Hosea 14 8

Hosea 14:8 kjv

Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.

Hosea 14:8 nkjv

"Ephraim shall say, 'What have I to do anymore with idols?' I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me."

Hosea 14:8 niv

Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a flourishing juniper; your fruitfulness comes from me."

Hosea 14:8 esv

O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit.

Hosea 14:8 nlt

"O Israel, stay away from idols!
I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you.
I am like a tree that is always green;
all your fruit comes from me."

Hosea 14 verses

Hosea 14 8 Meaning

This verse declares that "Ephraim shall say, What have I to do with idols? I have answered him and will keep him as a green fir tree. From me is your fruit found." It signifies a complete renunciation of idolatry by the people, marked by God's affirmation and assurance of His continuous blessing and sustenance. It highlights God's faithful response to repentance and His enduring provision for His people.

Hosea 14 8 Context

This verse is the culmination of the prophetic message in Hosea. Following a history of Israel's unfaithfulness, idolatry, and repeated judgment, chapter 14 presents a powerful call to repentance and a glorious promise of restoration. The people of Israel, having suffered the consequences of their sin, are urged to return to the LORD with words of confession and renewed commitment. Verse 8 directly follows this call, depicting the transformed heart of the repentant people and God's gracious response. Historically, this was addressed to the northern kingdom of Israel, which had a strong tendency towards syncretism and idolatry, often influenced by Canaanite fertility cults.

Hosea 14 8 Word analysis

• Ephraim (Hebrew: אֶפְרַיִם, Ephrayim): The name of the most prominent tribe of the northern kingdom of Israel, often used to represent the entire kingdom itself, symbolizing Israel as a whole.

• shall say (Hebrew: יֹאמַר, yo'mar): Future tense verb, indicating a future declaration or confession.

• What have I to do with idols? (Hebrew: מָה־לִּי־עוֹד לָֽעֲצַבִּים, mah-li-'od la-'atsabbiym): A strong rhetorical question expressing complete rejection and separation.

  • What (מָה, mah): An interrogative pronoun.
  • to me (לִּי, li): Emphasizes personal disassociation.
  • further/any more (עוֹד, 'od): Signifies the cessation of past practices.
  • with idols (לָֽעֲצַבִּים, la-'atsabbiym): Refers to images, idols, or false gods that were objects of worship, from the root 'atsab (to carve, to fashion, to grieve), implying created objects of worship that cause grief to God.

• I (Hebrew: אֲנִי, ani): Emphatic pronoun, God speaking.

• have answered him (Hebrew: עָנִיתִי לְרָצוֹן, `aniti ləratsown): "I have answered favourably/acceptingly." This phrase signifies God's gracious acceptance of their repentant cry.

  • answered (עָנִיתִי, 'aniti): First-person singular perfect tense of 'anah (to answer, respond).
  • for satisfaction/favour/acceptably (לְרָצוֹן, ləratsown): An adverbial accusative, indicating the manner of His answering, i.e., with favour and acceptance.

• and will keep him (Hebrew: וְאֶשְׁמְרֶנּוּ, wə'ešmərennu): "And I will watch over/preserve him." God's commitment to protect and sustain.

  • and (וְ, wə): Conjunction.
  • will keep (אֶשְׁמְרֶנּוּ, 'ešmərennu): First-person singular imperfect of shamar (to guard, keep, preserve), with the direct object pronoun "him" attached.

• as a green fir tree (Hebrew: כִּבְרוֹשׁ, kibrōš): A fir or cypress tree, symbolizing vitality, beauty, and steadfastness. This tree was known for its evergreen nature and tall, straight growth.

• From me (Hebrew: מִמֶּנִּי, mimməni): Emphasizes God as the sole source.

• is your fruit found (Hebrew: נִמְצָא־פֶרִי בָךְ, nimtsa'-pərî bāḵ): "Fruit is found in you." It signifies that any true productivity, spiritual fruitfulness, or sustenance originates from God's provision.

  • is found (נִמְצָא, nimtsa'): Niphal passive form of matsah (to find), suggesting that the fruit is discovered in the person due to God's work.
  • fruit (פֶרִי, pərî): Can refer to literal produce, but here primarily denotes spiritual fruit, offspring, or beneficial results of obedience and God's blessing.
  • in you (בָךְ, bāḵ): Feminine singular pronoun, referring to Ephraim/Israel.

• Group Analysis: The phrase "What have I to do with idols?" is a complete repudiation of a past sinful relationship, analogous to Paul's instruction in 2 Corinthians 6:17, "come out from among them, and be separate." The statement "I have answered him and will keep him as a green fir tree" highlights the covenantal faithfulness of God to those who turn to Him, offering both assurance of hearing and promise of sustained care, much like God assures His presence and care for those who trust Him in Psalm 91. "From me is your fruit found" underscores divine dependence; true spiritual vitality and bearing fruit are entirely God-initiated and sustained, echoing Jesus' words in John 15:5, "Apart from me you can do nothing."

Hosea 14 8 Bonus section

This verse serves as a capstone to God's promises of restoration in Hosea, demonstrating the completeness of His mercy. The prophetic word emphasizes a theological anthropology where true existence and flourishing are wholly dependent on divine relationship and provision. The chosen imagery of the "green fir tree" contrasts sharply with the dry, dead idols they are renouncing, symbolizing life over lifelessness and God's enduring faithfulness over ephemeral human constructs. The transition from "from me is your fruit found" reflects a theology that places God at the center of all productivity, whether physical or spiritual, mirroring Christ's discourse on abiding in Him for fruitfulness (John 15). This understanding moves beyond a mere behavioural change to a fundamental reorientation of life towards God as the source of all.

Hosea 14 8 Commentary

Hosea 14:8 beautifully encapsulates the transformation that occurs when individuals and nations turn genuinely from sin to God. The people, recognizing the utter futility and destructiveness of their idolatrous practices, express a decisive break. God's response is immediate and affirmative: He has not only heard their confession but will actively preserve them. The imagery of the "green fir tree" powerfully illustrates this enduring vitality and God's faithful provision. Like an evergreen, their spiritual life will not wither but remain fresh and strong because their sustenance comes directly from God. This verse is a profound reminder that true fruitfulness, spiritual growth, and lasting security are not self-generated but are blessings that flow solely from a relationship with the living God.

• Practical Application:
  • Confess idols (hidden sins, misplaced trust, worldly attachments) and turn from them.
  • Trust that God hears and answers sincere repentance.
  • Rest assured in God's continuous care and preservation, like an evergreen, even through challenging seasons.
  • Acknowledge that all good spiritual "fruit" (character, actions, influence) originates from God's power working in you.