They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.

HOSEA 7:3KJV
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Hosea 7:3 (KJV)

What does Hosea 7:3 mean?

Hosea 7:3 describes a society where wrongdoing reaches the royal court and finds a welcome there. The king and his officials take pleasure in the people’s wickedness and lies, rather than standing apart from them.

Hosea speaks these words as part of God’s accusation against Israel. Coming after the warning in verse 2 that God remembers their deeds, the verse exposes the gap between what pleases the rulers and what God sees.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 7:3

  • “wickedness” — רַע (raʿ): The word can describe evil or harmful behavior. Here it gives a broad name to the conduct that pleases the king, alongside the more specific mention of lies.
  • “princes” — שַׂר (sar): This word can refer to an official or leader, not only to a king’s son. The verse points to people in positions of authority around the king.

Why Hosea 7:3 matters

  • The verse presents corruption as something shared between people and rulers. The people bring “wickedness” and “lies,” while the king and princes receive them gladly.
  • Deception is part of the accusation against Israel. The word “lies” links the royal court to the false dealing described earlier in Hosea 7:1.
  • The court’s pleasure is set against God’s judgment. The surrounding passage says God sees the people’s deeds, even while their rulers welcome them.

Where else these words appear

“lies” Hebrew H3585 · used in 6 verses

  • Job 16:8 And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.
  • Psalms 59:12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
  • Hosea 11:12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.

“glad” Hebrew H8055 · used in 145 verses

  • Exodus 4:14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
  • Psalms 33:21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
  • Proverbs 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.