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⇱ Hosea 5:3 I know all about Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me. For now, O Ephraim, you have turned to prostitution; Israel is defiled.

Bible > Hosea > Chapter 5 > Verse 3
◄ Hosea 5:3 ►
New International Version
I know all about Ephraim; Israel is not hidden from me. Ephraim, you have now turned to prostitution; Israel is corrupt.

New Living Translation
I know what you are like, O Ephraim. You cannot hide yourself from me, O Israel. You have left me as a prostitute leaves her husband; you are utterly defiled.

English Standard Version
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me; for now, O Ephraim, you have played the whore; Israel is defiled.

Berean Standard Bible
I know all about Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me. For now, O Ephraim, you have turned to prostitution; Israel is defiled.

King James Bible
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.

New King James Version
I know Ephraim, And Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you commit harlotry; Israel is defiled.

New American Standard Bible
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me; Because now, Ephraim, you have been unfaithful, Israel has defiled itself.

NASB 1995
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you have played the harlot, Israel has defiled itself.

NASB 1977
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you have played the harlot, Israel has defiled itself.

Legacy Standard Bible
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you have played the harlot; Israel has defiled itself.

Amplified Bible
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you have played the prostitute and have worshiped idols; Israel has defiled itself.

Christian Standard Bible
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me. For now, Ephraim, you have acted promiscuously; Israel is defiled.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me. For now, Ephraim, you have acted promiscuously; Israel is defiled.

American Standard Version
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me; for now, O Ephraim, thou hast played the harlot, Israel is defiled.

Contemporary English Version
Israel, I know all about you, and because of your unfaithfulness, I find you unacceptable.

English Revised Version
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou hast committed whoredom, Israel is defiled.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I know Ephraim, and Israel isn't a stranger to me. Now, Ephraim, you are acting like a prostitute, and Israel is unclean.

Good News Translation
I know what Israel is like--she cannot hide from me. She has been unfaithful, and her people are unfit to worship me."

International Standard Version
I know Ephraim, and Israel cannot hide from me, since you, Ephraim, have been acting like a prostitute, defiling Israel.

NET Bible
I know Ephraim all too well; the evil of Israel is not hidden from me. For you have engaged in prostitution, O Ephraim; Israel has defiled itself.

New Heart English Bible
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me; for now, Ephraim, you have played the prostitute. Israel is defiled.

Webster's Bible Translation
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou art guilty of lewdness, and Israel is defiled.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
I know all about Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me. For now, O Ephraim, you have turned to prostitution; Israel is defiled.

World English Bible
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me; for now, Ephraim, you have played the prostitute. Israel is defiled.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I have known Ephraim, "" And Israel has not been hid from Me, "" For now you have gone whoring, Ephraim, "" Israel is defiled.

Young's Literal Translation
I have known Ephraim, And Israel hath not been hid from me, For now thou hast gone a-whoring, Ephraim, Defiled is Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
I knew Ephraim and Israel were not hid from me: for now thou didst commit fornication, O Ephraim; Israel was deified.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now Ephraim hath committed fornication, Israel is defiled.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I know Ephraim, and Israel has not been hidden from me, yet now Ephraim has committed fornication, and Israel has been contaminated.

New American Bible
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me: Now, Ephraim, you have practiced prostitution, Israel is defiled.

New Revised Standard Version
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from me; for now, O Ephraim, you have played the whore; Israel is defiled.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me; for now Ephraim has committed whoredom, and Israel is defiled.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I know Aphreim and Israel is not hidden from me, because Aphreim has now committed whoredom, and Israel is defiled
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I, even I, know Ephraim, And Israel is not hid from Me; For now, O Ephraim, thou hast committed harlotry, Israel is defiled.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I know Ephraim, and Israel is not far from me: for now Ephraim has gone grievously a-whoring, Israel is defiled.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Judgment on Israel and Judah
…2The rebels are deep in slaughter; but I will chastise them all. 3I know all about Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me. For now, O Ephraim, you have turned to prostitution; Israel is defiled. 4Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God, for a spirit of prostitution is within them, and they do not know the LORD.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 11:18
And the LORD informed me, so I knew. Then You showed me their deeds.

Amos 3:2
“Only you have I known from all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”

Isaiah 29:15
Woe to those who dig deep to hide their plans from the LORD. In darkness they do their works and say, “Who sees us, and who will know?”

