Hosea 9 6

Hosea 9:6 kjv

For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles.

Hosea 9:6 nkjv

For indeed they are gone because of destruction. Egypt shall gather them up; Memphis shall bury them. Nettles shall possess their valuables of silver; Thorns shall be in their tents.

Hosea 9:6 niv

Even if they escape from destruction, Egypt will gather them, and Memphis will bury them. Their treasures of silver will be taken over by briers, and thorns will overrun their tents.

Hosea 9:6 esv

For behold, they are going away from destruction; but Egypt shall gather them; Memphis shall bury them. Nettles shall possess their precious things of silver; thorns shall be in their tents.

Hosea 9:6 nlt

Even if you escape destruction from Assyria,
Egypt will conquer you, and Memphis will bury you.
Nettles will take over your treasures of silver;
thistles will invade your ruined homes.

Hosea 9 verses

Hosea 9 6 Meaning

Hosea 9:6 describes Israel's impending doom. The land, marred by their sin, will be overrun. They will experience distress and affliction, culminating in their destruction and removal from their homes.

Hosea 9 6 Context

This verse is part of Hosea's prophecy against the northern kingdom of Israel. Israel, through persistent idolatry and infidelity to God, has incurred divine judgment. Hosea uses vivid imagery and often painful pronouncements to convey God's broken heart and righteous anger over their sin. This specific verse speaks to the finality of their coming punishment—exile and destruction—and the desolation that will follow. The chapter details their corrupt worship and spiritual harlotry, leading to the pronouncements of severe consequence.

Hosea 9 6 Word Analysis

• “For” (וְעַתָּה֙, ve’attah): This conjunction marks a consequence or transition. It signifies "and now" or "therefore," leading into the pronouncement of judgment. It’s an immediate consequence of their past actions.
• “behold” (הִנֵּה֙, hinneh): An exclamation of attention, drawing the listener’s focus to the truth of what follows. It intensifies the message of impending doom.
• “they are gone” (יָֽצְא֔וּ, yats’u): Literally "they go out" or "they depart." It signifies removal, leaving, or expulsion. This anticipates their exile. The Septuagint (LXX) translates it as "they will go into exile."
• “because of destruction” (מִשָּׁ֖ד, mishshod): "Shod" means devastation, ruin, spoil, or destruction. The preposition "mi" indicates the cause or source of their going out. Their departure is a direct result of the devastating judgment about to fall upon them.
• “Egypt” (מִצְרָ֑יִם, Mitsrayim): Refers to Egypt. In Hosea, Egypt often represents a place of temporary refuge or past salvation, but here, coupled with Assyria, it denotes a place of forced departure and exile, mirroring the Exodus in reverse—from promise to bondage again.
• “Assyria” (אַשּׁ֑וּר, ’Asshur): Refers to Assyria, the superpower of the time, which would conquer the Northern Kingdom. This identifies the agent of their destruction and exile.
• “Assyria shall carry them away” (אַשּׁוּר־יִשָּׂם֙, ’Asshur yissam): "Yissam" is a verb from the root נָסַס (nasas), meaning to bear away, carry off captive, or desolation. It clearly states they will be taken captive by Assyria.
• “She shall take them” (לֹ֥ו הַחְזֵק֙, lo hachzeq): "Hachzeq" means to seize, take possession, or hold firmly. It emphasizes the firm grip and unyielding power with which Assyria will seize Israel.
• “his possesssions” (יֶבְרִי־גְפַנָּי): The Hebrew here is complex and has variant readings. The Masoretic Text (MT) reads "yibrê gəpānáy" (his vinedressers) or possibly "his fruitful branches." Some translations read "his delightful possessions" or "his delightful branches," connecting it to their fruitfulness that God had granted but will now be seized. The idea is that their finest assets, symbolized by fruitful vinedressers or branches, will be taken by the captors.
• “Gaza” (עַזָּה֙, ’Azzah): The Philistine city. Its mention here adds to the widespread scattering and humiliation, indicating they will be dispersed even to the coastal regions, formerly rivals and enemies.

Hosea 9 6 Bonus Section

The contrast between God's initial provision and Israel's ultimate desolation is a recurring theme. Their exile serves as a reversal of the Exodus from Egypt, moving from liberation to subjugation. The "destruction" mentioned is not merely physical but also spiritual and societal, representing the total breakdown of their covenant relationship with God. The "possessions" or "vinedressers" taken by Assyria can also be seen as God's people themselves, the fruit of His vineyard, being forcibly removed and dispersed. This verse illustrates that the consequences of sin are pervasive and impact every aspect of life, leading to loss, affliction, and humiliation.

Hosea 9 6 Commentary

Hosea 9:6 is a stark declaration of divine judgment, detailing the imminent exile of Israel. The verse combines the concept of departure with the agencies of destruction (Egypt and Assyria) and the forceful seizure of what was once considered God's blessing (their "possessions" or "vinedressers"). It’s not just an act of conquest but a reversal of fortune. Israel, favored by God and once fruitful, will be stripped bare. The mention of Egypt and Assyria underscores their lack of refuge and the vast scope of their humiliation. They are "gone," signifying a total removal from their land, their identity now reduced to captives. The verse emphasizes that their flourishing (symbolized by fruitful branches or vinedressers) will be possessed by their enemies, highlighting the bitter consequence of their unfaithfulness.