They have been unfaithful to the LORD;This phrase highlights Israel's spiritual adultery, a recurring theme in Hosea. The covenant relationship between God and Israel is often depicted as a marriage, with unfaithfulness symbolizing idolatry and turning away from God (
Exodus 34:15-16). The Hebrew word for "unfaithful" can also mean "to act treacherously," indicating a deliberate betrayal. This unfaithfulness is not just a personal failing but a national one, reflecting the collective sin of the people.
for they have borne illegitimate children.
The "illegitimate children" symbolize the fruit of Israel's idolatry. In a literal sense, this could refer to children born from unions with pagan nations, but metaphorically, it represents the spiritual offspring of their unfaithfulness—corrupt practices and beliefs. This imagery is consistent with Hosea's earlier use of family metaphors, such as Gomer's unfaithfulness and the names of Hosea's children (Hosea 1:2-9). The concept of illegitimacy underscores the impurity and unacceptability of their actions before God.
Now the New Moon will devour them along with their land.
The New Moon was a time of celebration and worship in Israel (Numbers 10:10, 28:11-15). However, here it is turned into a time of judgment. The phrase suggests that what was meant to be a time of renewal and blessing will instead bring destruction. This inversion of expectation serves as a warning of impending judgment due to their unfaithfulness. The "devour" imagery indicates total consumption, leaving nothing behind, which aligns with the prophetic warnings of exile and devastation (Amos 8:5-10). The mention of "their land" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the judgment, affecting both the people and the land they inhabit, fulfilling the covenant curses outlined inDeuteronomy 28.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
HoseaA prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope.
2.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is portrayed as being betrayed by His people.
3.
IsraelThe Northern Kingdom, often depicted as unfaithful to God, engaging in idolatry and alliances with foreign nations.
4.
Illegitimate ChildrenSymbolic of Israel's spiritual adultery and unfaithfulness, resulting in offspring that do not belong to God.
5.
New MoonA time of religious observance in Israel, here representing a period of judgment rather than celebration.
Teaching Points
Spiritual AdulteryJust as Israel was unfaithful to God, believers today must guard against idolatry and spiritual compromise.
Consequences of SinThe judgment described in Hosea serves as a warning that sin has real and devastating consequences.
True WorshipGod desires genuine worship and obedience, not mere ritualistic observance.
Covenant FaithfulnessBelievers are called to remain faithful to their covenant relationship with God, reflecting His faithfulness to us.
Repentance and RestorationDespite judgment, God's ultimate desire is for His people to return to Him and be restored.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Hosea 5:7?
2.How does Hosea 5:7 illustrate Israel's unfaithfulness to God?
3.What consequences does Hosea 5:7 describe for Israel's betrayal of God?
4.How can Hosea 5:7's warning apply to modern Christian faithfulness?
5.What connections exist between Hosea 5:7 and the first commandment?
6.How can we guard against spiritual "treachery" in our own lives?
7.What does Hosea 5:7 reveal about Israel's relationship with God?
8.How does Hosea 5:7 illustrate the consequences of unfaithfulness?
9.Why is the imagery of "illegitimate children" used in Hosea 5:7?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Hosea 5?
11.Hosea 5:7 – What proof exists that Israel literally bore “illegitimate children” due to religious unfaithfulness rather than political alliances?
12.What drives the essence of prostitution?
13.How do we reconcile the timing of the New Moon feast in 1 Samuel 20:5 with other Old Testament passages referencing similar observances?
14.Is a second marriage considered adultery?What Does Hosea 5:7 Mean
They have been unfaithful to the LORD• Hosea highlights covenant betrayal. Just as a spouse who steps outside marriage, Israel steps outside her exclusive bond with God (Jeremiah 3:20;James 4:4).
• Idolatry is in view—trusting Baal, foreign treaties, and self-sufficiency instead of the living God (Hosea 4:17;Exodus 20:3).
• Unfaithfulness is willful; it is not ignorance but deliberate rebellion despite prophetic warnings (2 Kings 17:13-15).
