Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face— in their misery they will earnestly seek me.” New Living Translation Then I will return to my place until they admit their guilt and turn to me. For as soon as trouble comes, they will earnestly search for me.” English Standard Version I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me. Berean Standard Bible Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” Berean Literal Bible I will go—I will turn back to My place, until that they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” King James Bible I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. New King James Version I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” New American Standard Bible I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their distress they will search for Me. NASB 1995 I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me. NASB 1977 I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me. Legacy Standard Bible I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will seek Me earnestly. Amplified Bible I will go away and return to My place [on high] Until they acknowledge their offense and bear their guilt and seek My face; In their distress they will earnestly seek Me, saying, Berean Annotated Bible Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me. Christian Standard Bible I will depart and return to my place until they recognize their guilt and seek my face; they will search for me in their distress. Holman Christian Standard Bible I will depart and return to My place until they recognize their guilt and seek My face; they will search for Me in their distress. American Standard Version I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me earnestly. Contemporary English Version Then I'll return to my temple until they confess their guilt and worship me, until they are desperate and beg for my help. English Revised Version I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me earnestly. GOD'S WORD® Translation I will go back to my place until they admit that they are guilty. Then they will search for me. In their distress they will eagerly look for me." Good News Translation "I will abandon my people until they have suffered enough for their sins and come looking for me. Perhaps in their suffering they will try to find me." International Standard Version "I will leave and go back to my place until they admit their offense and seek my face. When affliction comes to them, they will eagerly seek me." NET Bible Then I will return again to my lair until they have suffered their punishment. Then they will seek me; in their distress they will earnestly seek me. New Heart English Bible I will go and return to my place, until they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face. In their affliction they will seek me earnestly." Webster's Bible Translation I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” World English Bible I will go and return to my place, until they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face. In their affliction they will seek me earnestly.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI go—I return to My place, "" Until they are desolate, and have sought My face. In their distress they seek Me speedily!” Berean Literal Bible I will go—I will turn back to My place, until that they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” Young's Literal Translation I go -- I turn back unto My place, Till that they are desolate, and have sought My face. In their distress they do seek Me speedily!' Smith's Literal Translation I will go and turn back to my place, even till when they shall be guilty, and they sought my face: in straitness to them they will turn to me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI will go and return to my place: until you are consumed, and seek my face. Catholic Public Domain Version I will go and return to my place, until you shall grow faint and seek my face. New American Bible I will go back to my place until they make reparation and seek my presence. In their affliction, they shall look for me. New Revised Standard Version I will return again to my place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face. In their distress they will beg my favor: Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI will return and go to my place, till they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face; in their affliction they will seek me early. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated I shall return, I shall go to my place until they are guilty and they will seek my face, and in their affliction they will come before my presence OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917I will go and return to My place, Till they acknowledge their guilt, and seek My face; In their trouble they will seek Me earnestly: Brenton Septuagint Translation I will go and return to my place, until they are brought to nought, and then shall they seek my face. