Hosea 14:6 kjv
His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
Hosea 14:6 nkjv
His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon.
Hosea 14:6 niv
his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
Hosea 14:6 esv
his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon.
Hosea 14:6 nlt
Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees,
as fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon.
Hosea 14 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Hosea 14:5 | "I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily..." | Foreshadows the dew of divine blessing |
| Isaiah 55:10-13 | "For as the rain comes down from heaven... so shall my word be..." | Parallels God's word bringing fruitful results |
| Psalm 92:12 | "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like..." | Compares the flourishing of the righteous |
| Jeremiah 17:8 | "He shall be like a tree planted by the waters..." | Image of rootedness and continuous provision |
| Ezekiel 31:3-7 | Describes the majestic cedar of Lebanon as a model of beauty and strength | Symbolism of grandeur and divine favor |
| Matthew 6:28-30 | Jesus speaks of the lilies of the field, God's care and provision | Connects nature's beauty to God's provision |
| Romans 11:17-24 | Olive tree imagery representing grafting and restoration | Theme of restoration for the scattered people |
| 2 Corinthians 9:10 | "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply..." | God's abundant provision for those who sow |
| Philippians 1:11 | "...filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus..." | Fruitfulness as a result of spiritual life |
| Galatians 5:22-23 | The fruit of the Spirit listed, evidencing a changed life | Internal flourishing that outwardly manifests |
| Song of Solomon 4:11 | "Your lips drip with honey, my bride... honey and milk are under your tongue" | Imagery of sweetness and richness |
| Song of Solomon 5:1 | "I have come into my garden, my bride, my bridegroom. I have gathered..." | God delighting in His restored people |
| Revelation 7:16-17 | "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the lamb shall..." | Ultimate state of divine satisfaction |
| Revelation 22:1-2 | "Then he showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal..." | Heavenly city's fruitfulness and sustenance |
| Psalm 104:16 | "The trees of the LORD are satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted." | Cedars of Lebanon as God's creation |
| Isaiah 41:19 | "I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle..." | God's act of planting beauty in desolation |
| Jeremiah 33:9 | "It shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honor before all the..." | Jerusalem and Judah bringing God glory |
| Amos 9:13 | "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when the plowman..." | Messianic promise of abundant harvests |
| John 15:1-5 | Jesus as the true vine, believers as branches bearing fruit | Dependence on Christ for fruitfulness |
| 1 Corinthians 3:6 | "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." | God as the ultimate source of all growth |
Hosea 14 verses
Hosea 14 6 Meaning
This verse promises lush growth, beauty, and vitality like Lebanon, signifying restoration and a return to favor from God after judgment. It signifies flourishing, peace, and a new era of prosperity for Israel.
Hosea 14 6 Context
Hosea 14 is a chapter of profound restoration following a severe indictment against Israel's idolatry and unfaithfulness. After detailing God's judgment (chapters 1-13), this final chapter offers a message of hope and redemption. The people are called to repent (v. 1-2) and acknowledge their sin. God then promises His unfailing love, healing their backsliding, and promising to restore them completely (v. 4). This verse (v. 6) vividly describes the flourishing that will result from God's returned favor, drawing on the natural beauty and grandeur of the Lebanon region, a stark contrast to their former desolation. The immediate context is God's assurance of His own active role in this restoration.
Hosea 14 6 Word analysis
- אֲנִי (Ani): "I" - emphasizes God's personal involvement and assurance.
- אֶֽהְיֶה (Ehyeh): "will be" - future tense, signifying a definite promise and ongoing state.
- כַּֽטַּל (Ka-Tal): "like the dew" - signifies gentle, pervasive, and life-giving moisture from heaven. Dew was essential for early morning growth, especially in dry climates.
- לְיִשְׂרָאֵל (Lə-Yisra'el): "to Israel" - the object of God's affection and blessing.
- וְיִפְרַח (Wə-Yiphraḥ): "and he shall blossom/flourish" - active verb indicating new life, growth, and abundant vitality.
- כַּשּׁוֹשַׁנָּה (Ka-Shoshannah): "like the lily" - symbol of purity, beauty, and delicate loveliness. Lilies are often depicted with pure white petals.
- וְיַפִּיץ (Wə-Yaffits): "and he shall spread/cast forth" - suggests dissemination and widespread influence, not just internal growth.
- כִּלְבָנוֹן (Kil-Vanon): "like Lebanon" - evokes images of the majestic cedar trees of Lebanon, known for their strength, height, and beauty, symbolizing a grand and stable prosperity.
Words group analysis:
- "I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily": This group highlights the gentle, life-sustaining nature of God's presence (dew) leading to beauty and purity (lily) in His people.
- "and he shall spread like Lebanon": This phrase shifts to a grander image, suggesting that God's restored people will not only be beautiful and vital but also strong, far-reaching, and impressive in their well-being, mirroring the majestic cedars of Lebanon.
Hosea 14 6 Bonus section
The comparison to Lebanon, specifically the cedars, carries significant weight. Ancient writers frequently extolled the cedar of Lebanon for its immense size, durability, fragrant wood, and resistance to decay. This imagery speaks to a profound, enduring restoration of national strength and well-being, far exceeding mere survival. It implies that Israel, once laid low by sin and judgment, will rise again to a position of prominence and stability, rooted in God's unfailing covenant faithfulness. This stands in contrast to the transient, earthly idols that offered no such lasting security or beauty. The restoration here is total, touching individual spiritual life, community well-being, and national prosperity, all stemming from God’s initiative of grace.
Hosea 14 6 Commentary
This verse encapsulates God's promise to restore His people, not just to a minimal existence but to a state of vibrant, flourishing life. The imagery is carefully chosen to convey different aspects of this restoration: the gentle, pervasive life-giving power of His presence likened to dew; the beauty, purity, and renewed grace akin to a blossoming lily; and the lasting strength, majesty, and widespread influence symbolized by the renowned cedars of Lebanon. It's a picture of a community deeply blessed, inwardly renewed, and outwardly impressive, reflecting God's grace in every dimension.
- Practical application: God's power to renew and beautify us, even after spiritual dryness or decay, when we turn back to Him.
- Experiencing His presence: Like dew, God's grace can quietly permeate our lives, bringing fresh growth and beauty.
- Bearing fruit: True spiritual health manifests in flourishing and spreading forth God's goodness, not just remaining self-contained.