Hosea 9:14

"I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place; but Ephraim will bring out his children to the murderer."

Key Reflection

Ephraim is compared to Tyre, symbolizing prosperity and a favorable location. Despite this blessing, Ephraim's people will still lead their children to a place of death or violence, highlighting the spiritual blindness and eventual judgment that comes despite outward prosperity.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Give them a miscarrying womb -The prophet prays for Israel, and debates with himself what he can ask for, amid this their determined wickedness, and God’s judgments. Since “Ephraim” was “to bring forth children to the murderer,” then it was mercy to ask for them, that they might have no children. Since such are the evils which await their children, grant them, O Lord, as a blessing, the sorrows of barrenness. What God had before pronounced as a punishment, should, as compared to other evils, be a mercy, and an object of prayer. So our Lord pronounces as to the destruction of Jerusalem.

More from Hosea 9

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion