New International VersionAnd it will be: Like people, like priests. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
New Living Translation‘And what the priests do, the people also do.’ So now I will punish both priests and people for their wicked deeds.
English Standard VersionAnd it shall be like people, like priest; I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
Berean Standard BibleAnd it shall be like people, like priest. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
King James BibleAnd there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.
New King James VersionAnd it shall be: like people, like priest. So I will punish them for their ways, And reward them for their deeds.
New American Standard BibleAnd it will be, like people, like priest; So I will punish them for their ways And repay them for their deeds.
NASB 1995And it will be, like people, like priest; So I will punish them for their ways And repay them for their deeds.
NASB 1977And it will be, like people, like priest; So I will punish them for their ways, And repay them for their deeds.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd it will be like people, like priest; So I will punish them for their ways And cause their deeds to return to them.
Amplified BibleAnd it shall be: like people, like priest [both are wicked and both will be judged]; So I will punish them for their ways And repay them for their deeds.
Christian Standard BibleThe same judgment will happen to both people and priests. I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThe same judgment will happen to both people and priests. I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
American Standard VersionAnd it shall be, like people, like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and will requite them their doings.
Contemporary English VersionThat's why I will punish the people for their deeds, just as I will punish you priests.
English Revised VersionAnd it shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and will reward them their doings.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationSo the priests will be punished like the people. I will punish them for their wicked ways and pay them back for what they have done.
Good News TranslationYou will suffer the same punishment as the people! I will punish you and make you pay for the evil you do.
International Standard VersionSo it will be: like people, like priest. I will punish them for their lifestyles, rewarding them according to their behavior.
NET BibleI will deal with the people and priests together: I will punish them both for their ways, and I will repay them for their deeds.
New Heart English BibleIt will be, like people, like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and will repay them for their deeds.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd it shall be like people, like priest. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
World English BibleIt will be like people, like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and will repay them for their deeds. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd it has been, like people, like priest, "" And I have charged on it its ways, "" And its habitual doings I return to it.
Young's Literal Translation And it hath been, like people, like priest, And I have charged on it its ways, And its habitual doings I return to it.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd it was as the people so the priest: and I reviewed upon them their way; and their doings I will turn back to them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd there shall be like people like priest: and I will visit their ways upon them, and I will repay them their devices.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd, just as it is with the people, so will it be with the priest; and I will visit their ways upon them, and I will repay them for their intentions.
New American BibleLike people, like priest: I will punish them for their ways, and repay them for their deeds.
New Revised Standard VersionAnd it shall be like people, like priest; I will punish them for their ways, and repay them for their deeds. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe priest has become common like the people; and I will punish them for their ways and reward them for their deeds.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd the Priest was like the people, and I shall visit upon them their ways, and their works I shall pay them OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And it is like people, like priest; And I will punish him for his ways, And will recompense him his doings.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd the priest shall be as the people: and I will avenge on them their ways, and I will recompense to them their counsels.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context God's Charges Against Israel… 8They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity. 9And it shall belike people,like priest.I will punishboth of themfor their waysand repaythemfor their deeds.10They will eat but not be satisfied; they will be promiscuous but not multiply. For they have stopped obeying the LORD.…
Cross References Jeremiah 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?
Isaiah 24:2people and priest alike, servant and master, maid and mistress, buyer and seller, lender and borrower, creditor and debtor.
Micah 3:5-7This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: / Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them. / Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.”
Malachi 2:1-9“And now this decree is for you, O priests: / If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to honor My name,” says the LORD of Hosts, “I will send a curse among you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already begun to curse them, because you are not taking it to heart. / Behold, I will rebuke your descendants, and I will spread dung on your faces, the waste from your feasts, and you will be carried off with it. ...
Ezekiel 22:26-31Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. / Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. / Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken. ...
1 Samuel 2:29-30Why then do you kick at My sacrifice and offering that I have prescribed for My dwelling place? You have honored your sons more than Me by fattening yourselves with the best of all the offerings of My people Israel.’ / Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.
Zephaniah 3:4Her prophets are reckless, faithless men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to the law.
Lamentations 4:13-14But this was for the sins of her prophets and the guilt of her priests, who shed the blood of the righteous in her midst. / They wandered blind in the streets, defiled by this blood, so that no one dared to touch their garments.
Jeremiah 23:11-12“For both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the LORD. / “Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD.
1 Kings 14:16So He will give Israel over on account of the sins Jeroboam has committed and has caused Israel to commit.”
Matthew 15:14Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Matthew 23:1-3Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: / “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. / So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
Romans 2:21-24you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? / You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? / You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? ...
