Hosea 11:5

KJV

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.

KJV (with Strong's)

He shall not return {H7725} into the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, but the Assyrian {H804} shall be his king {H4428}, because they refused {H3985} to return {H7725}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He will not return to the land of Egypt, but Ashur will be his king, because they refused to repent.

Berean Standard Bible

Will they not return to the land of Egypt and be ruled by Assyria because they refused to repent?

American Standard Version

They shall not return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian shall be their king, because they refused to return to me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 11:5 pronounces God's judgment upon the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) for their persistent spiritual rebellion and refusal to return to Him. Instead of finding refuge in Egypt, as they often sought through political alliances, they would face the inevitable consequence of their unfaithfulness: subjugation and exile under the Assyrian Empire. This verse underscores the divine principle that a nation's stubborn refusal to repent leads directly to severe, divinely ordained consequences, even through the agency of foreign powers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 11 stands as a poignant expression of God's deep, fatherly love for Israel, juxtaposed with their persistent unfaithfulness. The chapter begins with God recalling Israel's infancy, how He "called My son out of Egypt" ([Hosea 11:1](/hosea/11-1 "Hosea 11:1 - God's Love for Israel")), nurturing them despite their tendency to stray. Verses 1-4 emphasize God's tender care, leading them with "cords of a man, with bands of love" ([Hosea 11:4](/hosea/11-4 "Hosea 11:4 - God's Tender Leading")). However, despite this divine affection, Israel consistently pursued idolatry and sought alliances with foreign nations like Egypt and Assyria, rather than trusting in their covenant God. Verse 5, therefore, marks a turning point, pivoting from a lament over their ingratitude to a declaration of the inevitable judgment that will befall them due to their unrepentant heart. It sets the stage for the subsequent verses (Hosea 11:6-7) which detail the destructive nature of this judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hosea prophesied during the tumultuous 8th century BC, a period of significant political instability for the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The Assyrian Empire was rapidly expanding, threatening the smaller nations of the Levant. Israel, caught between the rising power of Assyria and the declining influence of Egypt, frequently vacillated between seeking alliances with one or the other, rather than relying on the Lord. This political maneuvering is condemned throughout Hosea (e.g., [Hosea 7:11](/hosea/7-11 "Hosea 7:11 - Israel's Folly in Seeking Alliances")). The desire to "return to Egypt" was not necessarily a literal desire to re-enter slavery, but a metaphorical and political longing for Egyptian protection and influence against Assyria. However, God declares this path closed and futile. The Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom, culminating in the fall of Samaria in 722 BC and the subsequent exile, provides the historical backdrop against which this prophecy was fulfilled, demonstrating God's sovereign use of nations as instruments of judgment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Hosea and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment as a Consequence of Rebellion**. Israel's refusal to "return" (repent) directly leads to their subjugation by Assyria, illustrating that God's covenant faithfulness includes discipline for disobedience. Secondly, it emphasizes **Israel's Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry**, as their reliance on foreign powers like Egypt and Assyria was a manifestation of their deeper spiritual unfaithfulness to Yahweh (see [Hosea 4:12](/hosea/4-12 "Hosea 4:12 - Israel's Spiritual Harlotry")). Thirdly, the verse underscores **God's Sovereignty over Nations**, demonstrating His ability to use even pagan empires like Assyria as instruments of His will, fulfilling His prophetic declarations. Finally, it powerfully conveys the theme of **The Necessity of Repentance**, as Israel's "refusal to return" is explicitly stated as the reason for their impending doom, echoing calls for repentance found throughout the book (e.g., [Hosea 6:1](/hosea/6-1 "Hosea 6:1 - A Call to Return to the Lord")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **return (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** This primitive root (H7725) is crucial to understanding the verse's depth. In "He shall not return into the land of Egypt," it signifies a physical turning back or going back, implying Israel will not find the desired refuge or escape to Egypt. However, in "because they refused to return," _shûwb_ carries the profound theological meaning of spiritual turning, repentance, or conversion. Israel's failure was not merely political miscalculation but a deep-seated spiritual stubbornness, an unwillingness to turn back to God and change their ways.
* **king (Hebrew, _melek'_):** Derived from H4428, this word refers to a monarch or sovereign ruler. The declaration that "the Assyrian shall be his king" directly prophesies the subjugation of Israel, indicating a forceful change of sovereignty where the Northern Kingdom would lose its independence and be ruled by a foreign power, specifically the Assyrian emperor. This highlights the loss of self-determination and the imposition of a foreign yoke as a consequence of their sin.
* **refused (Hebrew, _mâʼên'_):** This primitive root (H3985) means to refuse or utterly deny. Its use here emphasizes the deliberate and unyielding nature of Israel's rebellion. It was not an oversight or a momentary lapse, but a persistent, willful rejection of God's calls to repentance and faithfulness. This word underscores the culpable nature of their disobedience, making the subsequent judgment entirely just.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He shall not return into the land of Egypt":** This clause directly addresses Israel's misguided political strategy. Historically, Israel often looked to Egypt for alliances and protection against encroaching powers like Assyria (e.g., [Isaiah 30:1-3](/isaiah/30-1-3 "Isaiah 30:1-3 - Woe to those who go down to Egypt")). God declares this path closed; Israel will not find refuge or escape by fleeing to Egypt, nor will Egypt offer them the desired security. This negates their human-devised plans for self-preservation.
* **"but the Assyrian shall be his king":** This is a direct prophetic declaration of the consequence. Instead of finding safety in Egypt, Israel will fall under the dominion of Assyria. This foretells the historical reality of the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom, which culminated in the fall of Samaria in 722 BC and the subsequent exile of its people (as recorded in [2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - The Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile")). The term "king" here signifies absolute rule and subjugation.
* **"because they refused to return":** This final clause provides the divine rationale for the preceding judgment. The reason for Israel's impending subjugation by Assyria is explicitly stated as their stubborn and persistent refusal to "return"—a refusal to repent, to turn back to God, to abandon their idolatry and unfaithful alliances, and to honor their covenant. This highlights the moral and spiritual cause-and-effect relationship between Israel's actions and God's judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 11:5 employs several powerful literary devices. The primary device is **Prophecy**, as the verse directly foretells the future subjugation of Israel by Assyria, a historical event that would later come to pass. This serves as a stark warning and demonstrates God's sovereign control over history. There is also a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship established: Israel's refusal to return (cause) directly leads to the Assyrian king ruling over them (effect). This highlights the moral order of God's universe where disobedience yields consequences. Furthermore, the verse uses **Contrast** by juxtaposing Israel's desired outcome (returning to Egypt for safety) with the actual, divinely ordained outcome (being ruled by Assyria). This contrast underscores the futility of human plans when they run contrary to God's will and the consequences of rejecting His ways. Finally, there's an element of **Irony** in that Israel sought refuge in foreign powers, only to find themselves enslaved by another foreign power, precisely because they refused to turn to the one true God who could genuinely protect them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 11:5 profoundly illustrates the principle that divine judgment is often a direct and inevitable consequence of unrepentant sin. God's patience is immense, as shown throughout Hosea 11, but His justice is equally sure. Israel's persistent refusal to turn back to Him, despite His calls and demonstrations of love, resulted in the very outcome they sought to avoid through their misguided alliances. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true security and well-being are found not in human strategies or worldly powers, but in faithful obedience and a repentant relationship with the Lord. It underscores God's sovereignty over all nations, using even pagan empires as instruments of His righteous judgment to bring about His purposes, whether for discipline or redemption.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 2:19](/jeremiah/2-19 "Jeremiah 2:19 - Your Own Wickedness Will Correct You")
* [Romans 1:28](/romans/1-28 "Romans 1:28 - God Gives Them Over")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 11:5 provides a sobering mirror for contemporary believers. Just as ancient Israel stubbornly refused to repent and sought security in worldly alliances rather than in God, we too can be prone to relying on our own strength, financial stability, political systems, or human relationships as ultimate sources of security and guidance. This verse challenges us to examine where our ultimate trust lies. Are we genuinely turning to God in repentance when we stray, or are we, like Israel, refusing to return, hoping to navigate life's challenges through self-reliance or worldly solutions? The consequences for Israel were severe, demonstrating that persistent spiritual stubbornness can lead to divinely ordained difficulties designed to bring us back to Him. Our security is not found in avoiding consequences, but in humble obedience and a trusting relationship with the Lord. This passage calls us to a deeper, more consistent repentance, recognizing that true freedom and peace come only from aligning our lives with God's will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "refusing to return" to God, clinging to my own ways or worldly solutions instead of seeking His guidance and repentance?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's love and justice, particularly His willingness to use difficult circumstances to bring about repentance?**
* **What specific steps can I take to cultivate a more consistent posture of repentance and trust in God, rather than relying on my own strength or external circumstances?**

