Hosea 6:3 So let us know--let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.

◄ Hosea 6:3 ►

New International Version
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

New Living Translation
Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”

English Standard Version
Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”

Berean Standard Bible
So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.

King James Bible
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

New King James Version
Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth.

New American Standard Bible
“So let’s learn, let’s press on to know the LORD. His appearance is as sure as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, As the spring rain waters the earth.”

NASB 1995
“So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.”

NASB 1977
“So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So let us know, let us pursue to know Yahweh. His going forth is established as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the late rain watering the earth.”

Amplified Bible
“So let us know and become personally acquainted with Him; let us press on to know and understand fully the [greatness of the] LORD [to honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him]. His appearing is prepared and is as certain as the dawn, And He will come to us [in salvation] like the [heavy] rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.”

Christian Standard Bible
Let’s strive to know the LORD. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Let us strive to know the LORD. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land.

American Standard Version
And let us know, let us follow on to know Jehovah: his going forth is sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth.

Contemporary English Version
Let's do our best to know the LORD. His coming is as certain as the morning sun; he will refresh us like rain renewing the earth in the springtime.

English Revised Version
And let us know, let us follow on to know the LORD; his going forth is sure as the morning: and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Let's learn about the LORD. Let's get to know the LORD. He will come to us as sure as the morning comes. He will come to us like the autumn rains and the spring rains that water the ground.

Good News Translation
Let us try to know the LORD. He will come to us as surely as the day dawns, as surely as the spring rains fall upon the earth."

International Standard Version
Let us know, let us pursue knowledge of the LORD; his coming is as certain as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the autumn and spring rains come on the earth.

Majority Standard Bible
So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.

NET Bible
So let us acknowledge him! Let us seek to acknowledge the LORD! He will come to our rescue as certainly as the appearance of the dawn, as certainly as the winter rain comes, as certainly as the spring rain that waters the land."

New Heart English Bible
Let us acknowledge the LORD. Let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, The LORD will appear. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain that waters the earth."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he will come to us as the rain, as the latter and former rain to the earth.

World English Bible
Let’s acknowledge Yahweh. Let’s press on to know Yahweh. As surely as the sun rises, Yahweh will appear. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain that waters the earth.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And we know—we pursue to know YHWH, "" His going forth is prepared as the dawn, "" And He comes in as a shower to us, "" As spring rain [and] autumn rain to the earth.”

Young's Literal Translation
And we know -- we pursue to know Jehovah, As the dawn prepared is His going forth, And He cometh in as a shower to us, As gathered rain -- sprinkling earth.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And we shall know, we shall pursue to know Jehovah: as the morning his going forth was prepared; and he shall come as the rain to us, as the latter rain, the early rain of the earth.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
He will revive us after two days: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. We shall know, and we shall follow on, that we may know the Lord. His going forth is prepared as the morning light, and he will come to us as the early and the latter rain to the earth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, and we will live in his sight. We will understand, and we will continue on, so that we may know the Lord. His landing place has been prepared like the first light of morning, and he will come to us like the early and the late rains of the land.

New American Bible
Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD; as certain as the dawn is his coming. He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth.”

New Revised Standard Version
Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then shall we know to follow after the knowledge of the LORD; his going forth is prepared as the dawn; and he shall come to us as the rain, as the spring rain which waters the earth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And we shall know to go on to the knowledge of LORD JEHOVAH as the dawn, for his going forth is prepared, and he shall come to us as the rain and like spring rain which waters the land

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And let us know, eagerly strive to know the LORD, His going forth is sure as the morning; And He shall come unto us as the rain, As the latter rain that watereth the earth.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
let us follow on to know the Lord: we shall find him ready as the morning, and he will come to us as the early and latter rain to the earth.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Israel and Judah are Unrepentant
…2After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence. 3So let us know— let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth. 4What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

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 45:8
Drip down, O heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open up that salvation may sprout and righteousness spring up with it; I, the LORD, have created it.

Deuteronomy 4:29
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.

John 7:37-38
On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. / Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

Psalm 42:1-2
For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. / My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?

Isaiah 26:9
My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit seeks You at dawn. For when Your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.

Philippians 3:10
I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,

Psalm 27:8
My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek.

Isaiah 55:10-11
For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, / so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

John 4:14
But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.”

Psalm 105:4
Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.

Treasury of Scripture

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come to us as the rain, as the latter and former rain to the earth.

we know.

Hosea 2:20
I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

Isaiah 54:13
And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

Jeremiah 24:7
And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

if.

Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; …

Matthew 13:11
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

John 7:17
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

his going.

2 Samuel 23:4
And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.

Psalm 19:4
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

as the rain.

Hosea 10:12
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Hosea 14:5
I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

Deuteronomy 32:2
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

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Hosea 6

1. Exhortations to repent and hope in God.
4. A lamentation over those who had sinned after conviction.
5. Reproofs of obstinate sinners, and threats against them.

Berean Study Bible

Let us know
This phrase is an invitation to pursue a deeper understanding and relationship with God. The Hebrew word for "know" is "yada," which implies an intimate, experiential knowledge rather than mere intellectual awareness. This suggests a call to engage with God on a personal level, seeking to understand His character and will. Historically, this reflects the covenant relationship God desired with Israel, where knowing Him was central to their identity as His people.

press on to know
The repetition of "know" emphasizes the importance of persistence in seeking God. The Hebrew word "radaf," translated as "press on," conveys a sense of pursuing with determination and vigor. This reflects the idea that knowing God is not a passive endeavor but requires active and continuous effort. In the context of Hosea, this is a call to return to God with earnestness, contrasting Israel's previous unfaithfulness.

the LORD
The use of "the LORD" (YHWH) signifies the covenant name of God, highlighting His eternal, self-existent nature and His special relationship with Israel. This name is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His desire for His people to remain faithful to Him. In the broader biblical narrative, it underscores the personal and relational aspect of God's character.