2 Timothy 4:3-4For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
1 Corinthians 9:13-14Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
Treasury of Scripture And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings. like people. Isaiah 9:14-16 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day… Isaiah 24:2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him. Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people loveto have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? punish. Hosea 1:4 And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a littlewhile, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel. reward them. Psalm 109:17,18 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him… Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. Isaiah 3:10 Say ye to the righteous, thatit shall be wellwith him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Jump to Previous ActsChargedDeedsDoingsEvilHabitualPriestPriestsPunishPunishmentRecompenseRepayRequiteRewardVisitWaysJump to Next ActsChargedDeedsDoingsEvilHabitualPriestPriestsPunishPunishmentRecompenseRepayRequiteRewardVisitWaysHosea 4 1.God denounces judgments on Israel, for their aggravated impieties and iniquities.12.He exposes the ignorance and wickedness of the priests,13.and moral dissolution of the people,14.he will leave their wives and daughters to commit lewdness, without present punishment.15.He warns Judah, not to imitate Israel's crimes, which are still further reproved.And it shall be like people, like priest.This phrase highlights the moral and spiritual decline of both the leaders and the followers in Israel. In ancient Israel, priests were expected to be spiritual leaders and examples of holiness. However, when the priests themselves were corrupt, the people followed suit. This reflects the principle that leadership influences the behavior of the community. The phrase suggests a breakdown in the covenant relationship between God and His people, as both priests and people have turned away from God's laws. This mirrors the situation in 1 Samuel 2:12-17, where the sons of Eli, who were priests, led the people into sin. I will punish both of them for their ways
God's judgment is impartial and just, extending to both the leaders and the people. The "ways" refer to the sinful behaviors and idolatrous practices that have become prevalent. This punishment is a fulfillment of the covenant curses outlined inDeuteronomy 28, where disobedience to God's commands would lead to consequences. The historical context of Hosea's ministry during the 8th century BC, a time of political instability and moral decay in Israel, underscores the urgency of this warning. and repay them for their deeds.
The concept of divine retribution is central here, where God promises to repay individuals according to their actions. This reflects the biblical principle of sowing and reaping found inGalatians 6:7-8. The deeds of the people and priests, characterized by idolatry and injustice, warrant divine recompense. This repayment is not only punitive but also serves as a call to repentance, urging the nation to return to covenant faithfulness. The prophetic message of Hosea consistently points to the hope of restoration if the people turn back to God. 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 rampant idolatry and moral decay. 2. IsraelThe Northern Kingdom, often characterized by its unfaithfulness to God, which led to its eventual downfall and exile. 3. PriestsReligious leaders in Israel who were responsible for teaching the law and leading the people in worship. In Hosea's time, many priests were corrupt and led the people astray. 4. JudgmentThe divine consequence pronounced by God through Hosea, indicating that both the people and the priests would face punishment for their collective sins. 5. Idolatry and ImmoralityThe prevalent sins in Israel during Hosea's time, which included worshiping false gods and engaging in unethical behaviors. Teaching Points Accountability of Leaders and FollowersBoth religious leaders and their followers are accountable to God. Leaders must guide with integrity, and followers must seek truth and righteousness. Consequences of SinSin has consequences, and God’s justice ensures that both leaders and followers are held responsible for their actions. Call to HolinessBelievers are called to live holy lives, reflecting God's character in both personal conduct and communal worship. Role of Spiritual LeadersSpiritual leaders have a significant influence on their communities and must lead by example, teaching and living according to God’s Word. Repentance and RestorationDespite the pronouncement of judgment, God’s desire is for repentance and restoration, offering hope for those who turn back to Him. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Hosea 4:9?
2.How does Hosea 4:9 illustrate the consequences of leaders' sins on their followers?
3.What does Hosea 4:9 reveal about God's justice and expectations for His people?
4.How can Hosea 4:9 guide us in choosing spiritual leaders today?
5.In what ways does Hosea 4:9 connect with James 3:1 about teachers' accountability?
6.How can we apply the lessons of Hosea 4:9 in our daily lives?
7.How does Hosea 4:9 reflect the relationship between leaders and followers in spiritual communities?
8.What does Hosea 4:9 imply about accountability in religious leadership?
9.How does Hosea 4:9 challenge the notion of divine justice?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Hosea 4?
11.Hosea 4:7–8: If priests are chosen by God, why does He allow them to become so corrupt without immediate intervention?
