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 4:10KJV
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Hosea 4:10 (KJV)

What does Hosea 4:10 mean?

Hosea 4:10 says that the people will eat but never be satisfied, and they will seek relationships outside of marriage but will not grow in number, because they have stopped paying attention to the LORD. The verse points to a sense of emptiness and frustration as a result of turning away from God.

In this verse, the prophet Hosea is speaking God’s message to the people of Israel, warning them about the consequences of their unfaithfulness. The people have abandoned listening to the LORD, and as a result, even their basic needs and desires—like food and family—are left unfulfilled. This verse highlights the direct link between Israel’s spiritual choices and the struggles they are experiencing.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 4:10

  • "Eat" (אָכַל, 'akal, H398) means to consume food. Here, it emphasizes that even though the people physically eat, their hunger is never truly satisfied, pointing to a deeper problem than just food shortage.
  • "Enough" (שָׂבַע, sava', H7646) means to be satisfied or filled. The verse uses this word to show that satisfaction is missing, not just food itself.
  • "Whoredom" (זָנָה, zanah, H2181) refers to unfaithfulness, often used for both literal prostitution and spiritual unfaithfulness to God. Hosea uses it to describe Israel’s pursuit of other gods and breaking of covenant.
  • "Increase" (פָּרַץ, parats, H6555) means to grow or multiply. The verse says they will not "increase," meaning their families and nation will not prosper as expected.
  • "Off" (עָזַב, 'azav, H5800) means to leave or abandon. Israel has left off paying attention to God, which is the root cause of their troubles.
  • "Heed" (שָׁמַר, shamar, H8104) means to keep, guard, or pay attention. The people have stopped guarding or observing God’s ways.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH, H3068) is God’s personal name, reminding the reader that this is about relationship with the God of Israel.

Why Hosea 4:10 matters

  • Hosea 4:10 clears up the idea that physical actions alone—like eating or seeking relationships—can bring fulfillment; the verse shows that spiritual faithfulness is deeply connected to satisfaction in life.
  • The verse emphasizes that Israel’s problems are not just bad luck or natural disasters, but are tied to their decision to stop listening to God.
  • Hosea 4:10 connects to the wider message of Hosea, where the prophet repeatedly warns that turning away from God leads to emptiness and loss, both spiritually and practically.

Where else these words appear

“increase” Hebrew H6555 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
  • 2 Kings 14:13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
  • Nehemiah 4:7 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,

“whoredom” Hebrew H2181 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 34:31 And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?
  • 1 Kings 3:16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.
  • Ezekiel 16:30 How weak is thine heart, saith the Lord GOD, seeing thou doest all these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman;

“enough” Hebrew H7646 · used in 92 verses

  • Exodus 16:8 And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.
  • Psalms 88:3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.
  • Ecclesiastes 4:8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.