Hosea 13:3

KJV

Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff [that] is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore they shall be as the morning {H1242} cloud {H6051}, and as the early {H7925} dew {H2919} that passeth away {H1980}, as the chaff {H4671} that is driven with the whirlwind {H5590} out of the floor {H1637}, and as the smoke {H6227} out of the chimney {H699}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore they will be like a morning cloud, like the dew that disappears early, like chaff blown by wind from the threshing-floor, or like smoke that goes out the window.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore they will be like the morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes, like chaff blown from a threshing floor, like smoke through an open window.

American Standard Version

Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the dew that passeth early away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the threshing-floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 13:3 delivers a stark prophetic declaration of God's impending judgment upon unfaithful Israel, vividly portraying their swift and complete demise through a series of powerful, transient natural metaphors. The verse underscores the ephemeral nature of any strength, security, or prosperity not firmly rooted in God's covenant, emphasizing that their rebellion will lead to their utter dissipation, leaving no lasting trace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 13 stands as a climactic chapter in the prophet's message of judgment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim), following a protracted narrative of God's steadfast love and Israel's persistent idolatry and apostasy. The "Therefore" at the beginning of [Hosea 13:3](/hosea/13-3 "Hosea 13:3 - The Consequences of Unfaithfulness") directly links this pronouncement of judgment to Israel's prior sins, particularly their ingratitude and pride, as highlighted in [Hosea 13:1-2](/hosea/13-1-2 "Hosea 13:1-2 - Ephraim's Rise and Fall through Idolatry"). Having recounted God's past care and Israel's subsequent rebellion, the prophet now details the inevitable consequences, setting the stage for the ultimate call to repentance and restoration in [Hosea 14](/hosea/14 "Hosea 14 - A Call to Repentance and Promise of Restoration"). This verse serves as a chilling summary of the nation's spiritual and physical dissolution.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Hosea is primarily directed at the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the tumultuous 8th century BC, a period marked by political instability, assassinations of kings, and a profound spiritual decline. Ephraim, as the dominant tribe, had embraced the idolatrous worship of Baal and the golden calves established by Jeroboam I ([1_kings/12-28-30](/1_kings/12-28-30 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves")). Culturally, the imagery employed in [Hosea 13:3](/hosea/13-3 "Hosea 13:3 - The Consequences of Unfaithfulness") would have been immediately understandable to an agrarian society. Morning clouds and early dew quickly vanish under the intense Middle Eastern sun. Threshing floors were common sights, where grain was separated from worthless chaff by the wind. Chimneys, though perhaps simple apertures, would release smoke that rapidly dispersed. These common phenomena served as powerful, relatable metaphors for the swift and complete disappearance of Israel's national identity, power, and population in the face of the impending Assyrian invasion and exile.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Hosea and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the **transience of human strength and worldly security** when divorced from divine faithfulness, illustrating how quickly material prosperity and national stability can dissipate, much like the [fleeting goodness of Ephraim](/hosea/6-4 "Hosea 6:4 - Ephraim's Fleeting Goodness"). It serves as a stark warning of **divine judgment and the inevitable consequences of apostasy**, demonstrating God's righteous response to persistent rebellion and idolatry. The imagery vividly portrays the **futility of idolatry**, showing that reliance on false gods or human alliances ultimately leads to utter destruction and dispersion, rather than the promised stability. Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **loss and dispersion**, where the nation's identity is not merely diminished but violently scattered and annihilated, akin to the [wicked being driven away like chaff](/psalms/1-4 "Psalm 1:4 - The Wicked are Like Chaff").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cloud (Hebrew, _ʻânân'_):** From a root meaning "to cover," this word refers to a cloud as covering the sky, specifically a nimbus or thunder-cloud. In [Hosea 13:3](/hosea/13-3 "Hosea 13:3 - The Consequences of Unfaithfulness"), it emphasizes the temporary, insubstantial nature of Israel's existence, easily dispersed and leaving no trace, much like a cloud vanishes from the sky.
* **passeth away (Hebrew, _hâlak'_):** A primitive root meaning "to walk," but with a wide range of applications, including "to go," "to depart," or "to pass away." Here, it highlights the swift and complete disappearance of the dew, reinforcing the theme of transience and the inability of Israel to endure in their unfaithful state.
* **chaff (Hebrew, _môts'_):** This term refers to the worthless husks separated from the grain during threshing, which are then winnowed or driven away by the wind. In this context, it powerfully symbolizes the wicked or those without substance, indicating that Israel, due to its spiritual emptiness, will be violently removed and scattered, utterly devoid of value or stability.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness, linking it to the preceding verses. The "morning cloud" is a common phenomenon in the ancient Near East, appearing briefly at dawn but quickly dissipating with the rising sun. It symbolizes the swift, complete, and insubstantial nature of Israel's existence and prosperity, which will vanish without a trace.
* **"and as the early dew that passeth away,"**: This second simile reinforces the theme of transience. Early dew, while refreshing, is even more ephemeral than the morning cloud, evaporating quickly as the day warms. This imagery emphasizes the utter lack of permanence in Israel's strength and blessing, which will disappear just as rapidly and completely.
* **"as the chaff [that] is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor,"**: This shifts the imagery to the threshing floor, a place of separation and judgment. Chaff is the worthless byproduct of grain, easily carried away by the wind. The "whirlwind" indicates a violent, irresistible force, signifying God's powerful judgment that will utterly scatter and remove Israel, leaving nothing of value behind. This speaks to their national dispersion and the loss of their identity.
* **"and as the smoke out of the chimney."**: The final simile continues the theme of complete disappearance. Smoke, rising from a chimney, is insubstantial and quickly disperses into the air, leaving no lasting form or presence. This image underscores the finality and thoroughness of Israel's destruction and scattering, suggesting that their memory and presence will be utterly consumed and vanish.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 13:3 is rich in **Simile**, employing four distinct comparisons introduced by "as" to vividly illustrate the ephemeral nature of Israel's existence and the swiftness of God's judgment. Each comparison—morning cloud, early dew, driven chaff, and chimney smoke—serves as a powerful **Symbolism** for transience, worthlessness, and complete disappearance. The cumulative effect of these images creates intense **Imagery**, appealing to the reader's visual and sensory understanding of rapid dissolution. The repetitive structure of the similes also creates a form of **Parallelism**, reinforcing the central message through a series of analogous expressions. This rhetorical strategy emphasizes the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the impending judgment, leaving no doubt as to the fate of an unfaithful nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 13:3 profoundly illustrates the theological principle that anything built on a foundation other than God's truth and covenant faithfulness is inherently temporary and destined to fail. It serves as a stark reminder of divine sovereignty and the immutable consequences of rebellion against a holy God. Israel's fleeting nature, depicted through these natural elements, stands in sharp contrast to the enduring, eternal nature of Yahweh. Their pursuit of idolatry and reliance on human strength led them to build on sand, rather than the rock of God's steadfast love and promises. This passage underscores that true security and lasting prosperity are found only in a faithful relationship with the unchanging Creator, who alone grants substance and permanence.

