New International VersionLet us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”
New Living TranslationOh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”
English Standard VersionLet us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”
Berean Standard BibleSo let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.
King James BibleThen 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.
New King James VersionLet us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth.
New American Standard Bible“So let’s learn, let’s press on to know the LORD. His appearance is as sure as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, As the spring rain waters the earth.”
NASB 1995“So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.”
NASB 1977“So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.”
Legacy Standard BibleSo let us know, let us pursue to know Yahweh. His going forth is established as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the late rain watering the earth.”
Amplified Bible“So let us know and become personally acquainted with Him; let us press on to know and understand fully the [greatness of the] LORD [to honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him]. His appearing is prepared and is as certain as the dawn, And He will come to us [in salvation] like the [heavy] rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.”
Christian Standard BibleLet’s strive to know the LORD. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land.
Holman Christian Standard BibleLet us strive to know the LORD. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land.
American Standard VersionAnd let us know, let us follow on to know Jehovah: his going forth is sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth.
Contemporary English VersionLet's do our best to know the LORD. His coming is as certain as the morning sun; he will refresh us like rain renewing the earth in the springtime.
English Revised VersionAnd let us know, let us follow on to know the LORD; his going forth is sure as the morning: and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationLet's learn about the LORD. Let's get to know the LORD. He will come to us as sure as the morning comes. He will come to us like the autumn rains and the spring rains that water the ground.
Good News TranslationLet us try to know the LORD. He will come to us as surely as the day dawns, as surely as the spring rains fall upon the earth."
International Standard VersionLet us know, let us pursue knowledge of the LORD; his coming is as certain as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the autumn and spring rains come on the earth.
NET BibleSo let us acknowledge him! Let us seek to acknowledge the LORD! He will come to our rescue as certainly as the appearance of the dawn, as certainly as the winter rain comes, as certainly as the spring rain that waters the land."
New Heart English BibleLet us acknowledge the LORD. Let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, The LORD will appear. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain that waters the earth."
Webster's Bible TranslationThen shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he will come to us as the rain, as the latter and former rain to the earth. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.
World English BibleLet’s acknowledge Yahweh. Let’s press on to know Yahweh. As surely as the sun rises, Yahweh will appear. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain that waters the earth.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd we know—we pursue to know YHWH, "" His going forth is prepared as the dawn, "" And He comes in as a shower to us, "" As spring rain [and] autumn rain to the earth.”
Young's Literal Translation And we know -- we pursue to know Jehovah, As the dawn prepared is His going forth, And He cometh in as a shower to us, As gathered rain -- sprinkling earth.'
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd we shall know, we shall pursue to know Jehovah: as the morning his going forth was prepared; and he shall come as the rain to us, as the latter rain, the early rain of the earth. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe will revive us after two days: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. We shall know, and we shall follow on, that we may know the Lord. His going forth is prepared as the morning light, and he will come to us as the early and the latter rain to the earth.
Catholic Public Domain VersionHe will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, and we will live in his sight. We will understand, and we will continue on, so that we may know the Lord. His landing place has been prepared like the first light of morning, and he will come to us like the early and the late rains of the land.
New American BibleLet us know, let us strive to know the LORD; as certain as the dawn is his coming. He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth.”
New Revised Standard VersionLet us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen shall we know to follow after the knowledge of the LORD; his going forth is prepared as the dawn; and he shall come to us as the rain, as the spring rain which waters the earth.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd we shall know to go on to the knowledge of LORD JEHOVAH as the dawn, for his going forth is prepared, and he shall come to us as the rain and like spring rain which waters the land OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And let us know, eagerly strive to know the LORD, His going forth is sure as the morning; And He shall come unto us as the rain, As the latter rain that watereth the earth.'
Brenton Septuagint Translationlet us follow on to know the Lord: we shall find him ready as the morning, and he will come to us as the early and latter rain to the earth.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Israel and Judah are Unrepentant… 2After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence. 3So let us know—let us press onto knowthe LORD.As surely asthe sun rises,He will appear;He will cometo uslike the rain,like the spring showersthat waterthe earth.4What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes.…
Cross References Jeremiah 29:13You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Isaiah 55:6Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.
Matthew 7:7-8Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
James 4:8Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Psalm 63:1A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.
Isaiah 45:8Drip down, O heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open up that salvation may sprout and righteousness spring up with it; I, the LORD, have created it.
Deuteronomy 4:29But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.
John 7:37-38On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”
Psalm 42:1-2For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. / My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?
Isaiah 26:9My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit seeks You at dawn. For when Your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.
Philippians 3:10I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,
Psalm 27:8My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek.
Isaiah 55:10-11For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, / so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.
John 4:14But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”
Psalm 105:4Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.