### FAQ
**What does "He shall not return into the land of Egypt" mean in this context?**

Answer: This phrase means that Israel will not find the refuge or escape they often sought by forming alliances with Egypt. Historically, Israel looked to Egypt for political and military support against encroaching powers like Assyria, hoping to avoid subjugation. However, God declares this path closed and futile. Their attempts to "return" to Egypt, either literally by fleeing there or metaphorically by relying on Egyptian power, would fail. Instead of finding safety, they would face the very opposite: conquest by Assyria, demonstrating the futility of trusting in human strength over divine faithfulness, as seen in [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Hosea 11:5 speaks of Israel's failure and the resulting judgment, it also implicitly points to the need for a perfect "return" that Israel could not achieve, and a true King who would not fail. Israel's refusal to "return" (repent) ultimately led to their exile, highlighting humanity's inherent inability to fully turn to God on its own. This foreshadows the ultimate "return" made possible through Christ. Jesus, the true Israel, perfectly fulfilled the obedient "return" to God that His people failed to embody. He is the one who truly "returned" from Egypt as a child ([Matthew 2:15](/matthew/2-15 "Matthew 2:15 - Jesus' Return from Egypt")), embodying the faithful Son. More profoundly, through His atoning work, He provides the means for humanity to truly "return" to God, offering repentance and forgiveness that Israel's sacrifices and political maneuvering could never secure. He becomes our King, not one who subjugates us in judgment like the Assyrian, but one who reigns in grace, delivering us from the bondage of sin and death, fulfilling the promise of a righteous King who would gather His scattered people ([Jeremiah 23:5-6](/jeremiah/23-5-6 "Jeremiah 23:5-6 - The Righteous Branch")). Thus, the failure of Israel in Hosea 11:5 underscores the necessity and glory of Christ's perfect obedience and His reign, which enables us to genuinely "return" to the Father.

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 7:16

They return, [but] not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this [shall be] their derision in the land of Egypt.

Hosea 8:13

They sacrifice flesh [for] the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat [it; but] the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.

Hosea 10:6

It shall be also carried unto Assyria [for] a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

Hosea 9:3

They shall not dwell in the LORD'S land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean [things] in Assyria.

2 Kings 17:13

Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, [and by] all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments [and] my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

2 Kings 17:14

Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.

Jeremiah 8:4

¶ Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return?