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context God's Judgment on Israel and Judah…14For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them. 15Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” Cross References Then I will return to My place Deuteronomy 31:17-18 On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, so that they will be consumed, and many troubles and afflictions will befall them. On that day they will say, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’ / And on that day I will surely hide My face because of all the evil they have done by turning to other gods. Isaiah 54:7-8 “For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will bring you back. / In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer. Micah 3:4 Then they will cry out to the LORD, but He will not answer them. At that time He will hide His face from them because of the evil they have done. until they admit their guilt Jeremiah 3:12-13 Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, O faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will no longer look on you with anger, for I am merciful,’ declares the LORD. ‘I will not be angry forever. / Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the LORD your God. You have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every green tree and have not obeyed My voice,’” declares the LORD. Leviticus 26:40-42 But if they will confess their iniquity and that of their fathers in the unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, by which they have also walked in hostility toward Me— / and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity, / then I will remember My covenant with Jacob and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land. Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. and seek My face; 2 Chronicles 7:14 and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Psalm 27:8 My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek. Psalm 105:4 Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always. in their affliction Psalm 107:13-14 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. / He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke away their chains. Deuteronomy 4:29-30 But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. / When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. Judges 10:15-16 “We have sinned,” the Israelites said to the LORD. “Deal with us as You see fit; but please deliver us today!” / So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, and He could no longer bear the misery of Israel. they will earnestly seek Me.” Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Psalm 63:1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water. Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. Treasury of Scripture I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. return. Hosea 5:6 They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them. Exodus 25:21,22 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee… 1 Kings 8:10-13 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, … till. Hosea 14:1-3 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity… Leviticus 26:40-42 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; … Deuteronomy 4:29-31 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul… acknowledge their offence. Judges 4:3 And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. Judges 6:6,7 And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD… Judges 10:10-16 And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim… Jump to Previous Acknowledge Admit Affliction Desolate Distress Early Earnestly Face Guilt Misery Offence Offense Search Seek Sought Speedily Trespass Trouble Turn WasteJump to Next Acknowledge Admit Affliction Desolate Distress Early Earnestly Face Guilt Misery Offence Offense Search Seek Sought Speedily Trespass Trouble Turn WasteHosea 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. Then I will return to My place This phrase indicates God's withdrawal from His people due to their persistent sin and rebellion. In biblical context, God's "place" often refers to His heavenly dwelling or the temple, symbolizing His presence. The withdrawal signifies a period of divine judgment and absence of favor, reminiscent of times when Israel experienced God's silence due to disobedience (e.g., 1 Samuel 4:21-22). until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me. Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe speaker in this verse, expressing His intention to withdraw His presence until Israel acknowledges their guilt and seeks Him. 2. Israel The nation being addressed, which has turned away from God and is experiencing His judgment. 3. Hosea The prophet through whom God delivers this message, calling Israel to repentance. 4. Judgment The context of this passage, where God is pronouncing judgment on Israel for their unfaithfulness. 5. Repentance The desired response from Israel, involving acknowledgment of guilt and a sincere seeking of God. Teaching Points God's Patience and WithdrawalGod’s decision to "return again to My place" signifies His patience and the seriousness of sin. It teaches us that God sometimes allows us to experience the consequences of our actions to bring us to repentance. The Necessity of Acknowledging Guilt True repentance begins with acknowledging our guilt. This verse reminds us that we must confront our sins honestly before seeking reconciliation with God. Seeking God in Affliction Affliction can be a tool used by God to draw us back to Him. In times of trouble, we should earnestly seek God, understanding that He desires to restore us. The Promise of Restoration God’s willingness to return when His people seek Him assures us of His readiness to forgive and restore. This encourages us to approach Him with confidence in His mercy. The Role of Affliction in Spiritual Growth Affliction often leads to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God. We should view challenges as opportunities to seek God more earnestly. