Hosea 9:11

11 "Ephraim's glory will fly away like a bird. There will be no more pregnancies, births, or babies.

Hosea 9:11 Meaning and Commentary

Hosea 9:11

[As for] Ephraim, their glory shall flee away like a bird,
&c.] That is, suddenly, swiftly, and irrecoverably, and never return more; which some understand of God their glory, and of his departure from them, as in ( Hosea 9:12 ) ; others of their wealth and riches, and whatever was glorious and valuable among them, which should fly away from them in a moment, when taken and carried captive; rather their numerous posterity, in which they were very fruitful, according to their name, and in which they gloried, as children are the glory of their parents, ( Proverbs 17:6 ) ; which sense agrees with what follows, and which explains the manner of their fleeing away, and the periods of it: from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception;
that is, some of them, as soon as they were born; others while in the womb, being abortives; or, however, when they should, or as soon as they did, come from thence; and others, as soon as conceived, never come to any thing; or not conceived at all, as Kimchi interprets it, the women being barren.

Hosea 9:11 In-Context

9 People have deeply corrupted themselves as they once did at Gibeah. God will remember their wickedness and punish them because of their sins.

10 [The LORD said,] "When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert. When I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the first figs of the harvest. But they went to Baal Peor and worshiped shameful idols. They became as disgusting as the things they worshiped.

11 "Ephraim's glory will fly away like a bird. There will be no more pregnancies, births, or babies.

12 Even if they bring up children, I will take those children away before they grow up. Yes, how horrible it will be for them when I leave them.

13 I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place. But the people of Ephraim will bring out their children to be killed."