Hosea 14:5

I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

I will be as the dew {H2919} unto Israel {H3478}: he shall grow {H6524} as the lily {H7799}, and cast forth {H5221} his roots {H8328} as Lebanon {H3844}.

I will be like dew to Isra'el; he will blossom like a lily and strike roots like the L'vanon.

I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon.

I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall blossom as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

Commentary

Hosea 14:5 is a beautiful promise of divine restoration and blessing, concluding the prophetic book of Hosea with a powerful message of hope for Israel after a period of spiritual decline and impending judgment. It illustrates God's compassionate desire to heal and revive His people, transforming their barrenness into flourishing vitality.

Context

This verse appears in the final chapter of Hosea, which marks a significant shift from pronouncements of judgment to a tender call for Israel's repentance and God's subsequent gracious response. The book of Hosea primarily addresses the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) and its spiritual adultery through idolatry and political alliances. Despite their unfaithfulness, God, through the prophet Hosea, consistently expresses His enduring love and willingness to restore them. Chapter 14 begins with a plea for Israel to "return unto the LORD thy God" and confess their sins. Verse 5 is part of God's direct promise of healing and restoration following such repentance, painting a vivid picture of renewal.

Key Themes

  • Divine Restoration and Refreshing: God Himself promises to be the source of renewal. The imagery of "dew" is crucial in an arid land like Israel, where dew provides vital moisture for plants, especially during dry seasons. It signifies a gentle, pervasive, and life-sustaining blessing from God. This speaks to God's tender care and His power to bring life where there was spiritual drought, echoing the blessing of dew in other parts of scripture.
  • Vibrant Growth and Beauty: "He shall grow as the lily." The lily, known for its rapid and beautiful bloom, symbolizes the swift and visible flourishing that will characterize restored Israel. This growth is not merely survival but a return to vibrant health and aesthetic beauty, indicative of spiritual and national prosperity. This mirrors the spiritual flourishing described in Psalm 92:12.
  • Deep Strength and Stability: "And cast forth his roots as Lebanon." Lebanon is famous for its majestic cedars, renowned for their deep, extensive root systems that anchor them firmly against storms and allow them to thrive for centuries. This imagery promises Israel not just superficial growth but deep, enduring stability, strength, and permanence, rooted in God's faithfulness. This resilience is comparable to the one described in Jeremiah 17:8 for those who trust in the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "dew" is tal (ื˜ึทืœ), which often carries connotations of blessing and divine favor. The "lily" (shoshannah - ืฉืื•ึผืฉืึทื ึผึธื”) likely refers to a variety of beautiful, often brightly colored flowers that bloom quickly after receiving moisture, highlighting rapid and noticeable flourishing. "Lebanon" (ืœึฐื‘ึธื ื•ึนืŸ) evokes the powerful and enduring cedars, symbolizing strength and rootedness, which is central to the promise of lasting restoration and a testament to God's power to establish His people firmly.

Practical Application

For believers today, Hosea 14:5 offers profound encouragement. It assures us that God desires not only to forgive our shortcomings but also to actively restore and refresh us. When we turn to Him in repentance, He promises to be our life-giving "dew," enabling us to grow in grace and spiritual beauty. We can expect to be deeply rooted in His truth and love, gaining strength and stability in our faith, even amidst life's challenges. This verse is a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to bring about spiritual completion and flourishing in those who seek Him.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 35:2

    It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, [and] the excellency of our God.

  • Isaiah 27:6

    He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.

  • Ephesians 3:17

    That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

  • Psalms 72:16

    There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and [they] of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.

  • Deuteronomy 32:2

    My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

  • Matthew 6:28

    And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

  • Job 29:19

    My root [was] spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.
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