Hosea Chapter 6 Breakdown

1 Come, and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.

Israel will finally say, let us return to YHWH and His ways. YHWH, has torn us, but will heal us. He has afflicted us, but will bind us.

2 After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight.

This verse is a very interesting verse concerning its translation. It starts off by saying “after two”, there is no Hebrew word to warrant these words be placed here aside from it saying third day. It seems more likely this verse should say, “one day He will redeem us, then on the third day He will arise, that we may live in His sight”. If this is the case, it makes more sense in my mind because it is more specific as to what to expect, but at the same time still mysterious as to when. This also fits exactly with what we see from Yeshua.

3 Let 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.

When we start getting into the Hebrew here, it is quite interesting in deed. This verse again has a slightly misleading translation. It is at this point we will know and pursue the knowledge of YHWH. From this act, He will be established as the dawn, like the rising sun. He will enter into us like rain, teaching the whole earth.

4 “O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, And like the early dew it goes away.

YHWH asks the House of Israel as well as the House of Judah, what should become of them. He then calls them out on their fading belief.

5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And your judgments are like light that goes forth.

Because of this, YHWH has divided the two houses according to the prophets. They have been killed according to His own Word because His judgements are like light that goes forward.

6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

YHWH wants us to show mercy, not sacrifice of our children, and to have the knowledge of YHWH, rather than giving burnt offerings. Now, this does not mean He doesn’t want us to do these things, but what it does mean is the other things need to be addressed first.  

7 “But like men they transgressed the covenant; There they dealt treacherously with Me.

But, like Adam, Israel broke the Law of YHWH. They were unfaithful in keeping their vows, which were His Laws.

8 Gilead is a city of evildoers And defiled with blood.

Gilead is a place of great evil, and defiled with blood. This is likely a place where children were being sacrificed to false gods.

9 As bands of robbers lie in wait for a man, So the company of priests murder on the way to Shechem; Surely they commit lewdness.

Similar to robbers waiting for a victim, the priests of Israel murder while going to Shechem. This is according to their plans.

10 I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel: There is the harlotry of Ephraim; Israel is defiled.

YHWH has witnessed these horrible things being done by the House of Israel. Israel has been defiled.

 

11 Also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed for you, When I return the captives of My people.

Judah will also receive a harvest when the House of Israel is returned back to YHWH.