Hosea 5:13 kjv
When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.
Hosea 5:13 nkjv
"When Ephraim saw his sickness, And Judah saw his wound, Then Ephraim went to Assyria And sent to King Jareb; Yet he cannot cure you, Nor heal you of your wound.
Hosea 5:13 niv
"When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his sores, then Ephraim turned to Assyria, and sent to the great king for help. But he is not able to cure you, not able to heal your sores.
Hosea 5:13 esv
When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, then Ephraim went to Assyria, and sent to the great king. But he is not able to cure you or heal your wound.
Hosea 5:13 nlt
"When Israel and Judah saw how sick they were,
Israel turned to Assyria ?
to the great king there ?
but he could neither help nor cure them.
Hosea 5 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Hosea 5:13 | When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Israel saw his wound, then Ephraim went to Assyria... | Jer 50:17, Ps 106:13,14 |
| Isa 1:2-3 | Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth...Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. | Isa 1:3 |
| Jer 2:18,36 | And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt...how often hath thine heart perverted... | Jer 2:18, 36 |
| Ps 106:13-15 | They soon forgat his works...But sinned more against him... and tempted him in the wilderness. | Ps 106:13-15 |
| Mic 5:10 | And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee... | Mic 5:10 |
| Jer 46:25,26 | And the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No... | Jer 46:25-26 |
| Isa 30:1-3 | Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me... | Isa 30:1-3 |
| Jer 50:17 | Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away... | Jer 50:17 |
| Ps 78:57-58 | For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy... | Ps 78:57-58 |
| Hos 7:11 | Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria. | Hos 7:11 |
| Hos 8:9-10 | For they are gone up to Assyria, like a wild ass alone by himself... For they are gone up to Assyria. | Hos 8:9-10 |
| Jer 22:20 | Go ye up upon Gilead, and see; and call against Libanus, if perhaps thou mayest hear... | Jer 22:20 |
| Ps 118:8,9 | It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD... | Ps 118:8, 9 |
| Hos 1:6-7 | And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And said unto him, Call her name Lo-ruhamah... | Hos 1:6-7 |
| Hos 4:6 | My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge... | Hos 4:6 |
| Eze 28:12-17 | Thou art the seal of perfection... thou wast perfect in thy ways... but thine heart was lifted up... | Eze 28:12-17 |
| Hos 10:6 | It shall be also carried up unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb... | Hos 10:6 |
| Ps 33:16-17 | There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. | Ps 33:16,17 |
| John 16:33 | These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation... | John 16:33 |
| Romans 8:31 | What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? | Romans 8:31 |
Hosea 5 verses
Hosea 5 13 Meaning
This verse speaks of the people of Israel, particularly the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) during Hosea's ministry, attempting to use worldly alliances and military strength for security, rather than relying on the LORD. Their actions are characterized as seeking aid from powers that will ultimately bring them no real benefit or will even lead to their ruin.
Hosea 5 13 Context
Hosea 5:13 occurs within a larger prophecy against the northern kingdom of Israel. The prophet Hosea is called to minister during a period of political instability and religious corruption. The people of Israel, despite experiencing God's covenant faithfulness, had repeatedly turned away from Him, embracing idolatry and seeking security in political alliances with neighboring empires like Egypt and Assyria. This verse specifically highlights Israel's turning to Assyria for help when faced with their internal and external struggles, depicting this as a foolish and ultimately destructive action that forfeits God's aid. The historical backdrop is the increasing power of Assyria, a major threat to the smaller kingdoms of the Levant.
Hosea 5 13 Word analysis
- וּבִרְאוֹת (u'və-ri'ot): "And when (Ephraim) saw." The vav ("and") indicates continuation. "Ra'ah" (to see) implies not just physical sight but understanding or perception.
- אֶפְרַיִם (Ephrayim): "Ephraim." Refers to the dominant northern tribe of Israel, and by extension, the northern kingdom of Israel itself.
- חִלְיוֹ (ḥilyō): "his sickness." The noun "ḥoleh" (sickness, disease) signifies affliction or distress, both physical and spiritual.
- וְיִשְׂרָאֵל (və-Yisrael): "and Israel." Refers to the entire covenant people, again specifically highlighting the northern kingdom in this context.
- מַכָּתֹו (makkāṯō): "his wound." Derived from "makkah" (wound, stroke, blow), indicating an injury or damage sustained.
- אָז (az): "then." An adverb of time, indicating the sequence of events.
- וַיֵּלֶךְ (vayyelech): "went." The imperfect form of "halak" (to go, to walk).
- אֶפְרַיִם (Ephrayim): "Ephraim." Repeated for emphasis, reinforcing that it is the northern kingdom making this move.
- אַשּׁוּר (Ashur): "Assyria." The mighty empire to the north, often a political and military force that Israel turned to for alliances.
- שַׂר (śar): "prince," "king." Refers to the ruler or monarch of Assyria.
- וְלוּ יִשְׁלַח (wə-lu yishlach): "and send," or potentially "and he shall send." This phrase is a bit complex in its conjunction with the prior clauses. Some understand it as an expression of the hope or attempt to send to the king of Assyria for aid, while others interpret it more as a consequence, implying "so that he might send to the king..." or even "to send for himself..."
Hosea 5 13 Bonus section
The phrase "king Jareb" found in a parallel passage (Hosea 10:6) associated with this action, is interpreted by many scholars not as a proper name but as a descriptive title that highlights the futility of Israel's plea. The name "Jareb" may come from a root meaning "to contend" or "to make great," suggesting a king who would fight or boast, but who could not truly deliver. This further underscores that their alliance was with a power that could not, in the end, provide the security they sought. Their hope in Assyria was misplaced and would lead to their downfall, as they traded covenant faithfulness for political expediency, a constant struggle throughout Israel's history.
Hosea 5 13 Commentary
Hosea 5:13 vividly portrays the spiritual and political folly of Israel. Faced with their "sickness" and "wound"—likely referring to their internal divisions, moral decay, and the impending threat of foreign powers—their immediate recourse was not to the LORD their Healer, but to the political might of Assyria. This action demonstrates a profound lack of faith and a misdirection of their hopes. Seeking help from "king Jareb" (a name suggesting "the great king" or "king who contends") was an attempt to secure earthly power through human means, neglecting divine intervention and covenant promises. It highlights the recurring theme in Hosea where Israel's outward attempts at security paradoxically lead them deeper into bondage, ultimately provoking God's judgment. This turning to foreign aid, especially when the LORD himself was their strength and deliverer, represented a betrayal of their unique relationship with God and a reliance on human arm instead of the divine.