Hosea 13:15

Though he be fruitful among [his] brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.

Though he be fruitful {H6500} among his brethren {H251}, an east wind {H6921} shall come {H935}, the wind {H7307} of the LORD {H3068} shall come up {H5927} from the wilderness {H4057}, and his spring {H4726} shall become dry {H954}, and his fountain {H4599} shall be dried up {H2717}: he shall spoil {H8154} the treasure {H214} of all pleasant {H2532} vessels {H3627}.

Where are your plagues, death; where is your destruction, Sh'ol? My eyes are closed to compassion. For though he flourishes among the reeds, an east wind will come, a wind from ADONAI, blowing up from the desert. Then his water source will dry up, then his spring will fail it will plunder his treasury, removing every precious thing."

Although he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come— a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert. His fountain will fail, and his spring will run dry. The wind will plunder his treasury of every precious article.

Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the breath of Jehovah coming up from the wilderness; and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall make spoil of the treasure of all goodly vessels.

Hosea 13:15 delivers a stark prophecy of divine judgment against Ephraim, a prominent tribe representing the northern kingdom of Israel. Despite their past prosperity and "fruitfulness," the verse warns of impending desolation and destruction due to their persistent unfaithfulness to God.

Context

This verse is situated within Hosea's final warnings of judgment against Israel, particularly in chapter 13, which details the nation's spiritual decline and the inevitable consequences. Israel, often referred to as Ephraim, had forgotten the Lord who redeemed them from Egypt, turning instead to idolatry and self-reliance (Hosea 13:4-6). The preceding verses in this chapter describe God's fierce anger, portraying Him as a lion or bear ready to devour, emphasizing that their destruction was self-inflicted because they had forsaken their true King (Hosea 13:9).

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse clearly articulates God's active role in bringing about the downfall of Israel. The "wind of the LORD" signifies that this calamity is not mere misfortune but a direct consequence of divine decree.
  • Consequences of Unfaithfulness: Israel's prosperity and strength, symbolized by their "fruitfulness" and "springs," are shown to be vulnerable and ultimately fleeting when dissociated from obedience to God. Their idolatry led to their spiritual and physical ruin.
  • Desolation and Plunder: The drying up of "spring" and "fountain" is a vivid metaphor for the complete loss of life-giving resources, sustenance, and prosperity. The "spoiling of treasure" highlights the total devastation and plundering by an invading force, stripping them of all valuable possessions.

Linguistic Insights

The term "east wind" (Hebrew: ruach qadim) is highly significant. In biblical literature, the east wind is consistently portrayed as a destructive, scorching force, typically bringing drought, blight, or a devastating invading army. It is not a gentle breeze but a harsh, desiccating wind from the desert, symbolizing divine judgment and desolation. For example, it brought the locusts in Exodus 10:13 and dried up the Red Sea in Exodus 14:21. Its association with the "wind of the LORD" underscores its divine origin and unstoppable power.

Practical Application

Hosea 13:15 serves as a timeless warning about the dangers of spiritual complacency and the consequences of forgetting God in times of prosperity. It reminds us that:

  • Blessings are Conditional: Our resources, talents, and prosperity are gifts from God, and true security lies in our faithfulness to Him, not in the gifts themselves.
  • God's Justice is Real: While God is merciful, He is also just. Persistent rebellion and idolatry, whether of physical idols or modern-day pursuits that displace God, will eventually lead to spiritual barrenness and loss.
  • Beware of Pride: Ephraim's downfall came partly from their pride in their fruitfulness. This verse encourages humility and a constant reliance on the Lord for all things, understanding that He is the true source of life and sustenance, as seen in John 15:5.

Ultimately, this passage calls believers to examine their own hearts, ensuring that their trust and devotion remain solely in the Lord, lest their "springs" of spiritual vitality dry up.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 19:12

    But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered; the fire consumed them.

  • Ezekiel 17:10

    Yea, behold, [being] planted, shall it prosper? shall it not utterly wither, when the east wind toucheth it? it shall wither in the furrows where it grew.

  • Jeremiah 4:11

    At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,

  • Genesis 49:22

    ¶ Joseph [is] a fruitful bough, [even] a fruitful bough by a well; [whose] branches run over the wall:

  • Genesis 41:52

    And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

  • Hosea 4:19

    The wind hath bound her up in her wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.

  • Isaiah 17:13

    The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but [God] shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

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