In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners.

HOSEA 7:5KJV
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Hosea 7:5 (KJV)

What does Hosea 7:5 mean?

Hosea 7:5 describes a day when Israel’s leaders, including the king and princes, are indulging in heavy drinking, leading to foolishness and poor judgment. The verse shows the king joining with mockers, suggesting the nation’s rulers are behaving irresponsibly and aligning themselves with those who scorn what is right.

The prophet Hosea is speaking to the people of Israel, criticizing their leaders during a time of national decline. The verse paints a picture of a royal celebration or feast (“the day of our king”) where the leaders are not only drinking excessively but also encouraging the king to do the same. Instead of leading wisely, the king stretches out his hand—an image of approval or alliance—with those who mock and scoff, showing how far the leadership has fallen from integrity.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 7:5

  • חֹלֶה (ḥoleh, “sick”): This word can mean physically ill but is often used for moral or spiritual sickness. Here, it suggests the king’s judgment is corrupted or weakened by the actions of the princes and their drinking.
  • חֲמַת (ḥamat, “bottles”): Literally meaning “heat” or “wrath,” but in this context, it refers to wine bottles or strong drink, emphasizing the intensity of the drinking.
  • לֵצִים (leṣim, “scorners”): This word means mockers or those who treat serious things with contempt. The king’s association with them highlights his disregard for what is right.

Why Hosea 7:5 matters

  • Hosea 7:5 clears up that the problem is not just personal drunkenness but a pattern of corrupt leadership, where those in power encourage each other in foolishness.
  • The verse emphasizes that the king is not a victim but an active participant, stretching out his hand in agreement with those who mock, which deepens the sense of national decline.
  • This verse connects to the wider theme in Hosea of Israel’s leaders failing their people, helping explain why judgment is coming upon the nation.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H4900 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 37:28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
  • Nehemiah 9:30 Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.
  • Isaiah 5:18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:

“sick” Hebrew H2470 · used in 73 verses

  • Genesis 48:1 And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
  • 2 Kings 20:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.
  • Isaiah 38:9 The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness:

“bottles” Hebrew H2534 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 27:44 And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;
  • Psalms 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
  • Lamentations 2:4 He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all that were pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire.

“wine” Hebrew H3196 · used in 134 verses

  • Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:10 And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
  • Isaiah 22:13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.