Psalm 139:1-4
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. / You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. / You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. ...

Ezekiel 11:5
And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me and told me to declare that this is what the LORD says: “That is what you are thinking, O house of Israel; and I know the thoughts that arise in your minds.

Jeremiah 16:17
For My eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from My face, and their guilt is not concealed from My eyes.

Isaiah 57:12
I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not profit you.

Psalm 90:8
You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence.

Jeremiah 23:24
“Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.

Ezekiel 8:12
“Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? For they are saying, ‘The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.’”

Matthew 10:26
So do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.

Luke 12:2-3
There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. / What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.

Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

John 2:24-25
But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all. / He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.

Revelation 2:23
Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.


Amos 3:2
You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

Hebrews 4:13
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Revelation 3:15
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Ephraim.

Hosea 5:9,11,13
Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be…

Hosea 6:4
O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.

Hosea 8:11
Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.

thou.

Hosea 4:17,18
Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone…

1 Kings 12:26-33
And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: …

1 Kings 14:14-16
Moreover the LORD shall raise him up a king over Israel, who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam that day: but what? even now…

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A-Whoring Committed Committest Corrupt Defiled Ephraim E'phraim False. Guilty Harlot Harlotry Hid Hidden Israel Itself Lewdness Played Prostitute Prostitution Secret Turned Whoredom
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A-Whoring Committed Committest Corrupt Defiled Ephraim E'phraim False. Guilty Harlot Harlotry Hid Hidden Israel Itself Lewdness Played Prostitute Prostitution Secret Turned Whoredom
Hosea 5
1. The judgments of God are denounced against the priests, people, and princes,
9. both of Israel and Judah, for their manifold sins.
15. An intimation is given of mercy on their repentance.














I know all about Ephraim
This phrase indicates God's intimate knowledge of Ephraim, representing the northern kingdom of Israel. Ephraim was the largest and most influential tribe, often used to denote the entire northern kingdom. God's omniscience is emphasized here, as He is fully aware of their actions and intentions. This echoes Psalm 139:1-4, where God's knowledge of human thoughts and actions is described in detail.

and Israel is not hidden from Me.
The phrase underscores God's ability to see beyond outward appearances and into the true state of Israel's heart. Despite any attempts to conceal their sins, nothing is hidden from God. This is consistent with Hebrews 4:13, which states that everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of God.

For now, O Ephraim, you have turned to prostitution;
Ephraim's turning to prostitution is a metaphor for idolatry and unfaithfulness to God. The imagery of prostitution is frequently used in the prophetic books to describe Israel's spiritual adultery, as seen in Jeremiah 3:6-9. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, akin to a marriage, where idolatry is equated with infidelity.

Israel is defiled.
The defilement of Israel signifies moral and spiritual corruption. This defilement results from their idolatrous practices and abandonment of God's laws. Leviticus 18:24-30 warns against defilement through idolatry and immorality, highlighting the consequences of such actions. The defilement also foreshadows the eventual judgment and exile that Israel would face due to their persistent unfaithfulness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ephraim
A prominent tribe in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often used to represent the entire Northern Kingdom. Known for its significant role in Israel's history and its eventual fall into idolatry and sin.

2. Israel
The Northern Kingdom, consisting of ten tribes, distinct from the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Known for its repeated disobedience and idolatry, leading to its eventual exile.

3. Prostitution (Spiritual)
A metaphor used by the prophets to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God through idolatry and alliances with foreign nations.
Teaching Points
God's Omniscience
God knows the hearts and actions of His people. Nothing is hidden from Him, and He is aware of both our faithfulness and our failings.

Spiritual Unfaithfulness
Just as Israel turned to idolatry, believers today must guard against spiritual unfaithfulness, which can manifest as prioritizing anything above God.

Call to Repentance
The message of Hosea is a call to return to God. Repentance is essential for restoration and healing in our relationship with Him.

Consequences of Sin
Israel's defilement serves as a warning of the consequences of persistent sin. It reminds us that sin leads to separation from God and eventual judgment.

God's Desire for Holiness
God desires His people to be holy and set apart. Our lives should reflect His character and values, avoiding the spiritual defilement that comes from sin.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Hosea 5:3?

