Hosea 10:15

KJV

So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.

KJV (with Strong's)

So {H3602} shall Bethel {H1008} do {H6213} unto you because {H6440} of your great {H7451} wickedness {H7451}: in a morning {H7837} shall the king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} utterly {H1820} be cut off {H1820}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus will be done to you, Beit-El, because of your great wickedness; at dawn the king of Isra'el will be completely cut off.

Berean Standard Bible

Thus it will be done to you, O Bethel, because of your great wickedness. When the day dawns, the king of Israel will be utterly cut off.

American Standard Version

So shall Beth-el do unto you because of your great wickedness: at daybreak shall the king of Israel be utterly cut off.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 10:15 delivers a severe prophetic indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, specifically targeting the city of Bethel and the reigning monarchy. It declares that the very place of their profound idolatry and "great wickedness" will become the instrument or locus of their demise, culminating in the swift and complete destruction of the king of Israel. This verse serves as a stark warning of God's righteous judgment against persistent covenant unfaithfulness and spiritual rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a chapter that intensifies Hosea's prophetic condemnation of Israel's rampant idolatry, political instability, and reliance on foreign alliances rather than on Yahweh. Chapter 10 opens with the metaphor of Israel as a "vining empty vine" whose prosperity has only led to increased sin, building more altars and pillars for false gods [Hosea 10:1](/hosea/10-1 "Hosea 10:1 - Israel's Fruitful Sin"). The prophet details their hypocrisy, their trust in chariots and warriors instead of God, and their refusal to "sow righteousness" [Hosea 10:12-13](/hosea/10-12-13 "Hosea 10:12-13 - Sowing and Reaping Injustice"). Verse 15, therefore, serves as the climactic pronouncement of the inevitable judgment that will follow such persistent rebellion, specifically highlighting Bethel as the epicenter of their spiritual corruption and the king as the embodiment of the nation's failed leadership.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Hosea is set against the tumultuous backdrop of the declining Northern Kingdom of Israel, leading up to its fall to Assyria in 722 BC. The mention of Bethel is highly significant. Originally named Luz, it was renamed "Bethel" ("House of God") by Jacob after his encounter with God there [Genesis 28:19](/genesis/28-19 "Genesis 28:19 - Jacob Names Bethel"). However, after the division of the kingdom, King Jeroboam I established Bethel as a royal sanctuary and a center for calf worship, an act of political and religious apostasy designed to prevent his people from returning to Jerusalem to worship [1 Kings 12:28-29](/1_kings/12-28-29 "1 Kings 12:28-29 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves at Bethel"). Thus, Bethel, once sacred, became a notorious symbol of Israel's institutionalized idolatry. The "king of Israel" refers to the succession of unstable monarchs in the Northern Kingdom, many of whom were short-lived and characterized by wickedness, further contributing to the nation's downfall. The "morning" implies the suddenness and unexpected nature of the Assyrian conquest, which would indeed swiftly dismantle the monarchy and national independence [2 Kings 17:5-6](/2_kings/17-5-6 "2 Kings 17:5-6 - Assyria Conquers Israel").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several major themes prevalent in Hosea and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment on Idolatry**, emphasizing that the very places and practices of Israel's sin, particularly at Bethel, would become the scene or instrument of their punishment. Secondly, it conveys the theme of **Sudden and Utter Destruction**, illustrating God's decisive and swift action against unrepentant sin, culminating in the complete cessation of the monarchy. Finally, it reinforces the principle of **Consequences of Rebellion**, demonstrating the direct and severe repercussions of Israel's "great wickedness"—their persistent unfaithfulness, covenant breaking, and rejection of God's ways. These themes collectively reveal God's justice in holding His covenant people accountable for their actions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bethel (Hebrew, _Bêyth-ʼÊl'_):** From the Hebrew words for "house" and "God," meaning "House of God." This name carries immense historical and theological weight, recalling Jacob's encounter with God and the establishment of a sacred site. However, in Hosea's time, it had become a notorious center of idolatry under Jeroboam I, making its mention here a poignant indictment: the very "House of God" had become a house of wickedness, and thus the source of its own judgment.
* **wickedness (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** This term denotes something bad or evil, encompassing both natural and moral corruption. In this context, it refers to Israel's profound moral and spiritual depravity, particularly their idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and social injustice. The repetition of the root in "great wickedness" (H7451, H7451) intensifies the degree of their sin, implying an overwhelming and pervasive evil that necessitated severe divine intervention.
* **cut off (Hebrew, _dâmâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to be dumb or silent," and by extension, "to fail or perish," or transitively, "to destroy." This word conveys a sense of complete cessation, an abrupt and final end. When applied to the king, it signifies not merely death, but the utter termination of his reign, the monarchy, and by extension, the national independence of the Northern Kingdom. It underscores the finality and decisiveness of God's judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness":** This clause pronounces the direct link between Israel's sin and its punishment. "Bethel" is personified, implying that the very place where Israel committed its most egregious idolatry will be the instrument or focal point of their suffering. The judgment is a direct consequence, a reaping of what they have sown due to their "great wickedness"—their profound and pervasive spiritual corruption, particularly the calf worship established there.
* **"in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off":** This phrase emphasizes the suddenness, completeness, and scope of the impending judgment. "In a morning" (literally "at dawn") vividly portrays an unexpected, swift, and decisive event, like a surprise attack or a sudden end to darkness. The "king of Israel" represents not just the individual monarch but the entire political, spiritual, and national leadership of the Northern Kingdom. To be "utterly cut off" signifies a total and irreversible cessation of the monarchy, symbolizing the end of Israel's independent national existence.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 10:15 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. **Personification** is evident in the phrase "Bethel shall do unto you," attributing agency to the city itself, suggesting that the very site of their sin will be the source or instrument of their downfall. This highlights the direct correlation between their actions and their consequences. The phrase "great wickedness" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extreme and pervasive nature of Israel's sin, which has reached a tipping point demanding divine intervention. Furthermore, the "king of Israel" functions as a **Metonymy**, where the leader stands for the entire nation and its corrupt system, indicating that the judgment on the king signifies the collapse of the entire kingdom. Finally, the imagery of judgment arriving "in a morning" acts as a vivid **Symbolism** for the sudden, unexpected, and decisive nature of God's intervention, much like the abrupt transition from night to day.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 10:15 is a profound theological statement on God's unwavering justice and the severe consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. It reveals that God, though merciful and patient, will not tolerate persistent rebellion and idolatry among His chosen people. The judgment on Bethel and the king of Israel underscores the principle that sin, especially institutionalized and pervasive wickedness, ultimately leads to destruction. This verse serves as a stark reminder that God holds leaders and nations accountable for their moral and spiritual choices, demonstrating that His holiness demands a response to sin, ensuring that His covenant is upheld, even through punitive measures.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 10:15, while a specific prophecy to ancient Israel, carries timeless spiritual truths for believers today. It serves as a potent reminder of the seriousness of spiritual compromise and the insidious nature of idolatry, whether it manifests as overt worship of false gods or the subtle elevation of anything above God in our lives—be it wealth, power, comfort, or self. We are called to examine our own "Bethels"—the places, practices, or areas of our lives that we have perhaps consecrated to something other than God, or where we have allowed "great wickedness" to fester through complacency or deliberate disobedience. This verse challenges us to recognize that God is just and that persistent unfaithfulness, even in seemingly small ways, can lead to severe consequences. It urges us to cultivate a posture of humility, constant repentance, and unwavering devotion, ensuring that our hearts and lives remain true to the Lord, lest we, too, experience a "morning" of sudden judgment in areas where we have rebelled.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Bethels" or areas in my life might I be inadvertently consecrating to something other than God?**
* **In what ways might subtle forms of "wickedness" or spiritual compromise be hindering my relationship with God or impacting my community?**
* **How does the suddenness of the judgment in this verse challenge my assumptions about God's patience and my own timeline for repentance?**
* **What specific steps can I take to ensure my loyalty and devotion to God remain undivided, reflecting His holiness in all aspects of my life?**

