Hosea 13 3

Hosea 13:3 kjv

Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

Hosea 13:3 nkjv

Therefore they shall be like the morning cloud And like the early dew that passes away, Like chaff blown off from a threshing floor And like smoke from a chimney.

Hosea 13:3 niv

Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears, like chaff swirling from a threshing floor, like smoke escaping through a window.

Hosea 13:3 esv

Therefore they shall be like the morning mist or like the dew that goes early away, like the chaff that swirls from the threshing floor or like smoke from a window.

Hosea 13:3 nlt

Therefore, they will disappear like the morning mist,
like dew in the morning sun,
like chaff blown by the wind,
like smoke from a chimney.

Hosea 13 verses

Hosea 13 3 Meaning

Those who sacrifice to human leaders, particularly the calves of human making, are like chariot warriors. They will be broken and cast away like chaff blown by the wind. The verse describes the utter futility and destruction that awaits those who trust in man-made idols and leaders instead of the Lord. Their efforts are ultimately empty and will lead to their downfall.

Hosea 13 3 Context

Hosea chapter 13 is a powerful prophecy concerning Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness and the consequences that follow. The prophet highlights Israel's tendency to fall into idolatry, particularly during the time of the divided kingdom. This verse serves as a stark warning against relying on false gods and powerful rulers who lead them astray. It speaks to the ephemeral nature of power and security found outside of the Lord. Israel's history was marked by cycles of repentance and backsliding, with idolatry and alliances with foreign nations being recurring themes of apostasy. The verse is set within a broader context of God's judgment upon a rebellious people, yet also contains a glimmer of hope for future restoration, as seen in the later verses of the chapter.

Hosea 13 3 Word analysis

• וְעַתָּה (weʻatta) - and now: This is a temporal conjunction, emphasizing the present reality of the consequence. It shifts the focus from past actions to the immediate outcome.
• תִּרְשַׁע (tirsha`) - you will deal corruptly, act wickedly: This verb signifies doing wrong, iniquity, and wicked behavior. In this context, it refers to Israel's continued pursuit of idols and reliance on worldly powers. It's a form of spiritual corruption.
• וּלְהַשְׁמִיד (ulehâshmid) - and to destroy: This infinitive indicates purpose or consequence. The wickedness leads to destruction.
• כִּי־לֹא (kiy-lo) - for not: A strong negation, explaining the reason for the coming destruction.
• סָר לְךָ (sar leka) - it has gone from you, has departed from you: Implies a loss of God's presence or favor. The "it" refers to spiritual uprightness or protection.
• כִּבְר־חַיִל (kivrim chayil) - warrior's chariot: "Kivrim" (plural of kiver) is not a common word and its meaning is debated. Some suggest "horsemen" or "chariots." However, many scholars interpret it as related to the Assyrian word "gu" for chariots, or even suggesting an Egyptian context for chariots. This phrase likely refers to their military might and reliance on such power.
• יַחְרֹב (yachrov) - shall be crushed, laid waste: This verb suggests utter destruction and desolation, indicating the fate of those who rely on their military strength or chariots.
• כְּשׂוּעָה (kesuʻah) - like chaff: This simile is key. Chaff is the worthless outer covering of grain, easily scattered by the wind.
• וְכַקַּשׁ (vechakaš) - and like stubble: Similar to chaff, stubble is the dry stalks left after harvest, also easily blown away.
• עָמִי (ʻami) - my people: A poignant term of possession and relationship, contrasting God's people with their current destructive path.
• נַפְצֵי (naphtzēy) - scattering: Refers to being blown about or dispersed, a passive state of helplessness.
• בְּרוּחַ (beruach) - by wind: The agent of their scattering, highlighting the ease with which they will be eliminated.
• צוֹק (tzōq) - pressing, driving: Implies a powerful force behind the wind, suggesting the intensity of God's judgment.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "those who sacrifice to calves" (implied in context) - "warrior's chariot": This links idolatry directly with reliance on military might and earthly power structures, suggesting that the nations they allied with or their own strength became their "gods." The strength derived from these sources is presented as ultimately weak and destructive.
• "it has gone from you" (your strength, your favor, your salvation): This phrase emphasizes abandonment. Whatever Israel thought was its strength or security has been removed because of its sin.
• "like chaff and like stubble scattered by the wind": This powerful imagery conveys utter disposability and lack of substance. Chaff and stubble have no lasting value and are easily dispersed, signifying the complete and inevitable downfall of those who abandon God.
• "my people": The repetition of "my people" underscores the deep disappointment and heartbreak God feels. He claims them as His own, yet they are behaving in ways that lead to their ruin, bringing shame upon His name.

Hosea 13 3 Bonus section

The imagery of being "scattered by the wind" is common in scripture to depict judgment and the complete eradication of the wicked. It highlights the ease with which God can bring down those who oppose Him or reject His ways. This verse also implicitly condemns any form of syncretism or divided loyalty, where one might seek to appease both God and pagan deities or rely on God and political powers simultaneously. The judgment described here is total, leaving no remnant of the corrupted strength or confidence they once possessed. This is not simply a national defeat but a spiritual dispersal indicating a loss of divine presence and favor. The mention of calves might also allude to the golden calves set up in Dan and Bethel, representing a perverted form of worship rooted in apostasy from God's direct command.

Hosea 13 3 Commentary

This verse pronounces a severe judgment on Israel for their continued practice of idolatry and their misplaced trust in human strength and political alliances, symbolized by the "warrior's chariot." They have departed from their true devotion to God. Their reliance on anything other than the LORD has proven to be as fleeting and insubstantial as chaff and stubble blown away by a mighty wind. This means their sacrifices and their military power offered no real salvation. Instead, they become scattered and destroyed, with no hope of retrieval. The phrase "my people" emphasizes God's relational heartbreak as His chosen nation abandons Him for worthless alternatives. The divine power, like a fierce wind, will utterly scatter them, signifying complete defeat and loss. The ultimate message is that true security and salvation are found only in the Lord, and anything or anyone else that is trusted becomes a source of ultimate destruction.