Hosea 14:5 kjv
I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
Hosea 14:5 nkjv
I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
Hosea 14:5 niv
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots;
Hosea 14:5 esv
I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;
Hosea 14:5 nlt
I will be to Israel
like a refreshing dew from heaven.
Israel will blossom like the lily;
it will send roots deep into the soil
like the cedars in Lebanon.
Hosea 14 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Hos 14:5 | "I will be like the dew to Israel;" | Hos 14:5 (Core promise of God's refreshing presence) |
| Psa 72:16 | "May there be an abundance of grain in the land, towering over the mountains;" | Psa 72:16 (Image of abundant provision and flourishing) |
| Isa 44:3 | "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground;" | Isa 44:3 (God's promise of spiritual renewal) |
| Psa 92:12 | "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;" | Psa 92:12 (Similar imagery of flourishing and stability) |
| Song 2:2 | "Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens." | Song 2:2 (Lily as a symbol of beauty and purity) |
| Isa 11:1 | "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;" | Isa 11:1 (Messianic prophecy of new life from a fallen line) |
| Gal 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." | Gal 3:28 (Unity and spiritual growth without distinction) |
| John 15:5 | "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." | John 15:5 (Life and fruitfulness stemming from connection to God) |
| Hos 2:15 | "There I will give her vineyards, and the Valley of Achor as an opening for hope." | Hos 2:15 (Valley of Achor as a place of restored hope) |
| Joel 2:24 | "The threshing floors will be filled with grain, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil." | Joel 2:24 (Prophecy of abundant restoration) |
| Jer 33:22 | "I will multiply them and they will not be few; I will bring honor to them and they will be respected." | Jer 33:22 (God's promise of increased numbers and honor) |
| Psa 80:8 | "You brought a vine out of Egypt;" | Psa 80:8 (Israel as God's vine, from deliverance) |
| Psa 147:7 | "Sing to the LORD with grateful praise; sing to our God on the harp." | Psa 147:7 (Praise associated with God's restoration) |
| Song 4:11 | "Your lips drip nectar, my bride; honey and milk are under your tongue;" | Song 4:11 (Imagery of sweetness and nourishment) |
| Song 5:1 | "I have come into my garden, my bride, my sister;" | Song 5:1 (God entering His renewed people) |
| Hos 6:2 | "After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence." | Hos 6:2 (Restoration and life from God) |
| Eph 2:10 | "For we are God's handiwork, created anew in Christ Jesus, to do good works..." | Eph 2:10 (Spiritual re-creation and purpose) |
| Rev 21:2 | "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God..." | Rev 21:2 (Ultimate restoration and new dwelling place) |
| Mal 4:2 | "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays..." | Mal 4:2 (God's favor bringing healing and prosperity) |
| Zech 8:12 | "The seed will grow, the vines will yield their fruit, the ground will produce dew, and I will give all these things to the remnant of my people for them to possess." | Zech 8:12 (Promise of blessing for the remnant) |
Hosea 14 verses
Hosea 14 5 Meaning
Israel will flourish like a lily, spreading its roots like Lebanon's cedars. Their new growth will shoot up like green shoots. They will be as beautiful as the olive tree and fragrant like the lilies of Lebanon.
Hosea 14 5 Context
Hosea 14 is the concluding chapter of the prophet's message. It follows severe judgments against Israel for its persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness. This chapter offers a powerful message of hope and restoration. It describes God's gracious invitation to repent and return to Him, promising forgiveness and renewed blessings. The verse itself paints a vivid picture of the flourishing that God will bring to a repentant and restored Israel, highlighting their renewed relationship with Him as the source of their vitality and beauty. This is within the historical context of the Assyrian threat and impending exile for the Northern Kingdom, offering a prophetic glimpse of post-exilic restoration.
Hosea 14 5 Word Analysis
- "I" (אֲנִי): The singular, first-person pronoun. Emphasizes God's direct and personal involvement in the act of blessing and restoration. It's God's promise to act on behalf of Israel.
