Hosea 7:5
The princes are inflamed with wine on the day of our king; so he joins hands with those who mock him.
On the day of our king
This phrase refers to a specific occasion, likely a royal celebration or feast day, which was common in ancient Israelite culture. The "day of our king" could be a coronation, a birthday, or another significant event. Historically, such days were marked by festivities and revelry. The Hebrew word for "day" (יוֹם, yom) often signifies a time of judgment or significant event. In this context, it suggests a time when the king should be leading with wisdom and righteousness, yet the opposite occurs.

the princes become inflamed with wine
The term "inflamed" (חָמַם, chamam) in Hebrew conveys a sense of being heated or enflamed, often used metaphorically for passion or intoxication. The princes, who are supposed to be leaders and examples of sobriety and wisdom, are instead overtaken by wine. This reflects a broader theme in Hosea of moral and spiritual decay among Israel's leaders. Wine, in biblical times, was a symbol of joy and blessing but also of excess and moral failure when abused. The imagery here is one of leaders losing control, succumbing to indulgence rather than fulfilling their duties.

and he joins hands
The act of joining hands (יָד, yad) is a gesture of agreement or alliance. In the biblical context, it often signifies a covenant or partnership. Here, it implies that the king is aligning himself with those who are not in his best interest, showing a lack of discernment and wisdom. This phrase highlights the king's failure to maintain integrity and righteousness, choosing instead to associate with those who lead him astray.

with those who mock him
The word "mock" (לָצוֹן, latson) in Hebrew suggests scorn or derision. Those who mock the king are likely his political adversaries or those who do not respect his authority. This phrase underscores the king's vulnerability and poor judgment, as he aligns himself with individuals who do not have his or the nation's best interests at heart. In a broader spiritual sense, it reflects Israel's tendency to turn away from God and align with foreign nations or idols, leading to their downfall.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The King
The ruler of Israel during Hosea's time, likely representing the leadership that has turned away from God.

2. Princes
The leaders or nobles of Israel who are depicted as indulging in excess and folly.

3. Inflamed with Wine
A metaphor for indulgence and lack of self-control, leading to poor judgment.

4. Mockers
Those who scorn or ridicule, possibly foreign allies or internal dissenters who do not respect the king.

5. Hosea
The prophet delivering God's message, calling out the moral and spiritual decay of Israel.
Teaching Points
The Dangers of Excess
The passage highlights the dangers of indulgence, particularly with alcohol, which can lead to poor decision-making and moral compromise.

Leadership Accountability
Leaders are held to a higher standard and their actions can have widespread consequences. The behavior of the princes serves as a warning.

Influence of Companions
The king's association with mockers shows the importance of choosing companions wisely, as they can lead one astray.

Spiritual Vigilance
Believers are called to remain spiritually vigilant and not be lulled into complacency by worldly pleasures.

Repentance and Return
Hosea's message is ultimately one of repentance, urging Israel to return to God and forsake their sinful ways.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the behavior of the princes in Hosea 7:5 reflect the spiritual state of Israel at the time?

2. In what ways can indulgence in worldly pleasures lead to poor decision-making in our own lives?

3. How can we apply the principle of choosing our companions wisely, as seen in the king's association with mockers?

4. What steps can we take to ensure that we are spiritually vigilant and not swayed by the excesses of the world?

5. How does the call to repentance in Hosea relate to the New Testament teachings on repentance and returning to God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 20:1
This verse warns about the deceptive nature of wine and strong drink, which aligns with the behavior of the princes in Hosea 7:5.

Isaiah 28:7
Describes leaders who err through wine, similar to the princes in Hosea, leading to poor leadership and judgment.

Ephesians 5:18
Advises believers not to be drunk with wine, but to be filled with the Spirit, contrasting the behavior seen in Hosea 7:5.
Sins of Court and CountryC. Jerdan Hosea 7:1-7
The Oven and the BakerJ. Orr Hosea 7:3-7
People
Hosea
Places
Assyria, Egypt, Samaria
Topics
Bottles, Drawn, Hands, Heat, Ill, Inflamed, Joined, Joins, Mockers, Poison, Polluted, Pride, Princes, Rulers, Scoffers, Scorners, Sick, Stretched, Stretcheth, Themselves, Wine
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Hosea 7:5

     5156   hand
     8782   mockery

Hosea 7:3-5

     4544   wine

Library
October 6. "Ephraim, He Hath Mixed Himself" (Hos. vii. 8).
"Ephraim, he hath mixed himself" (Hos. vii. 8). It is a great thing to learn to take God first, and then He can afford to give us everything else, without the fear of its hurting us. As long as you want anything very much, especially more than you want God, it is an idol. But when you become satisfied with God, everything else so loses its charm that He can give it to you without harm, and then you can take just as much as you choose, and use it for His glory. There is no harm whatever in having
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Inconsideration Deplored. Rev. Joshua Priestley.
"And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness."--HOSEA vii. 2. Is it possible for any man to conceive of truths more fitted to arrest the attention and impress the heart than are those contained in this volume? It has been said that if a blank book had been put into our hands, and every one of us had been asked to put into it the promises we should like to find there, we could not have employed language so explicit, so expressive, and so suited to all our varied wants,
Knowles King—The Wesleyan Methodist Pulpit in Malvern

Prayer to the Most High
"Lord, teach us to pray."--Luke xi. 1. "They return, but not to the Most High."--Hos. vii. 16. THE Most High. The High and Lofty One, That inhabiteth eternity, whose Name is Holy. The King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the Only Wise God. The Blessed and Only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords: Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto: Whom no man hath seen, nor can see. Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty: just and true are Thy
Alexander Whyte—Lord Teach Us To Pray

On the Animals
The birds are the saints, because they fly to the higher heart; in the gospel: and he made great branches that the birds of the air might live in their shade. [Mark 4:32] Flying is the death of the saints in God or the knowledge of the Scriptures; in the psalm: I shall fly and I shall be at rest. [Ps. 54(55):7 Vulgate] The wings are the two testaments; in Ezekiel: your body will fly with two wings of its own. [Ez. 1:23] The feathers are the Scriptures; in the psalm: the wings of the silver dove.
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

Book vii. On the Useful or the Ordinary
The bread is Christ or conversation of the Lord; in the gospel: I am the living bread. [John 6:41] The wine is the same as above; in Solomon: and drink this wine, which I have blended for you. [Prov. 9:5] Olive oil is mercy or the Holy Spirit; in the psalm: I have anointed him with my holy oil. The same in another part: Let not the oil of the sinner, that is, admiration, touch my head. [Ps. 88(89):21(20); Ps. 140(141):5] Pork is sin; in the psalm: they are sated with pork. [Ps. 16(17):14 (unknown
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Seventh Commandment
Thou shalt not commit adultery.' Exod 20: 14. God is a pure, holy spirit, and has an infinite antipathy against all uncleanness. In this commandment he has entered his caution against it; non moechaberis, Thou shalt not commit adultery.' The sum of this commandment is, The preservations of corporal purity. We must take heed of running on the rock of uncleanness, and so making shipwreck of our chastity. In this commandment there is something tacitly implied, and something expressly forbidden. 1. The
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Hosea
The book of Hosea divides naturally into two parts: i.-iii. and iv.-xiv., the former relatively clear and connected, the latter unusually disjointed and obscure. The difference is so unmistakable that i.-iii. have usually been assigned to the period before the death of Jeroboam II, and iv.-xiv. to the anarchic period which succeeded. Certainly Hosea's prophetic career began before the end of Jeroboam's reign, as he predicts the fall of the reigning dynasty, i. 4, which practically ended with Jeroboam's
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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