Hosea 13:14

I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

I will ransom {H6299} them from the power {H3027} of the grave {H7585}; I will redeem {H1350} them from death {H4194}: O death {H4194}, I will {H165} be thy plagues {H1698}; O grave {H7585}, I will {H165} be thy destruction {H6987}: repentance {H5164} shall be hid {H5641} from mine eyes {H5869}.

Should I ransom them from the power of Sh'ol? Should I redeem them from death?

I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from Death. Where, O Death, are your plagues? Where, O Sheol, is your sting? Compassion is hidden from My eyes.

I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from death: O death, where are thy plagues? O Sheol, where is thy destruction? repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

Commentary

Commentary on Hosea 13:14 (KJV)

Hosea 13:14 is a profound and intensely hopeful declaration from God, appearing amidst a chapter primarily focused on Israel's severe judgment for their idolatry and rebellion. This verse stands out as a powerful promise of divine intervention, redemption, and ultimate victory over death itself.

Context

The Book of Hosea chronicles God's unwavering love for unfaithful Israel, depicted through the prophet's own difficult marriage to an unfaithful wife. Chapter 13 specifically details God's judgment against Ephraim (representing the northern kingdom of Israel) for their persistent sin, particularly their reliance on idols and rejection of Him. Verses preceding 13:14 speak of their imminent destruction and desolation, portraying God as a roaring lion or a devouring beast. However, in a sudden shift, verse 14 offers a glimpse of future restoration and hope, underscoring God's character as both righteous judge and merciful Redeemer. It's a prophetic vision extending beyond immediate judgment to a final triumph.

Key Themes

  • Divine Ransom and Redemption: God explicitly states, "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death." The terms "ransom" and "redeem" imply a costly act of liberation, a powerful intervention to reclaim what was lost or enslaved. This speaks to God's active role in saving His people from the ultimate enemyโ€”death.
  • Victory Over Death and the Grave: The dramatic personification of Death and the Grave as defeated foes ("O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction") highlights God's absolute sovereignty. This is not merely a rescue *from* death, but a promise to utterly conquer and abolish its power. This powerful declaration finds its ultimate fulfillment and interpretation in the New Testament, notably quoted by the Apostle Paul in his triumphant discourse on the resurrection.
  • God's Unchanging Purpose: The concluding phrase, "repentance shall be hid from mine eyes," signifies God's steadfastness and the irrevocable nature of His promise. Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God's ultimate plan for redemption and victory over death remains firm; He will not change His mind regarding this ultimate act of deliverance.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "grave" is Sheol, which refers to the realm of the dead, the underworld, or the common abode of departed spirits. God's promise is to deliver from the very dominion of death.
  • "Plagues" (Hebrew: debharim, though some texts use debarim meaning "words" but in this context understood as destructive words or forces) and "destruction" (Hebrew: qeแนญeb) are strong terms indicating a decisive and overwhelming defeat. This is not a mere reprieve but a complete vanquishing of death's authority.

Related Scriptures

This verse is one of the Old Testament's clearest prophecies of resurrection and the ultimate defeat of death. It echoes similar prophetic hopes found in passages like Isaiah 25:8, where God promises to swallow up death in victory. Ultimately, this promise is realized in Jesus Christ, who declared Himself to be the resurrection and the life. His death and resurrection are the means by which God executed this ransom and redemption, breaking the power of sin and death. This verse foreshadows the glorious future where, as described in Revelation 21:4, there will be no more death.

Practical Application

Hosea 13:14 offers immense comfort and assurance to believers today. It reminds us that:

  1. God is the Ultimate Deliverer: No power, not even death, can ultimately thwart His redemptive plan for His people.
  2. Hope Beyond the Grave: For those who trust in God, there is a certain hope of resurrection and eternal life through Christ, who conquered death.
  3. God's Faithfulness Endures: Despite our failings, God's promises are firm and His commitment to His covenant is unwavering. His "repentance shall be hid" means His salvation plan is secure.

This verse transforms a message of judgment into a profound declaration of God's sovereign power and His ultimate victory over humanity's greatest enemy, providing a foundation for Christian hope in the face of mortality.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 25:8

    He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken [it].

  • Revelation 21:4

    And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

  • James 1:17

    Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

  • Isaiah 26:19

    Thy dead [men] shall live, [together with] my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew [is as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:52

    In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:57

    But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Psalms 49:15

    ยถ But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.