I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.

HOSEA 5:3KJV
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Hosea 5:3 (KJV)

What does Hosea 5:3 mean?

Hosea 5:3 means that God sees and knows everything about Ephraim (the leading tribe of the northern kingdom) and Israel; nothing is hidden from Him, including their unfaithfulness and moral corruption. God is declaring that their wrongdoing is fully exposed before Him, and He recognizes how deeply they have strayed.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Hosea to the people of the northern kingdom of Israel, using "Ephraim" as a representative name for the whole nation. The situation is one of spiritual unfaithfulness, often described as "whoredom," meaning the people have turned away from God to worship other gods. God’s statement highlights His complete awareness of their actions and the fact that their sins have made them "defiled" or spiritually unclean.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 5:3

  • "know" (יָדַע, yada‘): This word means more than just intellectual knowledge; it often carries the sense of intimate, personal awareness. Here, it stresses that God’s knowledge of Israel’s behavior is deep and thorough.
  • "hid" (כָּסָה, kasah): This word means to cover or conceal. God is saying that Israel cannot hide anything from Him, emphasizing His all-seeing nature.
  • "whoredom" (זָנָה, zanah): This word refers to unfaithfulness, especially in the sense of idolatry or spiritual adultery. It paints a vivid picture of Israel’s betrayal of their relationship with God.
  • "defiled" (טָמֵא, tame): This word means to be made unclean, especially in a ritual or moral sense. It shows that Israel’s actions have corrupted them in God’s eyes.

Why Hosea 5:3 matters

  • Hosea 5:3 clears up any idea that God is unaware or distant; it emphasizes that God’s knowledge of His people is personal and complete.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of Israel’s unfaithfulness, showing that their actions are not just mistakes but have made them spiritually "defiled."
  • This verse connects to the wider message of Hosea, where God repeatedly calls out Israel’s spiritual adultery and warns of the consequences, setting the stage for calls to repentance and restoration.

Where else these words appear

“hid” Hebrew H3582 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 47:18 When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands:
  • 2 Chronicles 32:21 And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
  • Psalms 78:4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

“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;

“defiled” Hebrew H2930 · used in 142 verses

  • Genesis 34:5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter: now his sons were with his cattle in the field: and Jacob held his peace until they were come.
  • Leviticus 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
  • Numbers 35:34 Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.