Hosea 11:8

KJV

¶ How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

KJV (with Strong's)

How shall I give thee up {H5414}, Ephraim {H669}? how shall I deliver {H4042} thee, Israel {H3478}? how shall I make {H5414} thee as Admah {H126}? how shall I set {H7760} thee as Zeboim {H6636}? mine heart {H3820} is turned {H2015} within me, my repentings {H5150} are kindled {H3648} together {H3162}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Efrayim, how can I give you up, or surrender you, Isra'el? How could I treat you like Admah or make you like Tzvoyim? My heart recoils at the idea, as compassion warms within me.

Berean Standard Bible

How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!

American Standard Version

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I cast thee off, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboiim? my heart is turned within me, my compassions are kindled together.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 11:8 captures a profound and intensely emotional moment in God's relationship with Israel, specifically the northern kingdom of Ephraim. It reveals the divine dilemma where God's righteous judgment for His people's persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness clashes with His deep, paternal love and compassion. Through a series of rhetorical questions and a vivid description of His internal anguish, God expresses His reluctance to deliver Israel to the same utter destruction meted out to wicked cities like Admah and Zeboim, ultimately revealing His mercy triumphing over deserved wrath.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 11 stands as a pivotal chapter within the prophet's message to Israel. Chapters 1-3 establish the prophetic metaphor of God's covenant relationship with Israel as a marriage, highlighting Israel's harlotry and God's persistent love. Chapters 4-10 detail Israel's spiritual decline, idolatry, political instability, and the impending judgment. Chapter 11 begins by recounting God's tender, fatherly care for Israel from their infancy, calling them out of Egypt and teaching them to walk, only for them to rebel and turn to other gods. Verse 8, therefore, serves as the emotional climax of this recounting, presenting God's internal struggle between the justice demanded by Israel's rebellion and the mercy prompted by His enduring love. It immediately precedes a declaration of judgment (Hosea 11:9-11) that is nevertheless tempered by a promise of future restoration, emphasizing the tension between divine wrath and compassion that defines the book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hosea prophesied during the tumultuous reigns of Jeroboam II and subsequent short-lived kings in the Northern Kingdom (Israel/Ephraim), roughly 750-715 BC. This was a period of superficial prosperity followed by rapid political decay and moral corruption. Israel had repeatedly violated the Mosaic Covenant, engaging in Baal worship, sacrificing to idols, and seeking alliances with Assyria and Egypt rather than trusting in Yahweh. The mention of Admah and Zeboim refers to cities in the Jordan plain, traditionally associated with Sodom and Gomorrah, which were utterly destroyed by divine judgment for their wickedness (as recounted in [Genesis 19:24-25](/genesis/19-24-25 "Genesis 19:24-25 - Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah")). This cultural reference would have immediately evoked images of complete and irreversible desolation, underscoring the severity of the judgment Israel deserved. The cultural understanding of a father's deep affection for his child also provides a powerful backdrop for God's paternal lament.
* **Key Themes:** Hosea 11:8 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Hosea and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the **Divine Dilemma**—the tension between God's justice and His mercy. While Israel's sin warrants destruction, God's deep love prevents Him from fully abandoning them. This verse also highlights **God's Unwavering Love and Faithfulness** (Hebrew: *hesed*), which persists despite Israel's persistent unfaithfulness. It underscores the **Consequences of Sin**, showing that Israel's actions have indeed brought them to the brink of utter ruin, echoing the historical judgments on other wicked nations. Finally, the verse introduces the profound concept of **Divine Compassion and Relenting**, where God's "repentings" signify a change in His disposition from punitive judgment to merciful restraint, a theme that resonates throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Exodus 32:14](/exodus/32-14 "Exodus 32:14 - The Lord Relents from Disaster") and [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents from Destroying Nineveh")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **turned (Hebrew, _hâphak'_):** This primitive root signifies a turning about or over, implying a change, overturning, or perversion. In the context of God's heart, it vividly portrays a profound internal upheaval, a churning or wrenching of emotion. It's not a change in God's character, but a dramatic shift in His immediate disposition or intended action.