### FAQ

**Why is Bethel specifically mentioned in this prophecy of judgment?**

Answer: Bethel is mentioned specifically because it held immense historical and symbolic significance for Israel, yet it had become a notorious center of idolatry. Originally, it was a sacred site where Jacob encountered God and named it "House of God" [Genesis 28:19](/genesis/28-19 "Genesis 28:19 - Jacob Names Bethel"). However, after the division of the kingdom, King Jeroboam I established one of his golden calves there, turning it into a rival worship center to Jerusalem [1 Kings 12:28-29](/1_kings/12-28-29 "1 Kings 12:28-29 - Jeroboam's Idolatry at Bethel"). Thus, Bethel, once a symbol of God's presence, became the epitome of Israel's "great wickedness" and spiritual apostasy. Its mention signifies that the very place of their profound sin would become the locus or instrument of their judgment, a fitting and ironic consequence.

**What does "utterly be cut off" imply for the king of Israel and the nation?**

Answer: The phrase "utterly be cut off" (from the Hebrew _dâmâh_) implies a complete, decisive, and irreversible cessation or destruction. For the "king of Israel," it means not just the death of an individual monarch, but the absolute termination of the Northern Kingdom's monarchy and, by extension, its national independence. This prophecy foreshadowed the historical reality of the Assyrian conquest, which would indeed bring a swift and final end to the Israelite kingdom and its royal line, leading to the deportation of its people [2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - Assyrian Conquest and Exile"). It signifies a divine judgment of such magnitude that it would dismantle the very structures of their political and religious life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 10:15, with its pronouncement of the king of Israel being "utterly cut off" due to "great wickedness," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate cutting off of a King, not for His own wickedness, but for ours. The earthly kings of Israel, like those in Hosea's day, consistently failed to lead the people in righteousness, eventually being "cut off" by divine judgment. This highlights humanity's desperate need for a perfect King. Jesus Christ, the true King of Israel and the Son of God, was indeed "cut off" from the land of the living, not in judgment for His own sin, but as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world [Isaiah 53:8](/isaiah/53-8 "Isaiah 53:8 - Christ Cut Off for Our Transgressions"); [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His crucifixion, a seemingly utter cutting off, was in fact the means by which He established an eternal kingdom, providing atonement for the "great wickedness" of humanity. Unlike the earthly kings whose demise brought an end to their reign, Christ's death led to His glorious resurrection and enthronement, inaugurating a new covenant and inviting all who believe into His everlasting kingdom, where He reigns in perfect righteousness and justice [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Deliverance into Christ's Kingdom"); [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes Christ's"). Thus, the judgment on Israel's king, a consequence of sin, points to the sacrificial cutting off of the Messiah, the King who conquers sin itself.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hosea 10:5

The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof [that] rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.

Hosea 10:7

[As for] Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.

Hosea 10:3

For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?

Romans 7:13

Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

Amos 7:9

And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.

Amos 7:17

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.

Isaiah 16:14

But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant [shall be] very small [and] feeble.