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Hosea 5:15?2. How does Hosea 5:15 illustrate God's response to Israel's disobedience and sin? 3. What does "return to My place" reveal about God's nature in Hosea 5:15? 4. How can we seek God earnestly as encouraged in Hosea 5:15? 5. How does Hosea 5:15 connect with the theme of repentance in 2 Chronicles 7:14? 6. In what ways can Hosea 5:15 inspire personal reflection and spiritual growth today? 7. What does Hosea 5:15 reveal about God's response to Israel's disobedience? 8. How does Hosea 5:15 illustrate the concept of divine judgment and mercy? 9. Why does God choose to "return to My place" in Hosea 5:15? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Hosea 5? 11. Hosea 5:15 – How can one reconcile the notion of God “withdrawing” from His people with other passages that emphasize divine omnipresence and faithfulness? 12. How is God’s statement in Jeremiah 8:13 that He will take away the harvest reconciled with other passages promising provision and protection for the faithful? 13. Hosea 4:15: How can God hold the people responsible for following Judah’s sins if their fates are ultimately under His control? 14. Does God desire sacrifices? (Hosea 6:6 vs. Exodus 29:18) What Does Hosea 5:15 Mean Then I will return to My placeGod speaks of withdrawing His active presence. Earlier in Hosea (5:6), the people “have betrayed the LORD,” so He now promises to “return” to His heavenly throne, much like in Deuteronomy 31:17 where He says, “I will hide My face from them.” Psalm 81:12 shows the same pattern: when people persist in sin, He “gives them over to their stubborn hearts.” This is not abandonment forever, but a purposeful retreat that lets the consequences of rebellion be felt, echoing 2 Chronicles 7:14—the invitation remains open should they humble themselves. Until they admit their guilt The divine silence is temporary, lasting only “until” confession happens. Proverbs 28:13 states, “He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” David experienced this in Psalm 32:5: “I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ and You forgave.” Because Scripture consistently presents sin as a moral reality, not a mere mistake, admission of guilt is the first necessary step back to fellowship (Leviticus 26:40–42; 1 John 1:9). And seek My face Confession alone is incomplete; the heart must turn toward God Himself. Psalm 27:8 urges, “My heart said, ‘Seek His face.’ Your face, LORD, I will seek.” Jeremiah 29:13 promises, “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Hosea will soon echo this invitation: “Come, let us return to the LORD… He will revive us” (6:1–3). Genuine repentance moves beyond regret; it reaches for renewed intimacy—an earnest pursuit of the Lord’s favor, presence, and guidance (Isaiah 55:6–7; Hebrews 11:6). In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me Pain becomes the catalyst. Judges 10:9–16 shows Israel crying out when “great distress” came. Psalm 119:67 admits, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.” God disciplines “for our good, that we may share in His holiness” (Hebrews 12:10–11). Affliction strips away illusions of self-sufficiency, steering hearts back to the only real refuge. Like the prodigal son who “came to his senses” in famine (Luke 15:14–20), Israel will discover that hardship, rightly received, is a severe mercy drawing them home (Revelation 3:19). summary Hosea 5:15 reveals a loving God who, taking sin seriously, steps back so His people can feel the weight of their choices. He waits—not forever, but “until” they confess, repent, and actively seek Him. Affliction, rather than proof of rejection, becomes the means He uses to awaken earnest pursuit of His face. The verse assures that when guilt is admitted and God is sought, He stands ready to restore. (15) Tenderness blends with judgment, and insulted love bleeds and hopes. The image of the lion is dropped. Jehovah speaks of "His own place"--Heaven. He will cause all manifestations of His regard for them to cease till "they suffer punishment, and seek my face," and, like the prodigal in the flush of a new morning, will arise and go unto the Father.Hebrew Then I will returnאֵלֵ֤ךְ (’ê·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to My place מְקוֹמִ֔י (mə·qō·w·mî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition until עַ֥ד (‘aḏ) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while they admit their guilt יֶאְשְׁמ֖וּ (ye’·šə·mū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 816: To be guilty, to be punished, perish and seek וּבִקְשׁ֣וּ (ū·ḇiq·šū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after My face; פָנָ֑י (p̄ā·nāy) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 6440: The face in their affliction בַּצַּ֥ר (baṣ·ṣar) Preposition-b, Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent they will earnestly seek Me.” יְשַׁחֲרֻֽנְנִי׃ (yə·ša·ḥă·run·nî) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular, Paragogic nun Strong's 7836: To dawn, be, early at any task, to search for Links Hosea 5:15 NIVHosea 5:15 NLT Hosea 5:15 ESV Hosea 5:15 NASB Hosea 5:15 KJV Hosea 5:15 BibleApps.com Hosea 5:15 Biblia Paralela Hosea 5:15 Chinese Bible Hosea 5:15 French Bible Hosea 5:15 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Hosea 5:15 I will go and return to my (Ho Hs Hos.) |
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