* **kindled (Hebrew, _kâmar'_):** This root means to intertwine or contract, figuratively to shrivel (as with heat), and by implication, to be deeply affected with passion, love, or pity. When applied to God's "repentings," it suggests an intense, burning, or swelling of compassion, indicating a powerful, overwhelming surge of tender emotion.
* **repentings (Hebrew, _nichûwm'_):** Derived from the root *nacham*, this word refers to consolation, comfort, or abstractly, solace. When used in relation to God, it signifies a deep sorrow or regret, a change of mind, or a relenting from a threatened judgment due to profound compassion. It does not imply moral failure or a change in God's perfect character, but rather a merciful alteration in His intended course of action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"How shall I give thee up, Ephraim?":** This opening rhetorical question immediately establishes the divine dilemma. "Ephraim" represents the entire Northern Kingdom of Israel. God, speaking as a loving parent, expresses His profound reluctance and internal struggle to abandon His people to destruction, despite their deserving it. The Hebrew word for "give thee up" (_nâthan_) here carries the sense of delivering over to judgment or abandonment.
* **"[how] shall I deliver thee, Israel?":** This parallel question reiterates the first, emphasizing God's deep emotional conflict. "Israel" serves as a synonym for Ephraim, reinforcing the direct address to His covenant people. The term "deliver" (_mâgan_) here implies surrendering them to their enemies or to destruction, which God is agonizingly hesitant to do.
* **"how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim?":** These two rhetorical questions introduce a terrifying comparison. Admah and Zeboim were cities utterly destroyed alongside Sodom and Gomorrah due to their profound wickedness (Genesis 19). By asking how He could make Israel like these cities, God highlights the severity of the judgment they deserve while simultaneously expressing His immense reluctance to inflict such complete and irreversible desolation upon His beloved people. This underscores the depth of Israel's sin and the magnitude of God's mercy.
* **"mine heart is turned within me":** This phrase vividly portrays God's internal anguish and profound emotional shift. The Hebrew verb "turned" (_hâphak_) suggests a churning or wrenching of deep emotion, indicating that God is not a stoic, detached deity but one who is deeply affected by the plight of His people. His very being is in turmoil over the necessity of judgment versus the pull of His love.
* **"my repentings are kindled together.":** This climactic declaration reveals the resolution of God's internal struggle. His "repentings" (_nichûwm_) are His profound compassions or changes of mind from judgment to mercy. The verb "kindled" (_kâmar_) conveys an intense, burning, or swelling sensation, indicating an overwhelming surge of pity and tender affection. This signifies that God's mercy has triumphed over His righteous anger, leading Him to relent from the full measure of deserved judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 11:8 is rich in literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is the use of **Rhetorical Questions**, repeated four times ("How shall I...?"). These questions are not seeking information but express intense emotional struggle, dilemma, and profound reluctance on God's part. They draw the reader into God's internal anguish, making His dilemma palpable. **Parallelism** is also evident in the repetition of the "How shall I...?" structure and the pairing of "Ephraim" with "Israel," and "Admah" with "Zeboim," which enhances the poetic rhythm and reinforces the message. The verse also employs powerful **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human emotions and physical sensations (heart turning, repentings kindling) to God. This device makes God's character relatable and emphasizes His deep personal investment in His relationship with Israel. The comparison to Admah and Zeboim serves as a stark **Allusion** to past divine judgments, highlighting the severity of Israel's sin while simultaneously underscoring the extraordinary nature of God's relenting mercy. Finally, the phrase "my repentings are kindled together" uses **Metaphor** to describe the overwhelming surge of divine compassion, likening it to a fire or strong emotion that burns intensely within God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 11:8 offers a profound glimpse into the very heart of God, revealing a tension between His immutable justice and His boundless, covenantal love. It demonstrates that while God's holiness demands a response to sin, His compassion can move Him to relent from the full measure of deserved judgment. This divine "repentance" is not a change in His perfect character or a sign of indecision, but rather a manifestation of His steadfast love triumphing over wrath, a willingness to extend grace even when judgment is warranted. It underscores the biblical truth that God is "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" (Psalm 103:8), always seeking reconciliation and restoration for His people. This passage foreshadows the ultimate demonstration of God's heart for humanity, where His justice and mercy are perfectly reconciled in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

