Hosea 13:4-14

Death and Resurrection

4 I have been the Lord your God ever since^[a] the land of Egypt; you know no God but Me, and no Savior exists besides Me.

5 I knew^[b] you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.

6 When they had pasture, they became satisfied; they were satisfied, and their hearts became proud. Therefore they forgot Me.

7 So I will be like a lion to them; I will lurk like a leopard on the path.

8 I will attack them like a bear robbed of her cubs and tear open the rib cage over their hearts. I will devour them there like a lioness, like a wild beast that would rip them open.

9 I will destroy you, Israel; you have no help but Me.^[c]

10 Where now is your king,^[d] that he may save you in all your cities, and the^[e] rulers^[f] you demanded, saying: Give me a king and leaders?

11 I give you a king in My anger and take away [a king] in My wrath.

12 Ephraim's guilt is preserved; his sin is stored up.

13 Labor pains come on him. He is not a wise son; when the time comes, he will not be born.^[g]

14 I will^[h] ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will^[i] redeem them from death. Death, where are your barbs? Sheol, where is your sting?^[j] Compassion is hidden from My eyes.

Hosea 13:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 13

This chapter begins with observing the different state and condition of Ephraim before and after his idolatry, Ho 13:1; his increase in it, Ho 13:2; and therefore his prosperity was very short lived, which is signified by various metaphors, Ho 13:3; and his sins are aggravated by the former goodness of God unto him his great ingratitude unto God, and forgetfulness him, Ho 13:4-6; hence he is threatened with his wrath and vengeance in a very severe manner, Ho 13:7,8; for which he had none to blame but himself; yea, such was the grace and goodness of God to him, that though he had destroyed himself, yet there were help and salvation for him in him, Ho 13:9; though not in his king he had desired, and was given, and was took away in wrath, Ho 13:10,11; but his sin being bound up and hid, and he foolish and unwise, sharp corrections would be given him, Ho 13:12,13; and yet a gracious promise is made of redemption from death and the grave by the Messiah, Ho 13:14; but, notwithstanding this, and all his present prosperity, he would be blasted in his wealth and riches; and Samaria the metropolis of his country would he desolate; and the inhabitants of it be used in the most cruel manner, because of their rebellion against God, Ho 13:15,16.

Footnotes

• [a]. DSS, LXX read God who brought you out of
• [b]. LXX, Syr read fed
• [c]. LXX reads At your destruction, Israel, who will help you?
• [d]. LXX, Syr, Vg; MT reads I will be your king
• [e]. Lit your
• [f]. Or judges
• [g]. Lit he will not present himself at the opening of the womb for sons
• [h]. Or Should I . . . ?
• [i]. Or Should I . . . ?
• [j]. 1 Co 15:55