- "will be like" (כַּחֲלִי): Compound word from כַּ (ka - like, as) and אֲגַס (agas - to flow, like dew). Literally "as my dew". Indicates a comparison or simile. Dew in the ancient Near East was a vital source of moisture, especially during dry seasons, crucial for vegetation.
- "the dew" (טַל): (tal) - Means dew. Refers to the moisture that settles on the ground during the night. Its subtle yet life-giving nature symbolizes God's gentle, pervasive, and essential presence and sustenance for Israel. It revitalizes and nourishes without the dramatic force of rain.
- "to Israel" (לְיִשְׂרָאֵל): (l'Yisrael) - For Israel. Indicates the recipient of God's revitalizing action. It's a direct address to His covenant people.
- "he shall blossom like the lily":
- "he shall blossom" (יִפְרַח): (yifrach) - From the root פרא (parach), meaning to bud, bloom, blossom, sprout. This verb signifies a new period of vibrant growth and prosperity following a barren time, paralleling the spiritual revival.
- "like the lily" (כַּשּׁוֹשַׁנָּה): (ka'shoshannah) - Similar to the lily. The lily (shoshannah) was a symbol of beauty, purity, and excellence, often associated with fertility and royalty in the ancient world (Song of Solomon 2:1, 5:13). It speaks to the restored beauty and desirability of Israel in God's eyes.
- "and cast forth roots like Lebanon":
- "and cast forth roots" (וְשָׁרַשׁ): (v'sharash) - And take root. Emphasizes establishing a deep, firm foundation. This signifies security, stability, and the ability to draw sustenance from a deep source, implying a restored connection to God's provisions.
- "like Lebanon" (כַּלְּבָנוֹן): (ka'levanon) - Like Lebanon. Lebanon was famous for its mighty cedar trees, renowned for their strength, majesty, and deep roots that could withstand storms. This comparison highlights the anticipated resilience, grandeur, and deep-seated strength of restored Israel.
- "they shall spread" (יָפִיחַ): (yafia'ch) - To send out shoots, spread out. This verb describes a generative and expansive growth, not just being present but actively extending and multiplying, much like healthy plant life. It implies outreach and flourishing beyond just the immediate existence.
Hosea 14 5 Bonus Section
The verse employs a progression of natural imagery that mirrors the stages of spiritual restoration.
- Revival (Dew): Gentle, essential sustenance, signifies immediate relief and the beginning of life.
- Beauty and Purity (Lily): An outward manifestation of inner health and transformed character.
- Strength and Stability (Roots like Lebanon): Deep-seated resilience, secure attachment to God, the source of life and stability.
- Expansion (Spreading shoots): Growth, fruitfulness, and evidence of God's abundant blessing being shared or extended.
This comprehensive depiction of renewal suggests a restored Israel will be a testament to God's faithfulness, drawing life from Him and exhibiting His character in their midst. The comparison to Lebanon’s cedars, known for their longevity and scent, also hints at enduring legacy and a pleasing aroma of worship and obedience.
Hosea 14 5 Commentary
Hosea 14:5 encapsulates the profound promise of God's restorative grace upon a repentant Israel. The verse moves from the subtle, life-sustaining quality of "dew" to the vibrant beauty of the "lily" and the deep, anchoring strength of the "cedars of Lebanon." These are not mere horticultural descriptions but profound metaphors for spiritual reality. God's presence will be like the dew, quietly but effectively reviving what was parched. Israel, in turn, will be transformed, exhibiting the lily's beauty and purity, and the cedars' stability and deep roots. This signifies a comprehensive renewal: their identity restored, their spiritual life made beautiful, and their connection to God so firm that they can withstand any trial. The imagery underscores that true flourishing comes from God's renewing power and a restored covenant relationship with Him, leading to a life that is both inwardly strong and outwardly attractive. It promises not just survival but a glorious new existence.