They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

HOSEA 10:4KJV
Know the Bible

Hosea 10:4 (KJV)

What does Hosea 10:4 mean?

Hosea 10:4 says that the people have made empty promises and false oaths when making agreements, so judgment and trouble have spread everywhere, like poisonous weeds growing in a plowed field. The verse uses the image of hemlock to show how the consequences of dishonesty and broken covenants have become widespread and harmful.

The prophet Hosea is speaking to the people of Israel, warning them about the results of their unfaithfulness to God and to each other. In their society, making covenants and swearing oaths were serious matters, but here, their words are empty and their promises false. The verse paints a vivid picture: just as hemlock (a toxic plant) can take over a field, so too has injustice and corruption spread throughout the land because of their deceit.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 10:4

  • "Hemlock" (רֹאשׁ, rosh): This word refers to a poisonous plant, often used in the Bible as a symbol for bitterness or something harmful. Its use here shows that the results of Israel’s false promises are not just bad, but actively toxic to the community.
  • "Judgment" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): This word usually means justice or a legal decision. Here, it is not true justice that is spreading, but a corrupted form—judgment that brings harm rather than fairness.
  • "Swearing" (שָׁבַע, shava): This word means to take an oath. In this verse, the people are swearing falsely, which highlights their lack of integrity and the seriousness of breaking sworn agreements.

Why Hosea 10:4 matters

  • Hosea 10:4 clears up that the problem is not just broken promises, but the deep harm caused when leaders and people treat covenants lightly, spreading injustice like a weed.
  • The verse emphasizes that dishonesty in public and private life has real, damaging effects on society, not just on individuals.
  • This verse connects to Hosea’s larger message: Israel’s troubles are not random but are the direct result of turning away from truth and faithfulness, both to God and to each other.

Where else these words appear

“furrows” Hebrew H8525 · used in 5 verses

  • Job 31:38 If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain;
  • Job 39:10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
  • Psalms 65:10 Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.

“swearing” Hebrew H422 · used in 6 verses

  • Judges 17:2 And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my son.
  • 1 Samuel 14:24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:22 If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house;

“hemlock” Hebrew H7219 · used in 12 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:18 Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;
  • Job 20:16 He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.
  • Jeremiah 23:15 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.

“up” Hebrew H6524 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 40:10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes:
  • Numbers 17:5 And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.
  • Isaiah 17:11 In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.