Hosea 8:8 kjv
Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.
Hosea 8:8 nkjv
Israel is swallowed up; Now they are among the Gentiles Like a vessel in which is no pleasure.
Hosea 8:8 niv
Israel is swallowed up; now she is among the nations like something no one wants.
Hosea 8:8 esv
Israel is swallowed up; already they are among the nations as a useless vessel.
Hosea 8:8 nlt
The people of Israel have been swallowed up;
they lie among the nations like an old discarded pot.
Hosea 8 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Hos 8:7 | For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no eared: the fallen ear shall yield no grain: if it should yield, the strangers shall swallow it up. | Hos 10:13 |
| Jer 5:6 | Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and the wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out of them shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased. | Jer 5:6, Hos 5:14, Jer 2:30 |
| Gal 6:7 | Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. | Gal 6:7, Prov 11:18, Jer 17:10 |
| Ps 106:6 | We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. | Ps 106:6, Dan 9:5 |
| 1 Cor 10:11 | Now these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. | 1 Cor 10:11, Rom 15:4 |
| Rom 1:21 | Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. | Rom 1:21, Ps 106:13 |
| Jer 22:21 | I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice. | Jer 22:21, Jer 3:10 |
| Prov 1:29-30 | For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. | Prov 1:29-30, Prov 8:36 |
| Isa 1:19-20 | If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall eat the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. | Isa 1:19-20, Deut 28:15 |
| Hos 4:1 | Hear ye the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. | Hos 4:1, Hos 6:6 |
| Hos 7:1 | When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim and the 4 This verse states that the inhabitants of the land, likely referring to Israel or its leaders, are foolishly trusting in chariots and horses for defense, rather than in the Lord their God. The phrase "Ephraim shall, as a silly dove, without a heart" points to a lack of wisdom, discernment, and spiritual understanding. The word for "heart" (lev) in Hebrew encompasses intellect, will, and emotion, suggesting a comprehensive absence of godly orientation. |
Literary Analysis
- "Ephraim": This refers to the northern kingdom of Israel, often used synonymously with the entire nation in prophetic contexts, especially when highlighting their unfaithfulness.
- "silly dove": The comparison to a dove is interesting. Doves can symbolize innocence and gentleness, but also lack of wisdom, easily frightened, and easily entrapped (as seen in other biblical contexts). Here, it emphasizes a passive, unthinking state, making them vulnerable to predators.
- "without a heart": This signifies more than just a lack of emotion. It implies a void of understanding, intelligence, and wise counsel. They are acting without godly discernment or good judgment.
- "asking for help": The Hebrew word used here (shal) can mean "to ask" but also "to consult" or "to seek." They are not merely requesting assistance; they are seeking security from external powers.
- "to the Assyrians": This clearly identifies their misplaced trust. Assyria was a powerful empire in the region during Hosea's time, known for its military might.
- "to Egypt": This signifies another strategic alliance or reliance on foreign powers, a recurring theme in Israel's history of disobedience and seeking security in human strength instead of divine protection. This reflects a pattern of seeking help from perceived earthly powers rather than from God.
Theological and Historical Context
During Hosea's ministry, Israel was politically unstable and threatened by powerful empires like Assyria and Egypt. Instead of repenting and relying on God's covenant faithfulness, the nation frequently sought alliances with these foreign powers for protection and advantage. This verse critiques such political maneuvering and idolatrous trust in human systems, which was a direct violation of the covenant God made with Israel, where He promised to protect them if they remained faithful (Deuteronomy 17:16). This action demonstrated a fundamental lack of faith and reliance on the "arm of flesh" rather than the "arm of the Lord." They were "making yourselves children" in the sense of being foolish, easily led astray, and acting immaturely in their reliance on worldly powers rather than the true Father. This verse is a clear indictment against pragmatic political decisions that bypassed divine guidance and trust. The prophet Isaiah also frequently condemned similar political alliances (Isaiah 30:1-7; 31:1-3).
Hosea 8 verses
Hosea 8 8 Meaning
Israel has been rejected because they have carelessly valued themselves as superior and chosen, rather than as dependent recipients of God's grace. This self-reliance and pride have led to their spiritual downfall and imminent judgment. They have sown the wind, reaping the whirlwind of destruction.
Hosea 8 8 Word Analysis
- Ephraim (phrase): Refers to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, symbolizing the whole nation due to its prominence.
- shall (verb): Indicates a future certainty of the action described.
- as (preposition): Introduces a comparison.
- a (article): Indefinite article.
- silly (adjective): Describes something foolish, simple, lacking sense.
- dove (noun): A bird known for its perceived gentleness, but here implies lack of intelligence and proneness to error. The Hebrew word Yonah specifically denotes a dove.
- without (preposition): Denotes absence or lack of.
- a (article): Indefinite article.
- heart (noun): Hebrew lev. Signifies mind, understanding, will, courage, and disposition, indicating a total lack of good judgment and spiritual wisdom.
- they (pronoun): Refers back to Ephraim/Israel.
- asking (verb): The Hebrew root shal implies seeking counsel or making requests.
- for (preposition): Indicates purpose or direction.
- help (noun): The Hebrew tsalah relates to aid or salvation, implying reliance on external rescue.
- to (preposition): Indicates direction or destination.
- the (article): Definite article.
- Assyrians (noun): Refers to the powerful empire to the north, a common object of Israel's misguided trust.
- and (conjunction): Connects the two foreign powers.
- to (preposition): Indicates direction or destination.
- Egypt (noun): Refers to the powerful kingdom to the south, another frequent reliance of Israel.
Word Group Analysis
- "Ephraim shall, as a silly dove, without a heart": This is a potent simile and metaphor combination highlighting Israel's pathetic and unintelligent state. The "silly dove" points to their foolish vulnerability, while "without a heart" denotes their spiritual and mental vacuity, making them incapable of wise decisions or true dependence on God. They are easily trapped by foreign powers due to their lack of spiritual discernment.
- "asking for help to the Assyrians and to Egypt": This phrase encapsulates Israel's political apostasy and idolatry. Instead of seeking divine aid, they sought human solutions by looking to the most powerful nations of their time. This reveals a complete departure from their covenantal relationship with God, who was their intended protector and deliverer.
Hosea 8 8 Bonus Section
This verse highlights the danger of pragmatism and humanism in faith. When nations or individuals look to worldly solutions and powerful political entities rather than seeking God's guidance and trusting His promises, they are essentially choosing spiritual blindness and weakness. The comparison to a dove without a heart is powerful: it suggests a creature that has lost its natural instinct for survival and guidance, easily preyed upon. This spiritual perversion of seeking security from human means mirrors idolatry, where God is replaced by created things or systems. Hosea’s message here is a timeless warning against a faith that tries to blend allegiance to God with trust in secular power structures. True security and wisdom come only from unwavering dependence on the Lord.
Hosea 8 8 Commentary
Israel, referred to as Ephraim, is portrayed as lacking divine wisdom and spiritual discernment, likened to a "silly dove without a heart." This signifies their utter foolishness and susceptibility to being easily trapped or exploited. Their security, they believed, lay not in their covenant God, but in forming alliances with powerful human empires like Assyria and Egypt. This reliance on the "arm of flesh" was a severe betrayal of their faith and demonstrated a rejection of God’s provision and protection. It's a stark reminder that placing trust in human power, political schemes, or material security over faith in God leads to ruin. The consequence of such actions is not just external but a spiritual hollowness, a loss of divine guidance and true understanding, as the "heart" or mind is not oriented toward God. This folly would ultimately lead to their destruction and exile.