2. How does Hosea 5:3 reveal God's awareness of our hidden sins?

3. What does "Ephraim" symbolize in Hosea 5:3, and how does it apply today?

4. How can we ensure our actions align with God's knowledge of us?

5. What other scriptures emphasize God's omniscience and awareness of our actions?

6. How should God's knowledge of our sins influence our daily repentance and behavior?

7. What does Hosea 5:3 reveal about God's knowledge of Israel's sins?

8. How does Hosea 5:3 challenge the idea of hidden sins?

9. What historical context is essential for understanding Hosea 5:3?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Hosea 5?

11. What are the different names for Israel?

12. What is the Bible's stance on prostitution?

13. What is the significance of the Tribe of Joseph?

14. In Hosea 9:15, how do we reconcile an 'all-loving' God with the statement that God hates His people in Gilgal?
What Does Hosea 5:3 Mean
I know all about Ephraim

God opens the verse by asserting complete, personal knowledge of Ephraim—the leading tribe that often represents the whole northern kingdom.

• Psalm 139:1-4 shows the same penetrating awareness: “You search out my path … and are acquainted with all my ways.”

• Hebrews 4:13 echoes it: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.”

Takeaway: Every national policy, every family pattern, every private thought lies exposed before the Lord. No committee room or living room escapes His gaze.

and Israel is not hidden from Me

The parallel statement widens the scope: the rest of the nation can’t slip under the radar either.

• Proverbs 15:3 reminds us, “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.”

• Jeremiah 16:17 adds, “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from Me.”

Because God sees everything, His coming judgment (Hosea 5:14-15) will be surgically precise, never unfair, yet impossible to evade.

For now, O Ephraim, you have turned to prostitution

“Prostitution” here is spiritual—a vivid picture of idolatry and divided loyalties.

• Hosea 4:12 already charged them with “playing the harlot” by consulting wooden idols.

• James 4:4 uses the same image for believers who cozy up to the world: “friendship with the world is hostility toward God.”

Key points:

– “For now” underscores immediacy; this isn’t ancient history but a present offense.

– The people chase political alliances (2 Kings 15:19-20) and pagan rituals, thinking they can keep God on the side. They can’t.

Israel is defiled

Defilement is the inevitable result of spiritual infidelity.

• Leviticus 18:24-25 warns that idolatry “defiled the land” until it “vomited out its inhabitants.”

• Isaiah 1:4 laments, “Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity… they have despised the Holy One of Israel.”

Defilement isn’t just ceremonial—it pollutes conscience, culture, and community, calling for cleansing that only repentance and God’s mercy can supply (Hosea 14:1-4).

summary

Hosea 5:3 pulls back the curtain on God’s heart and Israel’s sin: He sees everything, He is never fooled, and He names idolatry for what it is—spiritual prostitution that leaves a nation defiled. The verse is both diagnosis and invitation: because God knows us fully, we can’t hide, but we can return.

Verse 3. - I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me. All attempts at concealment are vain, though sinners try ever so much to hide their sins from the Divine Majesty. However deep they dig downward, God will bring their evil doings up and out to the light of day and punish them. For now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled. Israel is the northern kingdom, and Ephraim, being the most powerful tribe, is often identified with Israel; here, however, they are distinguished - Israel is the kingdom as a whole, and Ephraim is its leading tribe. This powerful tribe, ever envious of Judah, was the ringleader in the calf worship of Jeroboam and other idolatries; and through Ephraim's evil influence the other tribes, and so all Israel, were defiled.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I
אֲנִי֙ (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

know
יָדַ֣עְתִּי (yā·ḏa‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

Ephraim,
אֶפְרַ֔יִם (’ep̄·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

and Israel
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (wə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

is not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

hidden
נִכְחַ֣ד (niḵ·ḥaḏ)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3582: To secrete, by act, word, to destroy

from Me.
מִמֶּ֑נִּי (mim·men·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

For
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

now,
עַתָּה֙ (‘at·tāh)
Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

O Ephraim,
אֶפְרַ֔יִם (’ep̄·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

you have turned to prostitution;
הִזְנֵ֣יתָ (hiz·nê·ṯā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2181: To commit adultery, to commit idolatry

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

is defiled.
נִטְמָ֖א (niṭ·mā)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean


Links
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OT Prophets: Hosea 5:3 I know Ephraim and Israel is not (Ho Hs Hos.)