Hosea 13 KJV: The Death of a Nation and the Promise of Resurrection

Hosea 13 documents the final spiritual and political death of Ephraim as they cling to the 'kissing of calves' and self-inflicted destruction. Yet, in the midst of describing the coming Assyrian 'east wind,' it contains the radical promise of God ransoming His people from the power of the grave.

  1. v1-3: The Disappearing Mist of Idolatry
  2. v4-8: The Lion and the Forgotten God
  3. v9-11: The Destruction of the Human Monarchy
  4. v12-16: The Agony of Birth and the Ransom from Death

Hosea chapter 13

When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.
And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.
Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.
Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.
I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:
I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.
O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.
I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?
I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.
The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.
The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.
Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.

Witness the tragic end of a nation that forgot its Creator, yet catch a glimpse of the power that defeats death itself. Begin your study with hosea 13 summary.

Paul later quotes the 'O death, where is thy sting?' passage in 1 Corinthians 15, showing that Hosea’s prophecy pointed to the ultimate victory of Christ. The 'Word Secret' is *Yechi*, meaning 'I will be,' used as a question to challenge the power of death and the grave. Discover the riches with hosea 13 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.

Unlock the hidden hosea 13 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.

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3 min read (426 words)