Hosea 4

“Hear the word of the LORD , ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land…” Naming Hear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.” The line’s distinctive content terms include blood, adultery, break. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.” Naming Yet keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.” The line’s distinctive content terms include change, glory, increased. Its relationship to verses 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.” The line’s distinctive content terms include heart, iniquity, people. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.” Naming Whoredom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” Naming Ephraim keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love, Give ye.” Naming Give and Their keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The wind hath bound her up in her wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.