Treasury of Scripture Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come to us as the rain, as the latter and former rain to the earth. we know. Hosea 2:20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD. Isaiah 54:13 And all thy childrenshall be taught of the LORD; and greatshall be the peace of thy children. Jeremiah 24:7 And I will give them an heart to know me, that Iam the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart. if. Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; … Matthew 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, orwhether I speak of myself. his going. 2 Samuel 23:4 Andhe shall be as the light of the morning,when the sun riseth,even a morning without clouds;as the tender grassspringing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. Psalm 19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the justis as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. as the rain. Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: forit is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Hosea 14:5 I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. Deuteronomy 32:2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Jump to Previous AcknowledgeAppearDawnEagerlyEarthFollowFormerForthLatterMorningPreparedPressRainRainsRisesShowersSpringStriveSunSureSurelyWaterWateringWatersWinterJump to Next AcknowledgeAppearDawnEagerlyEarthFollowFormerForthLatterMorningPreparedPressRainRainsRisesShowersSpringStriveSunSureSurelyWaterWateringWatersWinterHosea 6 1.Exhortations to repent and hope in God.4.A lamentation over those who had sinned after conviction.5.Reproofs of obstinate sinners, and threats against them.So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD.This phrase emphasizes the importance of pursuing a deeper understanding and relationship with God. In the context of Hosea, the Israelites are being called to return to God amidst their unfaithfulness. The repetition of "know" and "press on" suggests an active, ongoing effort rather than a passive acknowledgment. This pursuit of knowledge is not merely intellectual but relational, reflecting the covenant relationship God desires with His people. The call to "know the LORD" echoes the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, which commands love and devotion to God with all one's heart, soul, and strength. It also anticipates the New Covenant promise in Jeremiah 31:34, where knowing the LORD will be a defining characteristic of God's people. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear;
This phrase uses the certainty of the sunrise to assure the people of God's faithfulness and His inevitable intervention. The imagery of the sun rising is a common biblical metaphor for God's reliability and the renewal of His mercies, as seen inLamentations 3:22-23. The assurance of His appearance can be seen as a promise of His presence and deliverance, reminiscent of the hope found inMalachi 4:2, where the "sun of righteousness" will rise with healing. This also foreshadows the coming of Christ, who is described as the light of the world inJohn 8:12, bringing spiritual illumination and salvation. He will come to us like the rain,
Rain in the ancient Near East was a vital and life-giving force, essential for agriculture and survival. This imagery conveys God's provision and blessing, as well as His refreshing and renewing presence. InDeuteronomy 11:14, rain is depicted as a sign of God's favor and faithfulness to His covenant. The comparison to rain also suggests the idea of spiritual revival and cleansing, aligning with the prophetic hope of restoration and renewal for Israel. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who brings spiritual nourishment and life, as described inJohn 4:14, where Jesus offers living water that quenches spiritual thirst. like the spring showers that water the earth.
Spring showers are associated with new growth and fertility, symbolizing the rejuvenating and sustaining power of God. This imagery highlights the transformative effect of God's presence, bringing life and fruitfulness to His people. The reference to spring showers connects to the agricultural cycles in Israel, where the early and latter rains were crucial for a successful harvest, as mentioned inJoel 2:23. This promise of divine intervention and blessing is a reminder of God's ongoing care and provision, encouraging the faithful to trust in His timing and sovereignty. The showers can also be seen as a metaphor for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as prophesied inJoel 2:28-29 and fulfilled inActs 2, bringing spiritual renewal and empowerment to the believers. Persons / Places / Events 1. HoseaA prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BC, Hosea's ministry focused on calling Israel back to faithfulness to God amidst widespread idolatry and moral decay. 2. IsraelThe Northern Kingdom, often depicted in Hosea as unfaithful to God, akin to an adulterous spouse, yet still the recipient of God's persistent love and call to repentance. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who desires a relationship with His people and is depicted as faithful and restorative, like the rain that nourishes the earth. 4. Rain and Spring ShowersSymbolic of God's faithfulness and the life-giving nature of His presence, these natural phenomena illustrate the certainty and refreshment of God's coming to His people. 5. The SunRepresents the certainty and regularity of God's presence and intervention, just as the sun rises each day without fail. Teaching Points Pursuit of KnowledgeBelievers are called to actively seek and deepen their understanding of God. This pursuit is not passive but requires intentional effort and perseverance. Certainty of God's PresenceJust as the sun rises and rain falls, God's presence and intervention in our lives are assured. We can trust in His faithfulness and timing. Spiritual RefreshmentGod's coming is likened to rain, which refreshes and revitalizes. In times of spiritual dryness, we can anticipate His renewing presence. Covenant FaithfulnessThe call to know the LORD is rooted in the covenant relationship. Our response to God's faithfulness should be one of loyalty and devotion. Hope and ExpectationThe imagery of rain and sunrise instills hope. Believers are encouraged to live with expectation of God's continual work and presence in their lives. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Hosea 6
What does the Bible say about early and latter rain?
What do "Latter Rain" and "Former Rain" mean?
What does the Bible say about early and latter rain?