* [Hosea 6:4](/hosea/6-4 "Hosea 6:4 - Ephraim's Fleeting Goodness"): "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."
* [James 4:14](/james/4-14 "James 4:14 - Life as a Vapor"): "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
* [Psalm 1:4](/psalms/1-4 "Psalm 1:4 - The Wicked are Like Chaff"): "The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 13:3 challenges us to profoundly examine the foundations upon which we build our lives, our hopes, and our sense of security. In a world that often prioritizes fleeting achievements, material wealth, or human approval, this verse serves as a sobering prophetic warning: anything not rooted in God's eternal truth and unwavering faithfulness is ultimately as insubstantial and transient as the morning cloud or the driven chaff. It calls us away from spiritual complacency and any form of idolatry—whether overt worship of false gods or subtle reliance on self-sufficiency—that can cause our spiritual vitality and earthly stability to vanish. True and lasting stability, meaning, and security are found only in an abiding, obedient relationship with the unchanging God, whose kingdom is eternal and whose promises never fade.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "clouds" or "dew" in my life—things I rely on for security or identity—are actually fleeting and destined to pass away?**
* **In what ways might I be building my life on "chaff" rather than on the enduring truth of God's Word?**
* **How does the imagery of swift disappearance challenge my perspective on worldly success, possessions, or even my own strength?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my hope and security are firmly rooted in God, rather than in transient things?**

