King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
The watchman of Ephraim [was] with my God: [but] the prophet [is] a snare of a fowler in all his ways, [and] hatred in the house of his God.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The watchman of Efrayim is with my God, but a prophet has a fowler's snare set on all his paths and hostility even in the house of his God.
Berean Standard Bible:
The prophet is Ephraim’s watchman, along with my God, yet the snare of the fowler lies on all his paths. Hostility is in the house of his God!
American Standard Version:
Ephraim was a watchman with my God: as for the prophet, a fowler’s snare is in all his ways, and enmity in the house of his God.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The watchman{H6822} of Ephraim{H669} was with my God{H430}: but the prophet{H5030} is a snare{H6341} of a fowler{H3352} in all his ways{H1870}, and hatred{H4895} in the house{H1004} of his God{H430}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Hosea 5:1
- ¶ Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment [is] toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.
Ezekiel 3:17
- Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
Isaiah 62:6
- ¶ I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, [which] shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
Micah 7:4
- The best of them [is] as a brier: the most upright [is sharper] than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen [and] thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.
Lamentations 2:14
- Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.
2 Kings 7:19
- And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, [if] the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
1 Kings 22:28
- And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.
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Commentary for Hosea 9:8
Hosea 9:8 is a verse that reflects the tumultuous spiritual and political climate of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, also known as Ephraim, during the 8th century BCE. The verse captures the essence of the prophetic role in Israelite society and the tragic consequences of failing to heed divine warnings.
In this verse, the "watchman of Ephraim" refers to the prophet Hosea himself or to the prophetic office in general. The watchman's role was to alert the people to impending danger, both physical and spiritual. In the context of Hosea, the watchman is charged with the task of warning the people of Ephraim about their apostasy and the resulting divine judgment. The phrase "with my God" suggests an intimacy or association with God, indicating that the watchman's messages are from a divine source.
However, the verse quickly shifts tone, describing the prophet as "a snare of a fowler in all his ways." This metaphor portrays the prophet as a trap set by a bird hunter, implying that the people see the prophet's messages as a threat or a nuisance rather than a guide for repentance. The prophet's call to return to God is met with animosity and rejection. The phrase "hatred in the house of his God" further emphasizes the hostility directed towards the prophetic message within the religious establishment itself. This suggests a deep division within the community, with the prophet facing opposition even from those who should be most receptive to God's word.
The historical context of Hosea 9:8 is the decline of the Northern Kingdom, characterized by idolatry, corruption, and a series of ineffectual rulers. The verse reflects the tension between the divine command to uphold justice and righteousness and the popular resistance to such moral and spiritual demands. Hosea's message is a sobering one, foretelling the downfall of the kingdom due to its unfaithfulness to God's covenant. The verse encapsulates the tragedy of a people who have turned away from their protector and the dire consequences of rejecting the very watchmen appointed to guide them back to safety.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6822
There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָפָה
Transliteration: tsâphâh
Pronunciation: tsaw-faw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await; behold, espy, look up (well), wait for, (keep the) watch(-man). - Strong's Number: H669
There are 313 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶפְרַיִם
Transliteration: ʼEphrayim
Pronunciation: ef-rah'-yim
Description: dual of masculine form of אֶפְרָת; double fruit; Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; Ephraim, Ephraimites. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H5030
There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָבִיא
Transliteration: nâbîyʼ
Pronunciation: naw-bee'
Description: from נָבָא; a prophet or (generally) inspired man; prophecy, that prophesy, prophet. - Strong's Number: H6341
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּח
Transliteration: pach
Pronunciation: pakh
Description: from פָּחַח; a (metallic) sheet (as pounded thin); also a spring net (as spread out like a lamina); gin, (thin) plate, snare. - Strong's Number: H3352
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָקוֹשׁ
Transliteration: yâqôwsh
Pronunciation: yaw-koshe'
Description: from יָקֹשׁ; properly, entangling; hence, a snarer; fowler. - Strong's Number: H1870
There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
Transliteration: derek
Pronunciation: deh'-rek
Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). - Strong's Number: H4895
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַשְׂטֵמָה
Transliteration: masṭêmâh
Pronunciation: mas-tay-maw'
Description: from the same as שֹׁטֵט; enmity; hatred. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).