O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.

HOSEA 6:4KJV
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Hosea 6:4 (KJV)

What does Hosea 6:4 mean?

Hosea 6:4 presents God addressing Ephraim and Judah about the short life of their goodness. Their goodness appears, but does not remain. God’s repeated question, “what shall I do unto thee?” gives voice to the seriousness of the problem.

Ephraim refers to the northern kingdom of Israel, while Judah was the southern kingdom. The morning cloud and early dew picture things that are visible for a time but disappear as the day warms.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 6:4

  • “goodness” — חֶסֶד (ḥesed): This word can mean kindness or faithful love. Here it suggests a quality expressed in lasting loyalty, not simply a good feeling.
  • “do” — עָשָׂה (ʿasah): This common word means to do or act. Its repetition in the question to each kingdom gives both Ephraim and Judah their own place in God’s address.

Why Hosea 6:4 matters

  • God addresses both kingdoms. The separate questions to “Ephraim” and “Judah” show that the concern reaches beyond one part of the people.
  • The verse changes the speaker after the people’s words in Hosea 6:1–3. Their invitation to return to the Lord is followed by God’s question about their goodness.
  • Hosea 6:6 helps clarify what kind of goodness is at issue. God says, “I desired mercy, and not sacrifice,” linking his concern to how people live, rather than to offerings alone.

Where else these words appear

“dew” Hebrew H2919 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 27:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
  • Judges 6:38 And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
  • Proverbs 3:20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

“early” Hebrew H7925 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Judges 6:38 And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
  • 2 Chronicles 29:20 Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD.

“cloud” Hebrew H6051 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
  • Numbers 9:17 And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.
  • Job 26:9 He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it.