Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.

HOSEA 6:5KJV
Know the Bible

Hosea 6:5 (KJV)

What does Hosea 6:5 mean?

Hosea 6:5 describes how God has used His prophets to deliver strong warnings and judgments to the people, cutting them down with His words and making His judgments clear and unmistakable, like light shining out. The verse shows that God's warnings through the prophets are powerful and meant to bring people back to what is right.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Hosea to the people of Israel, who have been unfaithful and stubborn. The language of "hewing" and "slaying" by words emphasizes how serious and sharp God's messages have been, not to destroy physically but to confront their wrongdoing. The mention of judgments shining like light means God's standards and decisions are obvious and cannot be hidden.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 6:5

  • "hewed" (חָצַב, chatsav): This word means to cut or carve, often used for shaping stone or wood. Here, it paints a picture of God shaping or correcting His people through the prophets, showing the force and intention behind His messages.
  • "slain" (הָרַג, harag): This word means to kill or slay. In this context, it is figurative, describing how God's words through the prophets are so powerful they are like a sword, cutting to the heart.
  • "judgments" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): This word refers to decisions or rulings. It highlights that God's actions are not random anger but are based on justice and rightness.
  • "light" (אוֹר, or): Light here stands for something clear, open, and unmistakable. God's judgments are not hidden or confusing; they are as plain as daylight.

Why Hosea 6:5 matters

  • Hosea 6:5 clears up the idea that God's warnings are gentle or easy to ignore; instead, they are forceful and meant to get the people's attention.
  • The verse shows that God's judgments are not secret or mysterious—they are as clear as light, so the people cannot claim ignorance.
  • This verse ties into the wider message of Hosea, where God repeatedly uses strong language to call His people back, showing both His seriousness about justice and His desire for their return.

Where else these words appear

“hewed” Hebrew H2672 · used in 22 verses

  • Deuteronomy 6:11 And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;
  • 2 Chronicles 2:18 And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.
  • Proverbs 9:1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

“words” Hebrew H561 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 49:21 Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words.
  • Job 33:3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
  • Proverbs 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

“light” Hebrew H216 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
  • Job 36:30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
  • Isaiah 5:30 And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.