Hosea 8 10

Hosea 8:10 kjv

Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.

Hosea 8:10 nkjv

Yes, though they have hired among the nations, Now I will gather them; And they shall sorrow a little, Because of the burden of the king of princes.

Hosea 8:10 niv

Although they have sold themselves among the nations, I will now gather them together. They will begin to waste away under the oppression of the mighty king.

Hosea 8:10 esv

Though they hire allies among the nations, I will soon gather them up. And the king and princes shall soon writhe because of the tribute.

Hosea 8:10 nlt

But though they have sold themselves to many allies,
I will now gather them together for judgment.
Then they will writhe
under the burden of the great king.

Hosea 8 verses

Hosea 8 10 Meaning

This verse describes Israel's reckless abandonment of God for foreign gods and their consequent downfall. God declares that their rulers have rejected Him. The verse highlights a covenantal violation leading to a divinely ordained punishment, portraying Israel as self-serving and ultimately leading to their own destruction.

Hosea 8 10 Context

Hosea is prophesying during a time when the Northern Kingdom of Israel has turned away from the LORD, their covenant God. They are engaging in idolatry, relying on political alliances rather than divine protection, and exhibiting moral decay. The nation has a history of unfaithfulness, breaking the covenant established at Mount Sinai. Chapter 8 begins a series of pronouncements of judgment against Israel for their persistent sins. Verse 10 specifically addresses the corrupted leadership that has actively pursued these false loyalties.

Hosea 8 10 Word Analysis

• כִּי (ki): "For," "because." Introduces the reason for the judgment or statement.
• שָׁכַר (shakar): "to hire." Implies payment or engagement for service, here referencing paid companionship or illicit alliances, suggesting a spiritual harlotry with foreign nations and their gods. This term carries a connotation of purchased affection, emphasizing Israel's willingness to seek comfort and security from sources other than God.
• קֹשֶׁר (qesher): "alliance," "conspiracy." Refers to political and spiritual confederacies, often with pagan nations, which were considered breaches of covenant with God. It suggests a deliberate, organized turning away from God.
• אַהֲבֹת (ahavot): Plural of "love." In this context, it's used to describe the "lovers" Israel seeks – the pagan deities and nations they turn to for help. This highlights their spiritual adultery. The pursuit of these "lovers" is a violation of their marital covenant with God.
• עָתִּיד (attid): "to be present," "to be appointed." Implies future inevitability or coming into existence. It points to a future certainty of consequences.
• שֶׁקֶל (sheqel): "a weighing," "a shekel." Represents payment or tribute. It signifies the recompense or penalty that will be administered.
• אָפִיק (afiq): "to cause to flow," "to yield," "to give." Used here as "I will give" or "I will assign." God is the one meting out the consequences.
• בִּלְעֲדֵי (bil'adei): "besides," "except." Emphasizes that apart from these unlawful alliances, Israel has no other source of security or affirmation.
• מוֹלָכוּ (molachu): Niphal passive form of "malak" (to reign, to rule). "they will be taken captive," or "they will be ruled/controlled." This suggests subjugation by foreign powers as a direct result of their choices.

Words/Group of Words Analysis:

• "Hired lovers" (שָכַרְתְּ אַהֲבֹת) powerfully describes Israel's pursuit of pagan deities and foreign alliances for security and favor, a stark metaphor for spiritual infidelity against God, their covenant partner. This is not mere affection but a purchased, conditional relationship, indicating a profound depth of sin.
• "They have sold themselves for nothing" (referencing previous context or implications from similar passages) underscores the futility of their pursuit of pagan deities and foreign alliances. They traded their spiritual fidelity for nothing of lasting value.
• "I will give a reward" (אָפִיק שֶׁקֶל) indicates divine retribution. God is not passively observing but will actively administer justice, bringing consequences for their sin. The "shekel" is the payment due for their unfaithfulness.
• "They will be taken captive" (מוֹלָכוּ) signifies the inevitable result of their misplaced loyalties—domination and subjugation by the very nations and gods they sought to appease or partner with.

Hosea 8 10 Bonus Section

The concept of "hired lovers" directly links to Hosea's personal experience (Hosea 1-3), where he was commanded to marry an unfaithful woman, Gomer. This personal drama serves as a living metaphor for God's relationship with Israel. Israel, like Gomer, had been unfaithful, exchanging the covenant love of God for the allure of other gods and foreign alliances. The verse's "reward" is not a blessing but a punitive consequence, echoing the principles of covenant theology where blessings followed obedience and curses followed disobedience (Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28). The historical context of Israel's alliances with Egypt and Assyria makes this verse particularly poignant, as these were the very nations they sought protection from, only to be later subjugated by them.

Hosea 8 10 Commentary

This verse is a pronouncement of God's judgment upon Israel, specifically highlighting the corrupt leadership and the nation's embrace of idolatry and ungodly alliances. They have sought fulfillment and security not from their covenant Lord but through illicit spiritual and political relationships, like "hired lovers," with pagan nations and their gods. This forsaking of God, described metaphorically as adultery, demonstrates a wilful abandonment of the covenant relationship. As a direct consequence of these sinful actions, God declares that He will mete out a fitting punishment—a "reward" for their infidelity. This recompense will manifest as their being subdued and ruled over by the very foreign powers they relied upon, illustrating the devastating outcome of turning away from the One True God. The pursuit of these false "lovers" is presented as a worthless endeavor, for they offer no genuine or lasting security.