8 They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness.

Other Translations of Hosea 4:8

King James Version

8 They eat up the sin of my people, and they set set...: Heb. lift up their soul to their heart on their iniquity.

English Standard Version

8 They feed on the sinOr sin offering of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity.

The Message

8 They pig out on my people's sins. They can't wait for the latest in evil.

New King James Version

8 They eat up the sin of My people; They set their heart on their iniquity.

New Living Translation

8 "When the people bring their sin offerings, the priests get fed. So the priests are glad when the people sin!

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hosea 4:8

Commentary on Hosea 4:6-11

(Read Hosea 4:6-11)

Both priests and people rejected knowledge; God will justly reject them. They forgot the law of God, neither desired nor endeavoured to retain it in mind, and to transmit the remembrance to their posterity; therefore God will justly forget them and their children. If we dishonour God with that which is our honour, it will, sooner or later, be turned into shame to us. Instead of warning the people against sin, from the consideration of the sacrifices, which showed what an offence sin was to God, since it needed an atonement, the priests encouraged the people to sin, since atonement might be made at so small an expense. It is very wicked to be pleased with the sins of others, because they may turn to our advantage. What is unlawfully gained, cannot be comfortably used. The people and the priests hardened one another in sin; therefore justly shall they share in the punishment. Sharers in sin must expect to share in ruin. Any lust harboured in the heart, in time will eat out all its strength and vigour. That is the reason why many professors grow so heavy, so dull, so dead in the way of religion. They have a liking for some secret lust, which takes away their hearts.