Hosea 14:9

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The prophet Hosea delivers this closing address to Israel following God’s promise to restore Ephraim and end idolatrous reliance. The speaker is God through the prophet, addressing the nation at the conclusion of a call to return.

The words — The term יְשָׁרִ֞ים (ye.sha.Rim) translates literally as “upright” or “direct,” describing the character of the LORD’s ways. The opening word מִ֤י (mi) functions as an interrogative pronoun meaning “who?” that introduces a rhetorical call to wisdom.

The thread — The call to wisdom and understanding echoes in Psalms 107:43, which urges the discerning to observe the LORD’s steadfast love. The contrast between those who follow God’s path and those who face ruin parallels the moral divide described in Proverbs 10:29. The theme of discerning divine speech also resonates with John 8:47, which ties hearing God’s words to one’s spiritual allegiance.

Why it lands — The text states that the LORD’s ways are straight and that the righteous walk in them while the rebellious stumble. It requires readers to actively pursue discernment and align their conduct with divine instruction rather than persist in defiance.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

מִ֤יmiwho?חָכָם֙cha.Kham[is] wise וְיָ֣בֵֽןve./Ya.venand/ let him understand אֵ֔לֶּה'E.lehthese [things]נָב֖וֹןna.Vondiscerning?וְיֵֽדָעֵ֑םve./ye.da.'E/mand/ let him know/ them כִּֽי־ki-for יְשָׁרִ֞יםye.sha.Rim[are] upright דַּרְכֵ֣יdar.Khei[the] ways of יְהוָ֗הYah.wehYahweh וְצַדִּקִים֙ve./tza.di.Kimand/ righteous [people]יֵ֣לְכוּYe.le.khuthey walkבָ֔םVa/min/ themוּפֹשְׁעִ֖יםu./fo.she.'Imand/ transgressors יִכָּ֥שְׁלוּyi.Ka.she.luthey stumbleבָֽם׃Va/min/ them

King James Version

Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

Cross-references

Proverbs 10:29 The way of the LORD is a refuge to the upright, but destruction awaits those who do evil.
Psalms 107:43 Let him who is wise pay heed to these things and consider the loving devotion of the LORD.
John 8:47 Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
Daniel 12:10 Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but the wicked will continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.
Proverbs 1:5 let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel
Psalms 19:7 The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Jeremiah 9:12 Who is the man wise enough to understand this? To whom has the mouth of the LORD spoken, that he may explain it? Why is the land destroyed and scorched like a desert, so no one can pass through it?
Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.
Isaiah 26:7 The path of the righteous is level; You clear a straight path for the upright.
Zephaniah 3:5 The LORD within her is righteous; He does no wrong. He applies His justice morning by morning; He does not fail at dawn, yet the unjust know no shame.