Hosea 14:1-8

1 Yisra'el, return to the LORD your God; For you have fallen because of your sin.

2 Take words with you, and return to the LORD. Tell him, "Forgive all our sins, And accept that which is good: So we offer like bulls our lips.

3 Ashshur can't save us. We won't ride on horses; Neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, 'Our gods!' For in you the fatherless finds mercy."

4 "I will heal their waywardness. I will love them freely; For my anger is turned away from him.

5 I will be like the dew to Yisra'el. He will blossom like the lily, And send down his roots like Levanon.

6 His branches will spread, And his beauty will be like the olive tree, And his fragrance like Levanon.

7 Men will dwell in his shade. They will revive like the grain, And blossom like the vine. Their fragrance will be like the wine of Levanon.

8 Efrayim, what have I to do any more with idols? I answer, and will take care of him. I am like a green fir tree; From me your fruit is found."

Hosea 14:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 14

This chapter concludes the book, with gracious promises to repenting sinners, to returning backsliders. It begins with an exhortation to Israel to return to the Lord, seeing he was their God, and they had fallen by sin from prosperity into adversity, temporal and spiritual, Ho 14:1; and they are directed what to say to the Lord, upon their return to him, both by way of petition, and of promise and of resolution how to behave for the future, encouraged by his grace and mercy, Ho 14:2,3; and they are told what the Lord, by way of answer, would say to them, Ho 14:4; and what he would be to them; and what blessings of grace he would bestow on them; and in what flourishing and fruitful circumstances they should be, Ho 14:5-8; and the chapter ends with a character of such that attend to and understand those things; and with a recommendation of the ways of the Lord, which are differently regarded by men, Ho 14:9.