Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Hosea 6:3–8

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
¶ 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.
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.
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.
Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapterReport issue
More

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

6 selected · 4 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

30 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 3

  1. Jeremiah 24:7Rank 1 from verse 3
    Open

    7And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

  2. Hosea 14:5Rank 2 from verse 3
    Open

    5I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

  3. Proverbs 2:1–5Rank 3 from verse 3
    Open

    1MY son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

    2So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

    3Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

    4If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

    5Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

  4. Psalms 72:6Rank 4 from verse 3
    Open

    6He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

  5. Philippians 3:13–15Rank 5 from verse 3
    Open

    13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

    14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

    15Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

From verse 4

  1. Hosea 11:8Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    8How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

  2. Hosea 13:3Rank 2 from verse 4
    Open

    3Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

  3. Psalms 78:34–37Rank 3 from verse 4
    Open

    34When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God.

    35And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.

    36Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.

    37For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

  4. Psalms 106:12–13Rank 4 from verse 4
    Open

    12Then believed they his words; they sang his praise.

    13They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel:

  5. 2 Peter 2:20–22Rank 5 from verse 4
    Open

    20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

    21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

    22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

From verse 5

  1. Jeremiah 23:29Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    29Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

  2. Jeremiah 1:10Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    10See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.

  3. Hebrews 4:12Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

  4. Jeremiah 5:14Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    14Wherefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

  5. Isaiah 11:4Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    4But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

From verse 6

  1. Matthew 9:13Rank 1 from verse 6
    Open

    13But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

  2. Matthew 12:7Rank 2 from verse 6
    Open

    7But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

  3. Proverbs 21:3Rank 3 from verse 6
    Open

    3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

  4. 1 Samuel 15:22Rank 4 from verse 6
    Open

    22And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

  5. Amos 5:21Rank 5 from verse 6
    Open

    21¶ I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.

From verse 7

  1. Genesis 3:11Rank 1 from verse 7
    Open

    11And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

  2. Hosea 5:7Rank 2 from verse 7
    Open

    7They have dealt treacherously against the Lord: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions.

  3. Hosea 8:1Rank 3 from verse 7
    Open

    1SET the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the Lord, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.

  4. Jeremiah 9:6Rank 4 from verse 7
    Open

    6Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord.

  5. Job 31:33Rank 5 from verse 7
    Open

    33If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:

From verse 8

  1. Hosea 12:11Rank 1 from verse 8
    Open

    11Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

  2. Hosea 4:2Rank 2 from verse 8
    Open

    2By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

  3. Micah 7:2Rank 3 from verse 8
    Open

    2The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.

  4. 1 Kings 2:5Rank 4 from verse 8
    Open

    5Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.

  5. 2 Samuel 20:8Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    8When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before them. And Joab’s garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as he went forth it fell out.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Hosea 6:3

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

know

↗

To perceive, understand, recognize, experience, or be assured of something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

forth

↗

1. Outward, away, or forward from a place, person, possession, or former position. 2. In constructions of bearing or producing, into birth, growth, fruit, or another stated result. 3. With verbs such as put, stretch, spread, or reach, outward by extension or exertion. 4. In constructions of showing, speaking, issuing, or displaying, into view, expression, publication, or effect. 5. Onward from a stated time or point, as in from that time forth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

morning

↗

Sense 1: The beginning or early part of the day, including hours before daylight. Sense 2: The dawn or a beginning compared with dawn.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

us

↗

The first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the speaker together with one or more others as recipients or objects of an action or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

rain

↗

Sense 1: Water falling in drops from the clouds. Sense 2: As a verb, to fall or pour down like rain.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

latter

↗

Coming, occurring, or mentioned after another; the later or last of two.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

earth

↗

Sense 1: The world in distinction from heaven. Sense 2: Dry land, ground, soil, or dust. Sense 3: A land, region, or its inhabitants.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Hosea 6:4

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

your

↗

The possessive form of ye or you, ordinarily plural, marking what belongs to, concerns, proceeds from, or stands in relation to the persons addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

morning

↗

Sense 1: The beginning or early part of the day, including hours before daylight. Sense 2: The dawn or a beginning compared with dawn.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cloud

↗

Sense 1: A visible mass of vapour in the sky. Sense 2: Figuratively, a covering or multitude.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

dew

↗

Moisture that falls or settles in drops, especially at night.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Hosea 6:5

COMBINED MEANING

hewed

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of hew, meaning to cut or shape with blows of an axe or another instrument.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

words

↗

Spoken or written expressions, sayings, statements, messages, commands, promises, reports, or units of meaningful speech.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mouth

↗

Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

light

↗

Sense 1: Brightness or illumination. Sense 2: A source or opening that gives light. Sense 3: Figuratively, truth, knowledge, revelation, life, or favour contrasted with darkness. Sense 4: To illuminate or kindle. Sense 5: To alight or come upon. Sense 6: Slight, easy, swift, or not heavy.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

forth

↗

1. Outward, away, or forward from a place, person, possession, or former position. 2. In constructions of bearing or producing, into birth, growth, fruit, or another stated result. 3. With verbs such as put, stretch, spread, or reach, outward by extension or exertion. 4. In constructions of showing, speaking, issuing, or displaying, into view, expression, publication, or effect. 5. Onward from a stated time or point, as in from that time forth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Hosea 6:6

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

desired

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of desire, meaning to wish for, long for, request, or take pleasure in.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

mercy

↗

Compassion or pity shown to the distressed or guilty; kindness that withholds deserved harm.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sacrifice

↗

Sense 1: An offering presented to God or to a false god, or the thing so offered. Sense 2: To present, slay, or consume something as such an offering.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Hosea 6:7

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

like

↗

Sense 1: Similar or of the same kind; in the same manner; likely. Sense 2: A like person or thing; an equal or counterpart. Sense 3: To please, choose, or regard with favour.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

transgressed

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of transgress, meaning to break or pass beyond a law, command, duty, or rightful boundary.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

covenant

↗

Sense 1: A binding agreement, promise, pledge, or appointed order. Sense 2: The stated words, terms, testimony, or written record of such an agreement or promise.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

dealt

↗

To deal: to distribute, allot, act toward another, or conduct a matter.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

treacherously

↗

Faithlessly or perfidiously; by betraying trust, allegiance, covenant, or pledged faith.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

against

↗

Opposed to, contrary to, facing, toward, or in contact with; in some settings, exposed to or ready for a stated time.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

DEFINED WORDS

Hosea 6:8

COMBINED MEANING

work

↗

Sense 1: Labour, occupation, an assigned task, or service. Sense 2: An action, deed, operation, effect, product, thing made, or manner of workmanship. Sense 3: To labour, act, operate, perform, make, produce, accomplish, or bring about.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

iniquity

↗

Wickedness, unrighteousness, transgression, or sin; the guilt or burden of such wrongdoing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

polluted

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of pollute, meaning to defile, make unclean, or profane.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

blood

↗

Sense 1: The bodily fluid associated with physical life. Sense 2: Life taken, bloodshed, or guilt and responsibility for it. Sense 3: Kindred, shared human descent, or natural human nature. Sense 4: The juice of grapes.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Hosea 6:2–9

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

6:2After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

6:3Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

Selected passage

6:4¶ 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.

Selected passage

6:5Therefore 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.

Selected passage

6:6For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Selected passage

6:7But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.

Selected passage

6:8Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.

Selected passage

6:9And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Ask a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.