Hosea 7:14 Meaning and Explanation
“And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Their cries are mere wailing on their beds, not heartfelt; they gather for grain and wine while rebelling against God.
What Does Hosea 7:14 Mean?
God exposes the hollowness of the people's religion. They howl upon their beds in distress, but they do not cry out to Him from the heart. Their assemblies are gatherings for grain and new wine, prayers aimed at provision rather than the Provider, and beneath it all lies rebellion.
God listens for the heart, not merely the noise of complaint. It is possible to make a great sound of devotion while wanting only what God gives and not God Himself. The verse calls every reader to a deeper kind of prayer, one that cries out for the Lord with the whole heart.
Hosea 7:14 in the Original Language
zaaq (זָעַק), 'cried' -- to cry out for help, an earnest appeal in distress.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hosea 7:14
What does Hosea 7:14 mean?
Their cries are mere wailing on their beds, not heartfelt; they gather for grain and wine while rebelling against God.