12.In Leviticus 9:7-8, how can the idea that priests make atonement for the people be squared with Hebrews 10:4, which says animal sacrifices can't truly remove sin?
13.In Hosea 9:15, how do we reconcile an 'all-loving' God with the statement that God hates His people in Gilgal?
14.Hosea 4:14: Why does the text condemn daughters and brides for their actions when the men and priests seem equally at fault?What Does Hosea 4:9 Mean And it shall be like people, like priest“Just as the people are, so will the priest be.” The shepherds and the flock have drifted into the same patterns, so God treats them as one unit. • Priests were meant to model holiness (Leviticus 10:10-11;Malachi 2:7), yet they mirrored the nation’s sins rather than God’s character. • When leaders compromise, the people feel licensed to do the same (Jeremiah 5:30-31;Luke 6:40). • Isaiah had warned, “It will be the same for the people as for the priest” (Isaiah 24:2), underlining a principle: shared corruption brings shared consequences.
I will punish both of them for their waysGod’s justice does not play favorites. Position never shields disobedience. • “There is no favoritism with God” (Romans 2:11); priests stand under the same moral law as the laity. • Greater light brings greater accountability (James 3:1;Luke 12:48). The priests knew better, so judgment begins with them (Ezekiel 9:6;1 Peter 4:17). • Their “ways” (ongoing habits) demonstrated deliberate rebellion—idolatry (Hosea 4:12-13) and exploitation (Micah 3:11).
and repay them for their deedsGod’s response is measured and just. What they planted will now be harvested. • “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return” (Galatians 6:7). • Hosea later echoes this: “For they sow the wind, and they will reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7). • Repayment language underscores certainty (Psalm 62:12;Revelation 22:12). God’s “repay” is neither impulsive nor excessive; it precisely matches the offense.
summaryHosea 4:9 reveals a sobering principle: when leaders and followers walk the same crooked path, God treats them alike. Shared sin erases earthly distinctions; priest and people alike face measured, righteous judgment. The verse calls every believer—whether leading or being led—to return to wholehearted obedience, trusting that God rewards faithfulness just as surely as He repays unfaithfulness. (9, 10) As the people will be punished, so will the priest. The latter will not be saved by wealth or dignity. And I will visit upon him his ways (observe here the collective singular in the pronoun), and causehis doings to return upon him. The form of the punishment is to be noticed. The eating of the sin of the people shall leave them hungry, and their licentiousness shall leave them childless. Verse 9. - Like people, like priest. As it had fared with the people who had sinned and had been punished, as is stated in the third and fifth verses; so shall it be with the priest or whole priestly order. He has involved himself in sin and punishment like the people, and that as the consequence of his extreme unfaithfulness; whereas by faithful dealing with the people and discharge of his duty he might have delivered his own soul, as stated by Ezekiel 33:9, "Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul." It is well explained by Kimchi as follows: "These two caphs of likeness are by way of abbreviation, and the explanation is - the people are like the priest and the priest is like the people. And the meaning is that, as the people and the priest are equal with respect to sin, so shall they be equal in relation to punishment." And I will visit upon his ways, and his doings I will bring back to him. The retribution here threatened includes the whole priestly order, not people and priest as one man, according to Pusey, who, however, makes the following excellent comment on מעלליו: "The word rendered doings signifies great doings when used of God, bold doings on the part of man. These bold presumptuous doings against the Law and will of God, God will bring back to the sinner's bosom," or rather, down overwhelmingly upon his head. The singular individualizes; so both Aben Ezra and Kimchi: "Upon every one of them."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew And it shall beוְהָיָ֥ה(wə·hā·yāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, belike people,כָעָ֖ם(ḵā·‘ām)Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flocklike priest.כַּכֹּהֵ֑ן(kak·kō·hên)Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548:PriestI will punishוּפָקַדְתִּ֤י(ū·p̄ā·qaḏ·tî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6485:To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, depositboth of themעָלָיו֙(‘ā·lāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstfor their waysדְּרָכָ֔יו(də·rā·ḵāw)Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1870:A road, a course of life, mode of actionand repayאָשִׁ֥יב(’ā·šîḇ)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7725:To turn back, in, to retreat, againthemלֽוֹ׃(lōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrewfor their deeds.וּמַעֲלָלָ֖יו(ū·ma·‘ă·lā·lāw)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4611:A deed, practice
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OT Prophets: Hosea 4:9 It will be like people like priest (Ho Hs Hos.) |
