Hosea 10:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

As for Samaria {H8111}, her king {H4428} is cut off {H1820} as the foam {H7110} upon {H6440} the water {H4325}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Shomron's king will perish like foam on the surface of the water.

Berean Standard Bible

Samaria will be carried off with her king like a twig on the surface of the water.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 10:7 delivers a stark prophetic indictment against Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and its reigning monarch. The verse vividly portrays the impending and complete annihilation of Israel's earthly leadership and political stability, likening the king's demise to the swift and utter disappearance of foam upon the water. This powerful imagery underscores the transient and insubstantial nature of human power when it stands in opposition to God's sovereign will, signaling the imminent divine judgment upon a nation steeped in idolatry and political corruption.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 10 is a chapter replete with imagery of Israel's spiritual decline and the inevitable consequences. Immediately preceding this verse, Hosea 10:1-6 describes Israel's misplaced trust in their own prosperity and idols, their divided hearts, and the impending destruction of their altars and images. The prophet laments their reliance on human kings and military might rather than on the Lord. Verse 7, by specifically naming Samaria and its king, sharpens the focus of the judgment, moving from general national apostasy to the specific locus of political power. The subsequent verses continue to detail the desolation that will befall Israel, emphasizing the harvest of injustice they have sown and the futility of their efforts to escape divine wrath.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hosea prophesied during the turbulent final decades of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (750-715 BC), a period characterized by extreme political instability. Kings frequently rose and fell through violent coups, often lasting only a few months or years. This instability was exacerbated by Israel's entanglement in the geopolitical struggles between the rising Assyrian Empire and the declining powers of Egypt and Syria. Samaria, as the capital, was a hub of both political intrigue and syncretistic worship, blending the worship of Yahweh with Canaanite Baalism. The "king" mentioned here likely refers to the current monarch at the time of the prophecy, but also symbolizes the entire institution of Israelite kingship, which had become corrupt and unfaithful to God's covenant. The Assyrians, under Shalmaneser V and Sargon II, would eventually besiege and conquer Samaria in 722 BC, leading to the exile of the Northern Kingdom, fulfilling such prophecies of its leadership being "cut off."
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Hosea and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights **Divine Judgment**, demonstrating God's righteous response to Israel's persistent unfaithfulness and idolatry, as seen throughout [Hosea](/hosea/1 "The Book of Hosea - God's Steadfast Love for Unfaithful Israel"). The imagery of vanishing foam emphasizes the **Transience of Human Power** and the futility of trusting in earthly rulers or military strength rather than the Lord. This theme is echoed in passages like [Psalm 146:3-4](/psalms/146-3-4 "Psalm 146:3-4 - Do Not Trust in Princes"), which warns against putting trust in princes. Furthermore, the verse underscores the **Consequences of Sin**, illustrating how Israel's spiritual apostasy and political corruption inevitably lead to national ruin and the collapse of their leadership, a consistent message from the Law to the Prophets (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **king (Hebrew, _melek'_):** From H4428, this word refers to a monarch or sovereign ruler. In Hosea 10:7, "her king" specifically denotes the earthly ruler of Samaria, symbolizing the entire institution of Israelite kingship in the Northern Kingdom. The use of this term highlights the human authority that was being challenged and ultimately dissolved by divine judgment, contrasting sharply with God's eternal sovereignty.
* **cut off (Hebrew, _dâmâh'_):** From H1820, this primitive root signifies to be dumb or silent, and by extension, to fail, perish, or be destroyed. The passive form used here ("is cut off") emphasizes that the king's demise is an accomplished fact, a divinely ordained cessation of power. It conveys a sense of finality and utter annihilation, indicating that the king's reign will not merely end, but will vanish without a trace, brought to silence.
* **foam (Hebrew, _qetseph'_):** From H7110, this word refers to a splinter (as chipped off), and figuratively, rage or strife, or foam. In this context, "foam" refers to the frothy, insubstantial bubbles that form on water and quickly dissipate. This imagery is crucial to the simile, highlighting the extreme ephemerality and insignificance of the king's power in the face of God's decree. It suggests that the king's authority, despite its outward appearance, holds no lasting substance.
* **upon (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** From H6440, this word is plural but used singularly, meaning "the face." It is used in a great variety of applications, including as a preposition "upon" or "before." Here, "upon the water" specifies the location where the foam exists, emphasizing its superficial and transient existence on the surface of something larger and more enduring (the water itself, which represents a constant, though here, it's the medium for the foam's disappearance).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[As for] Samaria, her king":** This opening phrase immediately identifies the target of the prophecy: the capital city of the Northern Kingdom and its ruler. Samaria was not just a geographical location but a symbol of Israel's apostasy, political instability, and defiance against God. The focus on "her king" underscores that the judgment is specifically directed at the leadership that had led the nation astray.
* **"is cut off":** This clause declares the king's inevitable demise. The verb "cut off" (from _dâmâh_) implies a complete cessation, a silencing, or an utter destruction. It conveys a sense of finality and divine agency, indicating that this is not merely a natural end but a decisive act of judgment. The king's reign and influence will be brought to an abrupt and absolute end.
* **"as the foam upon the water":** This powerful simile provides the vivid imagery for the manner of the king's destruction. Just as foam, a transient and insubstantial phenomenon, forms on the surface of water only to quickly disappear without a trace, so too will Samaria's king and his authority vanish. This comparison emphasizes the utter insignificance, fragility, and swift disappearance of human power when it is opposed to God's will, leaving no lasting impact or memory.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Hosea 10:7 is **Simile**. The king's fate is explicitly compared to "foam upon the water" using the comparative particle "as" (כְּ, _k'qetseph_). This simile is highly effective because foam is universally understood as something insubstantial, ephemeral, and easily dissipated, perfectly illustrating the fleeting nature of Samaria's political power and the swiftness of its destruction. The image evokes a sense of utter insignificance and impermanence. Additionally, there is an element of **Symbolism**, where "foam" symbolizes the fragility and transience of human authority, particularly when it is not divinely appointed or aligned with God's will. The "water" itself can symbolize the overwhelming forces of judgment or the vastness of history against which human power is but a fleeting ripple. The stark contrast between the perceived power of a king and the utter weakness of foam creates a powerful and memorable prophetic image.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 10:7 profoundly speaks to the theological truth of God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers and the inevitable consequences of national apostasy. It underscores that no human institution, no matter how mighty or established, can stand against the divine will. The transient nature of Samaria's kingship, depicted as vanishing foam, serves as a timeless warning against placing ultimate trust in human leaders, political systems, or military strength. True security and lasting stability are found only in faithfulness to the unchanging God. This verse highlights God's justice in bringing judgment upon those who persistently reject His covenant and embrace idolatry and injustice, demonstrating that sin always carries a devastating cost.

