turn unto their God. The pronominal suffix for "them" is wanting, yet it may be dispensed with, as the appending of it to "doings" and "God" makes the sense sufficiently explicit. It is favored by Ewald, Keil, the Targum, and Kimchi, who explains: "Their evil works do not allow them to return to their God, as if he said, To such extent have they multiplied transgression that there is no way left them to return, until they receive their punishment." Such and so great was the power of their evil habits that they could not break them off or break away from them by repentance; or so intimately connected is a change of heart with a change of life that, in the absence of the latter, the former is impossible. According to either rendering, the reason assigned is contained in the next clause: For the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the Lord. So overmastered were they, as though by some fiendish spirit that held them in check and exercised despotic power over them, that they rushed headlong down the steep incline, like the Gadarene herd of swine, which, when the unclean spirits entered into them, ran violently down a steep place into the sea. Neither was there any counteracting force to turn them back or reverse their course. Such a force might have been found in the knowledge of God, of his covenant mercy, of his power, love, grace, and goodrich. But this was wanting, and the absence of this knowledge at once increased their impenitence and aggravated their guilt. It was Israel's privilege and Israel's duty to know the Lord; for he had revealed himself to them as to no other nation; he had given them his Law, he had made them depositaries of his truth and the conservators of his living oracles; their ignorance, therefore, was altogether inexcusable, while it evinced greatest ingratitude to Jehovah, who had taken them into covenant with himself, and declared himself to be their God.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Their deeds
מַ֣עַלְלֵיהֶ֔ם (ma·‘al·lê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4611: A deed, practice

do not
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

permit them
יִתְּנוּ֙ (yit·tə·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to return
לָשׁ֖וּב (lā·šūḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

their God,
אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

a spirit
ר֤וּחַ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

of prostitution
זְנוּנִים֙ (zə·nū·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2183: Adultery, idolatry

is within them,
בְּקִרְבָּ֔ם (bə·qir·bām)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

and they do not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

know
יָדָֽעוּ׃ (yā·ḏā·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

the LORD.
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

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OT Prophets: Hosea 5:4 Their deeds won't allow them to turn (Ho Hs Hos.)