Hosea 10:14

Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon [her] children.

Therefore shall a tumult {H7588} arise {H6965} among thy people {H5971}, and all thy fortresses {H4013} shall be spoiled {H7703}, as Shalman {H8020} spoiled {H7701} Betharbel {H1009} in the day {H3117} of battle {H4421}: the mother {H517} was dashed in pieces {H7376} upon her children {H1121}.

turmoil will erupt among your peoples, and all your fortresses will be destroyed; just as Shalman destroyed Beit-Arbel on the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces right along with their children.

the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be demolished as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel in the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children.

Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces with her children.

Commentary

Hosea 10:14 serves as a stark prophecy of the devastating judgment awaiting the northern kingdom of Israel due to their persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness to God. The verse vividly describes the chaos and destruction that would befall them, drawing a parallel to a known historical atrocity.

Context

In Hosea chapter 10, the prophet continues his indictment against Israel, likening them to a "luxuriant vine" that produces fruit for itself rather than for God (Hosea 10:1). Their divided heart, false oaths, and reliance on human strength over divine guidance have led them astray. The preceding verses lament their spiritual decay, their worship of idols like the calf at Beth-aven (Bethel), and their refusal to sow righteousness. Verse 14 is the grim consequence of this spiritual rebellion, a direct fulfillment of the principle that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap".

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The verse unequivocally declares that a "tumult" and the "spoiling" of fortresses are direct results of Israel's sin. It underscores that God's patience is not endless and that disobedience carries severe repercussions.
  • Brutality of War: The horrific imagery of "the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children" highlights the extreme cruelty and lack of mercy characteristic of ancient warfare, particularly when God allows judgment to unfold through invading armies. This shocking detail emphasizes the totality of the impending destruction.
  • Historical Precedent and Warning: The reference to "Shalman spoiled Beth-arbel" grounds the prophecy in a specific, presumably well-known, historical event. Shalman is widely believed to be Shalmaneser V, the Assyrian king who began the siege of Samaria. Beth-arbel was likely a city in Gilead or northern Israel, whose destruction served as a terrifying example of Assyrian conquest and the fate that awaited unrepentant Israel.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "spoiled" (shadad) means to devastate, ruin, or violently destroy, emphasizing the complete obliteration of their defenses.
  • "Dashed in pieces" (ratash) is a very strong verb, conveying the brutal act of smashing or shattering, leaving no doubt about the violent nature of the destruction.

Practical Application

Hosea 10:14 serves as a timeless reminder of the serious consequences of spiritual rebellion and turning away from God. While the immediate context is ancient Israel, the principle remains: choosing idolatry, whether of physical idols or modern substitutes like wealth, power, or self, ultimately leads to internal chaos and external vulnerability. It calls believers today to:

  • Examine Their Hearts: Ensure their devotion is undivided and truly directed towards God alone, not mixed with worldly allegiances (James 4:4).
  • Recognize Divine Justice: Understand that God is just and that persistent sin will inevitably lead to consequences, though His desire is always for repentance and restoration (2 Peter 3:9).
  • Embrace Righteous Living: As Hosea 10:12 encourages, "sow to yourselves in righteousness," reaping the blessings of obedience rather than the devastation of rebellion.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hosea 13:16

    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.

  • 2 Kings 18:9

    ¶ And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which [was] the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, [that] Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.

  • 2 Kings 18:10

    And at the end of three years they took it: [even] in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that [is] the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.

  • Nahum 3:12

    All thy strong holds [shall be like] fig trees with the firstripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.

  • 2 Kings 19:11

    Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?

  • 2 Kings 19:13

    Where [is] the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?

  • Genesis 32:11

    Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, [and] the mother with the children.
← Back