* [Psalm 2:10-12](/psalms/2-10-12 "Psalm 2:10-12 - Serve the Lord with Fear")
* [Isaiah 40:23-24](/isaiah/40-23-24 "Isaiah 40:23-24 - God Brings Princes to Nothing")
* [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Eternal Kingdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 10:7 offers a sobering yet vital lesson for believers today, reminding us that all earthly power, prestige, and influence are ultimately fleeting and subject to God's sovereign hand. In a world often captivated by political leaders, economic systems, and military might, this verse calls us to shift our ultimate allegiance and trust from the transient to the eternal. It challenges us to examine where our true security lies: is it in the stability of our nation, the strength of our economy, or the wisdom of our leaders, all of which can vanish like foam? Or is it in the unchanging character and unfailing promises of God? This passage also serves as a potent reminder of the consequences of spiritual compromise and the importance of national righteousness. As individuals and communities, we are called to live lives of faithfulness, justice, and humility before God, recognizing that true flourishing comes not from human ingenuity or strength, but from aligning ourselves with His righteous will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I tend to place my ultimate trust and hope: in human institutions and leaders, or in God alone?**
* **How does the transient nature of earthly power, as depicted in this verse, shape my prayers and my engagement with the world?**
* **What "foam" in my own life—perhaps temporary successes, fleeting pleasures, or unstable foundations—might I be clinging to instead of God's enduring truth?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of Samaria in Hosea's prophecy?**

Answer: Samaria was the capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (also known as Ephraim), and by Hosea's time, it had become a potent symbol of the nation's deep-seated spiritual apostasy, political instability, and social injustice. It was the center of idolatrous worship, where the people had blended the worship of Yahweh with Canaanite Baalism, and where a succession of corrupt and short-lived kings had led the nation further away from God's covenant. Therefore, when Hosea pronounces judgment on Samaria and its king, he is targeting the very heart of Israel's rebellion and its failed leadership, foreshadowing the city's eventual fall to the Assyrians in [722 BC](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - The Fall of Samaria").

**How does the imagery of "foam upon the water" convey the king's fate?**

Answer: The imagery of "foam upon the water" is a powerful simile that vividly illustrates the complete and swift annihilation of Samaria's king and, by extension, the entire institution of Israelite kingship in the Northern Kingdom. Foam is inherently insubstantial, temporary, and easily dissipated; it forms on the surface of water only to quickly vanish without a trace. This metaphor emphasizes the utter insignificance, fragility, and impermanence of human power when it is not founded upon or aligned with God's sovereign will. It suggests that despite any outward show of strength, the king's authority would be swept away effortlessly, leaving no lasting impact, much like the froth on a river that disappears into nothingness. This imagery underscores the futility of trusting in earthly rulers as opposed to the eternal God, as seen in [Psalm 146:3-4](/psalms/146-3-4 "Psalm 146:3-4 - Do Not Trust in Princes").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 10:7, with its stark prophecy of the transient nature of earthly kingship, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the establishment of an eternal, unshakable kingdom under the reign of Jesus Christ. While Samaria's kings were "cut off as the foam upon the water," signifying the utter collapse of human authority, Christ's kingdom is described as one that "shall never be destroyed" ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Eternal Kingdom")). The fleeting power of human monarchs, prone to corruption and destined for destruction, stands in sharp contrast to the everlasting dominion of the King of kings, whose "dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away" ([Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Son of Man's Everlasting Dominion")). The judgment pronounced upon Samaria's unfaithful king foreshadows the ultimate judgment that will be meted out to all earthly powers that oppose God, culminating in Christ's triumphant return where He will "destroy every rule and every authority and power" ([1_corinthians/15-24](/1_corinthians/15-24 "1 Corinthians 15:24 - Christ's Final Victory")). Thus, the instability and demise of human rule in Hosea points forward to the stable, righteous, and eternal reign of the Messiah, the true Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world and establishes a kingdom that will endure forever ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Christ")).

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 10:3

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

Hosea 13:11

I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took [him] away in my wrath.

2 Kings 17:4

And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as [he had done] year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison.

2 Kings 1:3

But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, [Is it] not because [there is] not a God in Israel, [that] ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?

1 Kings 21:1

¶ And it came to pass after these things, [that] Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which [was] in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.

Hosea 10:15

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

2 Kings 15:30

And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.