Hosea 5:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The LORD summons priests, people, and palace alike to court, charging the leaders who should have guarded the nation with trapping it instead.
What Does Hosea 5:1 Mean?
Hosea prophesied to the northern kingdom in its final, unraveling years. Here the prophet calls three groups to attention at once: the priests who teach, the whole house of Israel, and the royal house that governs. Judgment is announced against all of them. Mizpah and Tabor were well-known heights, places of worship and lookout; instead of being refuges, the leaders had turned them into a snare and a net for the people.
When those entrusted to guard a people become the ones who ensnare it, the wound goes deep. God holds shepherds accountable for the flock. Yet the same Lord who summons sinners to judgment is the One who would come as the faithful Shepherd, laying down His life rather than scattering the sheep. The verse calls every leader and every soul to listen before the reckoning, for to hear is the first step toward mercy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hosea 5:1
What does Hosea 5:1 mean?
The LORD summons priests, people, and palace alike to court, charging the leaders who should have guarded the nation with trapping it instead.