FocusIdolatry, injustice, and false security
Connection to the wholeThe oracles expose the people's and leaders' failures and announce the consequences of their refusal to return.
interpretation Hosea 7:11
KJVEphraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.
Read it in context
Ephraim’s Iniquity
Start reading at Hosea 7:1 (Hosea 7:1 to Hosea 7:16).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The oracles expose the people's and leaders' failures and announce the consequences of their refusal to return.
- 7:1 When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without.
- 7:2 And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.
- 7:3 They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.
- 7:4 They are all adulterers, as an oven heated by the baker, who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, until it be leavened.
- 7:5 In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners.
- 7:6 For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire.
- 7:7 They are all hot as an oven, and have devoured their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me.
- 7:8 Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
- 7:9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.
- 7:10 And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this.
- 7:11 Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.
- 7:12 When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard.
- 7:13 Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.
- 7:14 And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me.
- 7:15 Though I have bound and strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against me.
- 7:16 They return, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Hosea son of Beeri is the named prophet and traditional author of the collected message. Biblical references: Hosea 1:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Hosea 4:1–14:9): Hosea addresses Israel, including its priests and rulers, with warnings also involving Judah. The closing appeal calls Israel to return to the LORD. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Primarily the northern kingdom of Israel, often called Ephraim, with warnings also concerning Judah. Biblical references: Hosea 4:1; Hosea 5:1; Hosea 5:5. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Ephraim’s Iniquity. Read Hosea 7:1 through Hosea 7:16 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The oracles expose the people's and leaders' failures and announce the consequences of their refusal to return. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The opening names kings of Judah and Jeroboam of Israel. The oracles address that setting while also announcing future judgment and restoration. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Israel, especially the northern kingdom, is central; the poetry also recalls Egypt, wilderness, and other places in the covenant story. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Ephraim’s Iniquity (Hosea 7:1 to Hosea 7:16). Start reading at Hosea 7:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Matthew applies Hosea's words about calling the son out of Egypt to Jesus. Hosea's immediate passage recalls Israel's history, so the later application and the original reference should both be stated. See Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Respond to the call to return with faithful conduct rather than empty religious activity. Marriage imagery should be read as the book's covenant portrayal, not casually imposed on a reader's private circumstances. interpretation
Cited: Hosea 7:1, Hosea 7:16, Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15
Who wrote it, and how we know
Hosea
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the word of the LORD that came to Hosea.
Hosea 1:1
Early traditionTradition names Hosea.
Related passages
- a silly Hos 11:11
- without Hos 4:11 Prov 6:32 Prov 15:32 Prov 17:16
- they call Hos 5:13 Hos 8:8-9 Hos 9:3 Hos 12:1 Hos 14:3 2 Kgs 15:19 2 Kgs 17:3-4 Isa 30:1-6
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Hosea 7
Hosea's opening names the reigns associated with his ministry. Marriage and family imagery portray the LORD's relationship with Israel; distinguish enacted signs, poetic speech, and direct exhortation. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Hosea 1:1 Hosea 3:1 Hosea 14:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Hosea
Hosea's opening names the reigns associated with his ministry. Marriage and family imagery portray the LORD's relationship with Israel; distinguish enacted signs, poetic speech, and direct exhortation.
Hosea 1:1 Hosea 3:1 Hosea 14:1
Marriage and the covenant relationship
Hosea 1:1–3:5FocusUnfaithfulness, judgment, and restoration
Connection to the wholeThe family imagery establishes the book's portrayal of Israel's unfaithfulness and the LORD's announced purpose of restoration.
interpretation FocusIdolatry, injustice, and false security
Connection to the wholeThe oracles expose the people's and leaders' failures and announce the consequences of their refusal to return.
interpretation The LORD's love and the call to return
Hosea 11:1–14:9FocusMemory, judgment, and healing
Connection to the wholeThe closing movement recalls the relationship, renews the indictment, and ends with an appeal to return and a promise of healing.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.