Hosea – Chapter 5

Old Testament15 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 5 of Hosea begins: "Hear ye this, O priests, and hearken, O ye house of Israel, and give ear, O house of the king: for there is a judgment against you, because…" Across its 15 verses, two threads run through the text: healing and sin and divine judgment. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Hear ye this, O priests, and hearken, O ye house of Israel, and give ear, O house of the king: for there is a judgment against you, because you have been a snare to them whom you should have watched over and a net spread upon Thabor.

2And you have turned aside victims into the depth and I am the teacher of them all.

3I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me for now Ephraim hath committed fornication, Israel is defiled.

4They will not set their thoughts to return to their God: for the spirit of fornication is in the midst of them, and they have not known the Lord.

5And the pride of Israel shall answer in his face: and Israel, and Ephraim shall fall in their iniquity, Juda also shall fall with them.

6With their flocks and with their herds, they shall go to seek the Lord, and shall not find him: he is withdrawn from them.

7They have transgressed against the Lord: for they have begotten children that are strangers: now shall a month devour them with their portions.

8Blow ye the cornet in Gabaa, the trumpet in Rama: howl ye in Bethaven, behind thy back, O Benjamin.

9Ephraim shall be in desolation in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel I have shewn that which shall surely be.

10The princes of Juda are become as they that take up the bound: I will pour out my wrath upon them like water.

11Ephraim is under oppression, and broken in judgment: because he began to go after filthiness.

12And I will be like a moth to Ephraim: and like rottenness to the house of Juda.

13And Ephraim saw his sickness, and Juda his band: and Ephraim went to the Assyrian, and sent to the avenging king: and he shall not be able to heal you, neither shall he be able to take off the band from you.

14For I will be like a lioness to Ephraim, and like a lion's whelp to the house of Juda: I, I will catch, and go: I will take away, and there is none that can rescue.

15I will go and return to my place: until you are consumed, and seek my face.

Important Verses in Hosea 5

Hear ye this, O priests, and hearken, O ye house of Israel, and give ear, O house of the king: for there is a judgment against you, because you have been a snare to them whom you should have watched over and a net spread upon Thabor.

Hosea 5:1

They will not set their thoughts to return to their God: for the spirit of fornication is in the midst of them, and they have not known the Lord.

Hosea 5:4

They have transgressed against the Lord: for they have begotten children that are strangers: now shall a month devour them with their portions.

Hosea 5:7

I will go and return to my place: until you are consumed, and seek my face.

Hosea 5:15

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Hosea was written with the northern kingdom of Israel, called back from idolatry to covenant love in view. Chapter 5 of 14 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 15 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. It opens with the line: "Hear ye this, O priests, and hearken, O ye house of Israel, and give ear, O house of the king: for there is a judgment…" The chapter ends with: "I will go and return to my place: until you are consumed, and seek my face. " In terms of historical background, God commanded Hosea to marry Gomer, an unfaithful wife, making his broken marriage a living parable of Israel's idolatry and God's wounded, unbreakable love. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About 750-722 BC, in the northern kingdom of Israel.

Who Wrote It

The prophet Hosea, son of Beeri

When It Was Written

About 750-722 BC, in the northern kingdom of Israel

Catholic Commentary

In this 15-verse passage, the sacred author describes events, speeches, or revelations central to God's faithful love despite Israel's unfaithfulness. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Hear ye this, O priests, and hearken, O ye house of Israel, and give ear, O house of the king: for there is a judgment against you, because you have been a…" The passage repeatedly touches on healing and restoration.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of God's faithful love despite Israel's unfaithfulness. Hosea's marriage symbolizes God's covenant love (CIC 1611). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2772).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Christ is the Divine Physician who heals both body and soul.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • Christ is the Divine Physician who heals both body and soul.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Hosea Chapter 5 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Hosea Chapter 5. At the moral level, stewardship of creation challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 1604).

As you continue through Hosea, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hosea Chapter 5 about?

Hosea 5 contains 15 verses. It opens with "Hear ye this, O priests, and hearken, O ye house of Israel, and give ear, O house of the king: for there is a judgment…" and closes with "I will go and return to my place: until you are consumed, and seek my face. ". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles with biographical narrative.

What is a key verse in Hosea 5?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Hear ye this, O priests, and hearken, O ye house of Israel, and give ear, O house of the king: for there is a judgment against you, because you have been a snare to them whom you…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Hosea and when?

The prophet Hosea, son of Beeri. About 750-722 BC, in the northern kingdom of Israel.

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