As surely as the sun rises
This phrase uses the certainty of the sunrise as a metaphor for God's faithfulness and reliability. Just as the sun rises each day without fail, so too can God's people trust in His steadfastness. This imagery would have been powerful in the ancient Near Eastern context, where the regularity of the sun was a fundamental aspect of life and order.

He will appear
The promise of God's appearance speaks to His willingness to reveal Himself to those who seek Him. The Hebrew word "bo" suggests coming or arriving, indicating that God is not distant or aloof but actively engages with His people. This assurance would have been comforting to the Israelites, who often felt abandoned due to their disobedience.

He will come to us like the rain
Rain in the ancient Near East was a symbol of blessing and life, essential for agriculture and survival. This metaphor highlights God's provision and the life-giving nature of His presence. The comparison to rain suggests that just as rain refreshes and sustains the earth, so does God's presence renew and sustain His people.

like the spring showers that water the earth
The imagery of spring showers further emphasizes renewal and growth. In the agricultural society of ancient Israel, spring rains were crucial for the harvest. This metaphor not only underscores God's role as sustainer but also His timing and the abundance of His blessings. It reflects the hope of spiritual renewal and the flourishing that comes from a restored relationship with God.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord. This is more accurately rendered by, let us therefore know, hunt after the knowledge of Jehovah, the verbs being both cohortative and no conditional particle ("if") in the second clause. The second clause is a more emphatic and energetic reaffirmation of the first, urging to active and zealous effort and steady perseverance in obtaining the knowledge of God - a knowledge theoretic, but especially practical. Aben Ezra understands the exhortation of intellectual knowledge: "To know Jehovah is the secret of all wisdom, and for this alone was man created. But he cannot know God till he has learnt many doctrines of wisdom, which are, as it were, a ladder in order to mount up to this highest step of knowledge." Kimchi, on the other hand, though quoting Aben Ezra's comment with approval, inclines to the practical side of knowledge: "Let us follow on to know Jehovah, exercising justice and righteousness." His going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. Here, again, the translation of the Authorized Version is susceptible of improvement: his going forth is fixed as the morning dawn; and he shall come to us as the plentiful rain, as the latter rain which watereth (or, watering) the earth. Here we have two beautiful figures - the morning dawn and the fertilizing rain. The going forth of Jehovah is represented as the sun rising upon the earth, or rather as the dawn which heralds the day. The advent of salvation to his people is identified with, or symbolized by, his appearance. But the dawn of day only brings the commencement of salvation; its complement is found in the fruits and blessings of salvation. The root of motsav is zatsa, which is applied to the sunrise in Genesis 19:23, as also in Psalm 19:7. Parallel passages are found in Isaiah 58:8, "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning (dawn), and thy health shall spring forth speedily;" and Isaiah 9:2, "The Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee." Further, the word nakon, meaning "prepared," "fixed firm," is applied to the clear bright light of morning, as in Proverbs 4:18, "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect (nekon) day." The plentiful rain is that which falls after the sowing of the seed in October (the beginning of the Hebrew year) and in the following months; while the malqosh is the late or spring rain, which, tailing in March and till the middle of April, precedes and promotes the harvest. The LXX. translates the

(1) concluding clause by ὑετὸς πρώιμος and ὄψιμος erroneously, for zoreh is not a noun with b, being understood before "earth;" neither is it

(2) the future Hiph., which would necessitate the ellipse being supplied by asher; it is the Qal participle in the sense of" watering." Geshem is "a violent or plentiful rain," stronger than the usual word for" rain," matar; while malqosh is "the late rain" which ceases a short time before harvest. The explanation of the "dawn" by Aben Ezra is erroneous: "The intelligent man at the beginning knows God - blessed be he! - by his works, like the dawn of day in its going forth; but moment after moment the light increases, until the full truth becomes visible." Kimchi more correctly explains the figure as follows: "If we shall do this, viz. follow on to know the Lord, then he will be to us as the morning dawn, of which the going forth is fixed [purposed by God and certain] as though he said, He will cause his light and his goodness to shine over us." His comment on the second similitude is equally appropriate: "He will come to us as the plentiful rain, as the plentiful rain which revives the dead plants; so man sunk in sorrow is like one dead; but when deliverance comes to him it is with him as if he revived out of his dead state." Thus he shall be to his people as "morning to the weary watcher," and as "plentiful rain to the parched ground."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

So let us know—
וְנֵדְעָ֣ה (wə·nê·ḏə·‘āh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

let us press
נִרְדְּפָ֗ה (nir·də·p̄āh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

on to know
לָדַ֙עַת֙ (lā·ḏa·‘aṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3045: To know

the LORD.
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

As surely as
נָכ֣וֹן (nā·ḵō·wn)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

the sun rises,
כְּשַׁ֖חַר (kə·ša·ḥar)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7837: Dawn

He will appear;
מֽוֹצָא֑וֹ (mō·w·ṣā·’ōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4161: A place or act of going forth, issue, export, source, spring

He will come
וְיָב֤וֹא (wə·yā·ḇō·w)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to us
לָ֔נוּ (lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

like the rain,
כַגֶּ֙שֶׁם֙ (ḵag·ge·šem)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1653: Rain, shower

like the spring showers
כְּמַלְק֖וֹשׁ (kə·mal·qō·wōš)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4456: The spring rain, eloquence

that water
י֥וֹרֶה (yō·w·reh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3138: Sprinkling, a sprinkling

the earth.
אָֽרֶץ׃ (’ā·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

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OT Prophets: Hosea 6:3 Let us acknowledge Yahweh (Ho Hs Hos.)