Why do some moral atheists live better lives than believers?Verse 3. - Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord. This is more accurately rendered by, let us therefore know, hunt after the knowledge of Jehovah, the verbs being both cohortative and no conditional particle ("if") in the second clause. The second clause is a more emphatic and energetic reaffirmation of the first, urging to active and zealous effort and steady perseverance in obtaining the knowledge of God - a knowledge theoretic, but especially practical. Aben Ezra understands the exhortation of intellectual knowledge: "To know Jehovah is the secret of all wisdom, and for this alone was man created. But he cannot know God till he has learnt many doctrines of wisdom, which are, as it were, a ladder in order to mount up to this highest step of knowledge." Kimchi, on the other hand, though quoting Aben Ezra's comment with approval, inclines to the practical side of knowledge: "Let us follow on to know Jehovah, exercising justice and righteousness." 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. Here, again, the translation of the Authorized Version is susceptible of improvement: his going forth is fixed as the morning dawn; and he shall come to us as the plentiful rain, as the latter rain which watereth (or, watering) the earth. Here we have two beautiful figures - the morning dawn and the fertilizing rain. The going forth of Jehovah is represented as the sun rising upon the earth, or rather as the dawn which heralds the day. The advent of salvation to his people is identified with, or symbolized by, his appearance. But the dawn of day only brings the commencement of salvation; its complement is found in the fruits and blessings of salvation. The root of motsav is zatsa, which is applied to the sunrise in Genesis 19:23, as also in Psalm 19:7. Parallel passages are found in Isaiah 58:8, "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning (dawn), and thy health shall spring forth speedily;" and Isaiah 9:2, "The Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee." Further, the word nakon, meaning "prepared," "fixed firm," is applied to the clear bright light of morning, as in Proverbs 4:18, "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect ( nekon) day." The plentiful rain is that which falls after the sowing of the seed in October (the beginning of the Hebrew year) and in the following months; while the malqosh is the late or spring rain, which, tailing in March and till the middle of April, precedes and promotes the harvest. The LXX. translates the (1) concluding clause byὑετὸς πρώιμος andὄψιμος erroneously, forzoreh is not a noun with b, being understood before "earth;" neither is it (2) the future Hiph., which would necessitate the ellipse being supplied byasher; it is the Qal participle in the sense of" watering."Geshem is "a violent or plentiful rain," stronger than the usual word for" rain,"matar; whilemalqosh is "the late rain" which ceases a short time before harvest. The explanation of the "dawn" by Aben Ezra is erroneous: "The intelligent man at the beginning knows God - blessed be he! - by his works, like the dawn of day in its going forth; but moment after moment the light increases, until the full truth becomes visible." Kimchi more correctly explains the figure as follows: "If we shall do this, viz. follow on to know the Lord, then he will be to us as the morning dawn, of which the going forth is fixed [purposed by God and certain] as though he said, He will cause his light and his goodness to shine over us." His comment on the second similitude is equally appropriate: "He will come to us as the plentiful rain, as the plentiful rain which revives the dead plants; so man sunk in sorrow is like one dead; but when deliverance comes to him it is with him as if he revived out of his dead state." Thus he shall be to his people as "morning to the weary watcher," and as "plentiful rain to the parched ground."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew So let us know—וְנֵדְעָ֣ה(wə·nê·ḏə·‘āh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 3045:To knowlet us pressנִרְדְּפָ֗ה(nir·də·p̄āh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 7291:To pursue, chase, persecuteon to knowלָדַ֙עַת֙(lā·ḏa·‘aṯ)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3045:To knowthe LORD.יְהוָ֔ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of IsraelAs surely asנָכ֣וֹן(nā·ḵō·wn)Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3559:To be erectthe sun rises,כְּשַׁ֖חַר(kə·ša·ḥar)Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7837:DawnHe will appear;מֽוֹצָא֑וֹ(mō·w·ṣā·’ōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4161:A place or act of going forth, issue, export, source, springHe will comeוְיָב֤וֹא(wə·yā·ḇō·w)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, goto usלָ֔נוּ(lā·nū)Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrewlike the rain,כַגֶּ֙שֶׁם֙(ḵag·ge·šem)Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1653:Rain, showerlike the spring showersכְּמַלְק֖וֹשׁ(kə·mal·qō·wōš)Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4456:The spring rain, eloquencethat waterי֥וֹרֶה(yō·w·reh)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3138:Sprinkling, a sprinklingthe earth.אָֽרֶץ׃(’ā·reṣ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, land
Links Hosea 6:3 NIVHosea 6:3 NLTHosea 6:3 ESVHosea 6:3 NASBHosea 6:3 KJV
Hosea 6:3 BibleApps.comHosea 6:3 Biblia ParalelaHosea 6:3 Chinese BibleHosea 6:3 French BibleHosea 6:3 Catholic Bible
OT Prophets: Hosea 6:3 Let us acknowledge Yahweh (Ho Hs Hos.) |