* [Psalm 103:8-14](/psalms/103-8-14 "Psalm 103:8-14 - God's Compassion and Mercy")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord's Mercies Never Cease")
* [Jonah 4:2](/jonah/4-2 "Jonah 4:2 - God is Gracious and Merciful")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 11:8 is a deeply comforting and challenging passage for believers today. It assures us of God's profound, unwavering love and compassion, even when we, like ancient Israel, fall short of His expectations or stray from His path. It reminds us that God is not eager to condemn but is deeply invested in our well-being and desires our restoration. For those struggling with guilt or feeling distant from God, this verse offers immense hope: God's heart is always "turned within Him" towards mercy for those who turn to Him. It encourages us to approach Him with confidence, knowing that His "repentings are kindled together" for us. Furthermore, it challenges us to reflect God's character in our own lives, extending mercy and compassion to others, even when they may not deserve it, mirroring the divine love that triumphs over judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Hosea 11:8 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly the tension between His justice and His mercy?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be experiencing God's "repentings" or His compassionate relenting from what you might deserve?**
* **How does knowing God's deep emotional investment in His people (as depicted in this verse) impact your prayer life and your sense of security in His love?**
* **How can you, in turn, reflect God's compassionate heart towards others, especially those who have wronged you or who seem undeserving of grace?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean for God to "repent" in this verse? Does God change His mind or make mistakes?**

Answer: When the Bible speaks of God "repenting" (Hebrew: *nacham* or *nichûwm*), it does not imply that God changes His perfect character, makes a mistake, or feels regret in the human sense of having done wrong. Instead, it signifies a change in His *action* or *disposition* toward humanity, often in response to human actions or as an expression of His profound compassion. In Hosea 11:8, God's "repentings are kindled together" means His deep pity and love have overwhelmed His righteous anger, causing Him to relent from the full measure of the judgment Israel deserved. It's a manifestation of His mercy triumphing over strict justice, demonstrating His willingness to extend grace and alter a threatened punishment, as seen in the narrative of [Nineveh's repentance](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents from Destroying Nineveh") in the book of Jonah. God's character remains constant, but His interaction with His creation is dynamic, responding to their choices with perfect wisdom and love.

**Why are Admah and Zeboim specifically mentioned as examples of destruction?**

Answer: Admah and Zeboim were cities located in the Jordan plain, traditionally associated with Sodom and Gomorrah. They were utterly destroyed by God due to their extreme wickedness, as recorded in [Genesis 19:24-25](/genesis/19-24-25 "Genesis 19:24-25 - Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"). By mentioning these cities, God uses a powerful historical and cultural reference to illustrate the severity of the judgment Israel deserved for their persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. The comparison highlights that Israel's sin was so grievous that it warranted a similar, complete annihilation. The rhetorical question, "How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim?" underscores God's profound reluctance to inflict such a devastating judgment on His beloved people, despite their deserving it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 11:8, with its poignant portrayal of God's internal struggle between justice and mercy, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The divine dilemma—how God could justly punish sin while still extending love and salvation—is perfectly resolved at the cross. God's heart was "turned within Him" not to spare Israel from all judgment, but to provide a way for their ultimate redemption. The "kindled repentings" of God's compassion found their fullest expression when God, in Christ, took upon Himself the very judgment that humanity deserved. The destruction threatened upon Israel, akin to Admah and Zeboim, was absorbed by the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). On the cross, divine justice was fully satisfied, and divine mercy was fully poured out. Through Christ's sacrifice, God can now be both "just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" ([Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God is Just and Justifies")). Thus, Hosea's lament foreshadows the incredible love of God, who "did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all" ([Romans 8:32](/romans/8-32 "Romans 8:32 - God Gave Up His Son for Us All")), ensuring that His people would not be given up to eternal destruction but would find everlasting life and reconciliation through the New Covenant established in Christ's blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in My Blood")).

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

Jeremiah 31:20

[Is] Ephraim my dear son? [is he] a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

Hosea 6:4

¶ O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness [is] as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.

Matthew 23:37

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!

Deuteronomy 32:36

For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that [their] power is gone, and [there is] none shut up, or left.

Deuteronomy 29:23

[And that] the whole land thereof [is] brimstone, and salt, [and] burning, [that] it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

Genesis 14:8

And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same [is] Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;

Genesis 19:24

¶ Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;