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 9:16
KJVEphraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.
Read it in context
Israel’s Punishment
Start reading at Hosea 9:1 (Hosea 9:1 to Hosea 9:17).
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.
- 9:1 Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as other people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor.
- 9:2 The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.
- 9:3 They shall not dwell in the LORD's land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.
- 9:4 They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.
- 9:5 What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?
- 9:6 For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles.
- 9:7 The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.
- 9:8 The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.
- 9:9 They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.
- 9:10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
- 9:11 As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.
- 9:12 Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!
- 9:13 Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.
- 9:14 Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.
- 9:15 All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.
- 9:16 Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.
- 9:17 My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.
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? Israel’s Punishment. Read Hosea 9:1 through Hosea 9:17 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 Israel’s Punishment (Hosea 9:1 to Hosea 9:17). Start reading at Hosea 9:1. 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 9:1, Hosea 9:17, 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
- their root Hos 9:11-13 Job 18:16 Isa 5:24 Isa 40:24 Mal 4:1
- the beloved fruit Ezek 24:21
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 9
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.