The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Hosea 10
1 Israel is a luxuriant vine that produces
his fruit. According to the abundance of his
fruit he has multiplied his altars.
As their land has prospered, they have
adorned their sacred stones.
2 Their heart is divided.
Now they will be found guilty.
He will demolish their altars.
He will destroy their sacred stones.
3 Surely now they will say, “We have no
king; for we don’t fear Yahweh;
and the king, what can he do for us?”
4 They make promises, swearing falsely in
making covenants. Therefore judgment springs up like
poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field.
5 The inhabitants of Samaria will be in
terror for the calves of Beth Aven,
for its people will mourn over it,
along with its priests who rejoiced
over it, for its glory, because
it has departed from it.
6 It also will be carried to Assyria for a
present to a great king. Ephraim will receive shame,
and Israel will be ashamed of his own counsel.
7 Samaria and her king float away
like a twig on the water.
8 The high places also of Aven, the sin of
Israel, will be destroyed. The thorn and
the thistle will come up on their altars.
They will tell the mountains, “Cover
us!” and the hills, “Fall on us!”
9 “Israel, you have sinned from the days of
Gibeah. There they remained.
The battle against the children of
iniquity doesn’t overtake them in
Gibeah.
10 When it is my desire,I will chastise them;
and the nations will be gathered against them
when they are bound to their two
transgressions.
11 Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to
thresh, so I will put a yoke on her beautiful
neck. I will set a rider on Ephraim.
Judah will plow. Jacob will break his clods.
12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness,
reap according to kindness.
Break up your fallow ground,
for it is time to seek Yahweh,
until he comes and rains righteousness on you.
13 You have plowed wickedness.
You have reaped iniquity.
You have eaten the fruit of lies,
for you trusted in your way, in the
multitude of your mighty men.
14 Therefore a battle roar will arise among
your people, and all your fortresses will be destroyed,
as Shalman destroyed Beth Arbel in
the day of battle. The mother was
dashed in pieces with her children.
15 So Bethel will do to you because of your
great wickedness. At daybreak the king of
Israel will be destroyed.