• The charge proves God’s character: He is faithful, patient, yet righteous to confront sin (Deuteronomy 7:9-10).
for they have borne illegitimate children• The literal image: children conceived outside covenant marriage. Spiritually: generations raised in idolatry who do not know the LORD (Hosea 1:2; 2:4-5).
• Such offspring share in the parents’ broken relationship with God; sin multiplies, not merely repeats (Exodus 34:7).
• Illegitimacy points to exclusion from covenant blessing (Deuteronomy 23:2) and contrasts sharply with God’s intent for godly offspring (Malachi 2:15).
• The line is not beyond hope; later promises of mercy show God can still adopt and restore those who turn (Hosea 1:10;John 1:12).
Now the New Moon will devour them along with their land• The “New Moon” was a festival marker (Numbers 10:10). Ironically, the day meant for celebration becomes the date stamp of judgment (Amos 8:5-10).
• God’s displeasure with empty ritual echoesIsaiah 1:13-14; He rejects festivals severed from obedience.
• “Devour” pictures swift disaster: Assyria’s impending invasion will consume people and farmland alike (Hosea 8:7; 10:5-8).
• The timing note warns that judgment is imminent—perhaps as soon as the very next New Moon.
summaryHosea 5:7 exposes Israel’s spiritual adultery, a broken covenant that has produced generations estranged from God. External religiosity cannot mask inner rebellion; even cherished festivals will become instruments of divine discipline. Yet the passage also implies hope: the God who judges unfaithfulness still invites His people to return and be restored.
(7)
Strange children refers to offspring that followed in the ways of their mother. (Comp. Hosea 1) Some reference is involved to the consequences of intermarriage with heathen. The "month" may be a personification of the period of a month (Henderson), during which takes place the now closely impending (perhaps already commenced) invasion by Tiglathpileser (
2Kings 15:29; 2 Chron. 19:21). This invasion was due in part to Ahaz having sought the aid of Assyria against Pekah and Rezin.
Verse 7. -
They have dealt treacherously against the Lord: for they have begotten strange children. This may refer to inter. marriages with idolaters, when the offspring of such forbidden unions departed still further from the worship of Jehovah; or the children of godless Jewish parents reflected yet more the wicked works and ways of such parents. In consequence of the infidelity of the wife, the children were not the offspring of lawful wedlock or conjugal union; in other words, they were children of whoredom - an adulterous generation. Lord's infidelity to the holy covenant had as its result a graceless, godless race - children strange and supposititions in the spiritual sense.
Now shall a month devour them with their portions. If
(1) "month" be the right rendering, it is a note of time like "the day of the Lord;" and the sense is that a short time shall see the end of them - not only of their persons, but their properties, that is, their hereditary portions in Palestine. But
(2) if "new moon" be the correct translation, the new moon, or sacrificial feasts celebrated at that season, will only rut,, not relieve, them. Their sinful sacrifices and vain oblations, on which they now placed their reliance, will procure, not their salvation, but perdition.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
They have been unfaithfulבָּגָ֔דוּ(bā·ḡā·ḏū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 898:To cover, to act covertly, to pillageto the LORD;בַּיהוָ֣ה(Yah·weh)Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelforכִּֽי־(kî-)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionthey have borneיָלָ֑דוּ(yā·lā·ḏū)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3205:To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineageillegitimateזָרִ֖ים(zā·rîm)Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2114:To turn aside, to be a, foreigner, strange, profane, to commit adulterychildren.בָנִ֥ים(ḇā·nîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1121:A sonNowעַתָּ֛ה(‘at·tāh)Adverb
Strong's 6258:At this timethe New Moonחֹ֖דֶשׁ(ḥō·ḏeš)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2320:The new moon, a monthwill devour themיֹאכְלֵ֥ם(yō·ḵə·lêm)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 398:To eatalong with their land.חֶלְקֵיהֶֽם׃(ḥel·qê·hem)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2506:Portion, tract, territory
Links
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OT Prophets: Hosea 5:7 They are unfaithful to Yahweh (Ho Hs Hos.) 