### FAQ
**Why does God use such harsh and destructive imagery to describe Israel's fate?**

Answer: The imagery in [Hosea 13:3](/hosea/13-3 "Hosea 13:3 - The Consequences of Unfaithfulness") is intentionally stark to convey the absolute certainty and thoroughness of God's judgment against Israel's persistent unfaithfulness and idolatry. It reflects the severity of their sin, which was a breach of their covenant relationship with God. The metaphors of vanishing elements (cloud, dew, smoke) and violent dispersion (chaff by whirlwind) are not merely descriptive; they are punitive. They underscore the futility of relying on anything other than God and serve as a powerful warning that rebellion against the Creator leads to utter dissolution and loss of identity. This imagery also highlights God's justice, demonstrating that He is not indifferent to sin but will act decisively to uphold His holiness and covenant.

**What is the significance of "chaff" as a symbol in the Bible?**

Answer: In biblical literature, "chaff" (Hebrew _môts'_) is a potent symbol primarily representing the wicked, the worthless, the insubstantial, and those destined for judgment. It is the light, useless part of the grain that is separated from the valuable kernel during threshing and then easily blown away by the wind. This imagery is used throughout Scripture to contrast the righteous, who are like firmly rooted trees ([Psalm 1:3](/psalms/1-3 "Psalm 1:3 - The Righteous are Like Trees")), with the wicked, who lack substance and will be scattered and destroyed by divine judgment ([Psalm 1:4](/psalms/1-4 "Psalm 1:4 - The Wicked are Like Chaff"); [Isaiah 17:13](/isaiah/17-13 "Isaiah 17:13 - Nations Like Driven Chaff")). John the Baptist also employs this imagery when speaking of the coming Messiah, who will "gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" ([Matthew 3:12](/matthew/3-12 "Matthew 3:12 - John the Baptist's Prophecy of Judgment")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Hosea 13:3](/hosea/13-3 "Hosea 13:3 - The Consequences of Unfaithfulness") paints a grim picture of Israel's fleeting existence due to their unfaithfulness, it implicitly points to the ultimate permanence and stability found in Christ. Israel's failure to maintain their covenant relationship led to their dispersal, but in Jesus, God establishes a new and eternal covenant, one not dependent on human faithfulness but on His own perfect sacrifice. Where Israel was like the vanishing cloud and dew, Christ is the [unchanging Son, the radiance of God's glory](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory"), whose kingdom is eternal and whose word will never pass away ([Matthew 24:35](/matthew/24-35 "Matthew 24:35 - Heaven and Earth Will Pass Away, But My Words Will Not")). He is the [solid rock upon which we can build our lives](/matthew/7-24-27 "Matthew 7:24-27 - Building on the Rock"), providing an unshakeable foundation that contrasts sharply with the "chaff" of human effort and idolatry. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus absorbed the judgment symbolized by the whirlwind and smoke, offering a way for humanity to escape the ultimate dissolution of sin and death, and instead, to find eternal life and security in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). He is the true and enduring reality, fulfilling the longing for permanence that Israel, in its fleetingness, could never attain.

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 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.

Psalms 1:4

¶ The ungodly [are] not so: but [are] like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Psalms 68:2

As smoke is driven away, [so] drive [them] away: as wax melteth before the fire, [so] let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

Daniel 2:35

Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

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.

Isaiah 41:15

Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat [them] small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

Isaiah 41:16

Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, [and] shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.