Hosea 13 7

Hosea 13:7 kjv

Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:

Hosea 13:7 nkjv

"So I will be to them like a lion; Like a leopard by the road I will lurk;

Hosea 13:7 niv

So I will be like a lion to them, like a leopard I will lurk by the path.

Hosea 13:7 esv

So I am to them like a lion; like a leopard I will lurk beside the way.

Hosea 13:7 nlt

So now I will attack you like a lion,
like a leopard that lurks along the road.

Hosea 13 verses

Hosea 13 7 Meaning

This verse depicts God's judgment against Ephraim (representing the northern kingdom of Israel). God, likened to a lion and a wild animal, will attack and tear them apart, leaving them vulnerable. His powerful presence will cause terror, and no one will be able to rescue them from His wrath.

Hosea 13 7 Context

Hosea 13 prophesies the complete destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel due to their persistent idolatry and rebellion against God. This chapter marks a turning point, moving from the metaphorical descriptions of God's relationship with Israel to the stark reality of impending judgment. The people of Ephraim have become so deeply entrenched in their sin that God is compared to a predator who will inevitably claim them. The verse specifically highlights the futility of seeking any earthly aid or salvation, as God's judgment will be absolute. The historical context is the pre-Assyrian period of the Northern Kingdom, a time when idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal and the golden calves, was rampant.

Hosea 13 7 Word Analysis

• אני (ani): "I" (referring to God). Emphasizes the direct personal involvement of the LORD in this judgment.
• אֶֽהְיֶה (ehyeh): "will be" or "shall become." A future tense verb from the root היה (hayah), indicating a determined action.
• לָהֶם (lahem): "to them" or "for them." Refers back to Ephraim/Israel, showing the target of this impending action.
• וְנַֽחְתִּי (wenachti): "and I will descend" or "and I will crouch." From the root נָחַת (nachat), suggesting a stalking or lying in wait.
• כַּאֲרָיוֹת (ka'arayot): "like lions" (plural). A simile comparing God's powerful, predatory action to that of a lion. The plural form intensifies the image of pervasive threat.
• וּכְסוּס (uchsus): "and like a leopard" or "and like a wild animal" (the precise translation of סוּס (sus) here is debated, but "wild animal" or "flesh-eating animal" fits the context). Conveys fierceness and unstoppable power.
• יְצִפֶּנִּי (yetsippenni): "it will watch for me" or "it will keep me." (Interpreted here in a more predatory sense, aligning with the following verbs.)
• דַּרְכֵי (darkei): "my ways" or "my path." Can refer to God's actions or manner of proceeding.
• הַחוֹתֵר (hachoter): "the one who digs" or "the one who breaks through." From the root חָתַר (chatar). Suggests an aggressive penetration or undermining.
• וְאַצִּילֵם (we'atsilem): "and I will deliver them" or "and I will snatch them away." From the rootָּצַל (atsal), signifying a rescue or plundering. In this context, it’s about snatching them into judgment.
• וְאֹכֶל (we'okhel): "and I will eat" or "and I will devour." Simple, direct, and powerful verb emphasizing destruction.
• כָּאָרִ֞י (ka'ari): "like a lion." Singular form of the simile, reinforcing the initial comparison and signifying the intensity of the consumption.
• וְיִטּרְפֵ֥ם (wiyetroƒem): "and it will tear them." From the root טָרַף (taraf), a violent tearing apart, emphasizing the brutality of the destruction.
• חַיַּ֣ת (chayath): "beast of the field" or "wild animal."
• שָׂדַ֗י (sadai): "of the field."

Groupings:

• "I will be a lion to them; I will lie in wait like a leopard." This powerful opening sets the tone of predatory judgment. God is not just a judge but an active, fierce hunter.
• "The one who digs through will tear them" and "The wild animal of the field will snatch them away." These phrases further intensify the image of inescapable destruction. The actions are aggressive and absolute.

Hosea 13 7 Bonus Section

The imagery of God as a lion is multifaceted in scripture. While here it signifies judgment, in other contexts, the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Revelation 5:5) refers to Jesus Christ in His conquering and victorious power. This contrast highlights that God's fierce nature is ultimately for the upholding of righteousness. The destruction prophesied here was a severe consequence for Israel's spiritual adultery and idolatry, a pattern of breaking covenant that had far-reaching implications for their national existence. Hosea's message often combines pronouncements of judgment with underlying themes of God's love and desire for repentance, even when judgment seems inevitable.

Hosea 13 7 Commentary

God declares His intent to be like a predator to Ephraim. The comparison to a lion and a leopard vividly portrays His powerful, stealthy, and destructive judgment against His unfaithful people. His actions are likened to digging through defenses and tearing apart prey, signifying a complete and utter destruction from which there will be no escape. This verse underscores God's justice; His fierce nature is revealed in response to Ephraim's rebellion. No human intervention or appeal will be effective against His overwhelming might. The imagery serves as a stark warning and a declaration of divine sovereignty over the fate of nations.