And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all.

HOSEA 5:2KJV
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Hosea 5:2 (KJV)

What does Hosea 5:2 mean?

Hosea 5:2 says that those who have rebelled are deeply involved in wrongdoing, especially in causing harm or violence, even though God has warned and corrected all of them. The verse highlights how far the people have gone in their rebellion, despite God’s repeated efforts to call them back.

In this verse, the prophet Hosea is speaking God’s message to the people of Israel, especially their leaders. The situation is one where the nation has turned away from God, and some are described as being especially cunning or deeply committed to their wrongdoing. God, through Hosea, points out that He has not been silent—He has confronted and rebuked them all for their actions.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 5:2

  • "revolters" (סָטִים, satim): This word refers to those who turn aside or rebel, not just passive sinners but people actively choosing a different path. It emphasizes intentional disobedience.
  • "profound" (שָׁחֲתוּ, shachatu): This word often means to go deep or to be deeply involved. Here, it shows the rebels are not just making mistakes, but are deeply committed to their harmful actions.
  • "slaughter" (שָׁחַט, shachat): This word means to kill or slaughter, often used for violent acts. It underscores the seriousness of what the rebels are doing.
  • "rebuker" (מוּסָר, musar): This word means someone who corrects or disciplines. God is saying He has acted as a corrector or disciplinarian to all, showing His ongoing involvement and concern.

Why Hosea 5:2 matters

  • Hosea 5:2 makes clear that rebellion in Israel was not shallow or accidental, but deep and intentional, especially among certain leaders or groups.
  • The verse shows that God’s warnings and corrections were not lacking; the people’s continued wrongdoing was in spite of God’s active efforts to bring them back.
  • This verse connects to the wider theme in Hosea of God’s persistent call to repentance and the people’s stubborn refusal, highlighting the seriousness of their spiritual condition.

Where else these words appear

“profound” Hebrew H6009 · used in 9 verses

  • Psalms 92:5 O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.
  • Isaiah 29:15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
  • Jeremiah 49:8 Flee ye, turn back, dwell deep, O inhabitants of Dedan; for I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time that I will visit him.

“rebuker” Hebrew H4148 · used in 50 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:2 And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm,
  • Proverbs 7:22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
  • Proverbs 23:12 Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.

“slaughter” Hebrew H7819 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
  • Leviticus 9:8 Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.
  • 2 Kings 10:7 And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel.