Hosea 1 5

Hosea 1:5 kjv

And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel, in the valley of Jezreel.

Hosea 1:5 nkjv

It shall come to pass in that day That I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel."

Hosea 1:5 niv

In that day I will break Israel's bow in the Valley of Jezreel."

Hosea 1:5 esv

And on that day I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel."

Hosea 1:5 nlt

I will break its military power in the Jezreel Valley."

Hosea 1 verses

Hosea 1 5 Meaning

This verse is a prophetic declaration from the Lord concerning the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It foretells a definitive future moment when God Himself will shatter Israel's military might, symbolized by "the bow," rendering them powerless against their adversaries. This judgment is specifically pronounced to occur in the strategic "Valley of Jezreel," a significant historical and symbolic location tied to both past sins and future divine actions.

Hosea 1 5 Context

Hosea chapter 1 introduces the prophet's marriage to Gomer, symbolizing Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Through their children, specific divine messages are revealed. Verse 5 is the second of three pronouncements made through the naming of Gomer's first son, Jezreel. This particular judgment stems directly from the "bloodguilt of Jezreel" mentioned in Hosea 1:4. This refers to the bloody and opportunistic coup orchestrated by Jehu against the Omride dynasty in the Valley of Jezreel (2 Kings 9-10). Although initially sanctioned by God for eradicating Baal worship, Jehu's actions were driven by ambition, involving excessive and sinful bloodshed beyond divine instruction. Therefore, God declares that Jehu's dynasty will be punished for this violence, and their military power will be shattered in the very place where the sin began and where Israel historically gathered for war. This judgment ultimately refers to the historical Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom, particularly the military defeat that culminated in the downfall of Samaria in 722 BC, removing Israel's national strength and autonomy.

Hosea 1 5 Word analysis

• And it shall come to pass: The Hebrew "Vehayah" (וְהָיָה) denotes the certainty and inevitability of a future event. It signifies a divine decree that will definitively unfold as prophesied, highlighting God's absolute sovereignty over history.
• at that day: The phrase "bay-yom ha-hoo" (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא) is a common prophetic idiom that refers to a specific, significant, often future, point in time when God intervenes decisively in human affairs. While it can refer to an eschatological period, in Hosea's immediate context, it primarily points to the imminent Assyrian invasion and the ultimate collapse of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
• that I will break: The Hebrew verb is "w'shib-bar-tiy" (וְשִׁבַּרְתִּי), from the root "shabar" (שָׁבַר), meaning to break, shatter, tear down, or utterly destroy. The first-person singular pronoun "I" indicates that this is God's direct, personal, and decisive action, not merely a natural military defeat, but a judgment ordained by Him.
• the bow: The Hebrew term "qesheth" (קֶשֶׁת) symbolizes military power, offensive capability, defensive strength, and the general martial might of a nation. To "break the bow" signifies the complete dismantling and nullification of Israel's military and national power, leaving them vulnerable and incapable of resistance.
• of Israel: "Yisrael" (יִשְׂרָאֵל) specifically designates the Northern Kingdom of the ten tribes, often referred to as Ephraim in Hosea. The judgment is directed precisely at this entity, which was characterized by its idolatry and political instability.
• in the valley of Jezreel: The phrase "be-'emeq Yizre'el" (בְּעֵמֶק יִזְרְעֶאל) is laden with historical and symbolic meaning.
  • 'Emeq (עֵמֶק): Valley or plain, a fertile and strategic area in northern Israel known as a major battleground. Its wide expanse made it ideal for large armies.
  • Yizre'el (יִזְרְעֶאל): This name carries a double meaning critical to Hosea's message. Primarily, it means "God scatters" or "God sows." In the context of Hosea 1:5, it refers to the place of the historical "bloodguilt" of Jehu (mentioned in Hos 1:4) and the impending "scattering" or defeat of Israel by the Assyrians. The Lord declares that Israel's military power will be broken in the very place where past covenant disobedience began to yield its bitter fruit, linking judgment to location. However, in Hosea 2:22-23, the name later signifies a positive "sowing" (restoration and re-gathering) by God.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow": This emphatic declaration stresses divine certainty and agency. God is the active subject, ensuring Israel's military might is undone, not by chance, but by His direct will and timing. This points to a strategic intervention by the Sovereign Lord.
  • "the bow of Israel": This phrase underlines the object of divine judgment: Israel's source of worldly security and self-reliance. It reveals God's intent to strip away their national defense, forcing them to confront their ultimate vulnerability when not relying on Him.
  • "in the valley of Jezreel": The specific geographic and symbolic location serves as the locus for the unfolding of divine justice. It links the judgment to the historical sins associated with the area, demonstrating that the place of rebellion will also be the place of divine reckoning and humiliation for their pride in military strength.

Hosea 1 5 Bonus section

• The immediate historical fulfillment of this prophecy occurred with the Assyrian invasion, particularly under Tiglath-Pileser III and later Shalmaneser V/Sargon II, which systematically dismantled Israel's power, ultimately leading to the fall of Samaria in 722 BC.
• The "Day" in "at that day" carries dual prophetic weight. While immediately referring to the Assyrian destruction, it also subtly points towards the broader biblical concept of "the Day of the Lord," which signifies ultimate divine reckoning for sin and rebellion.
• The deliberate connection between the bloodshed in Jezreel (Hos 1:4) and the military defeat in Jezreel (Hos 1:5) illustrates the principle of sowing and reaping; where unrighteousness was sown, destruction will be reaped.
• The paradox of "Jezreel" is crucial: it moves from meaning "God scatters" (judgment) to "God sows" (restoration) later in Hosea (2:22-23). This verse focuses on the scattering aspect, setting the stage for the hope of future sowing and redemption.

Hosea 1 5 Commentary

Hosea 1:5 serves as a profound pronouncement of divine judgment on the Northern Kingdom of Israel. By declaring that He will "break the bow of Israel," the Lord underscores His absolute sovereignty over nations and their military strengths. This signifies a complete and devastating disarmament, rendering Israel utterly helpless before its enemies, namely the Assyrian empire. The specific mention of the "Valley of Jezreel" is highly significant; it was a strategically vital plain, often a battleground, and notably, the location of Jehu's bloody coup (referenced in the preceding verse). God's choice of this location for the "breaking of the bow" symbolically links the historical acts of sinful bloodshed and reliance on human power with their consequent divine punishment. The judgment highlights that Israel's trust in their own might and political alliances, rather than in their covenant-keeping God, would inevitably lead to their downfall in the very place where their violent history began. It reminds us that ultimate security and strength reside in the Lord, not in human weaponry or strategy. When people or nations stray from God and rely on worldly foundations, God, in His justice, often allows those foundations to crumble.