Hosea 2:18

KJV

And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and [with] the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.

KJV (with Strong's)

And in that day {H3117} will I make {H3772} a covenant {H1285} for them with the beasts {H2416} of the field {H7704}, and with the fowls {H5775} of heaven {H8064}, and with the creeping things {H7431} of the ground {H127}: and I will break {H7665} the bow {H7198} and the sword {H2719} and the battle {H4421} out of the earth {H776}, and will make them to lie down {H7901} safely {H983}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When that day comes, I will make a covenant for them with the wild animals, the birds in the air and the creeping things of the earth. I will break bow and sword, sweep battle from the land, and make them lie down securely.

Berean Standard Bible

On that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the creatures that crawl on the ground. And I will abolish bow and sword and weapons of war in the land, and will make them lie down in safety.

American Standard Version

And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the birds of the heavens, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the land, and will make them to lie down safely.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 2:18 presents a profound prophetic vision of future restoration for Israel, detailing a time when God will establish a comprehensive covenant of peace. This divine initiative will extend beyond humanity to encompass the entire natural world, bringing harmony between people and creation. Crucially, it promises the complete cessation of warfare and conflict, rendering instruments of destruction obsolete, and ensuring that God's people will dwell in absolute security and safety, reversing the consequences of their unfaithfulness and ushering in an era of profound tranquility.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 2:18 is nestled within a powerful section (Hosea 2:14-23) that pivots from God's severe judgment against Israel's idolatry and unfaithfulness (Hosea 2:1-13) to a tender promise of restoration and renewed covenant. The preceding verses (Hosea 2:14-17) describe God's intention to "allure" His wayward people back to Himself, leading them into a "wilderness" experience reminiscent of the Exodus, where He will speak comfort to them and restore their initial devotion. This verse, therefore, marks a significant turning point, detailing the specific blessings and conditions of this restored relationship, particularly the cessation of external threats and the establishment of universal peace. The subsequent verses (Hosea 2:19-20) further elaborate on the nature of this renewed covenant, emphasizing righteousness, justice, steadfast love, and mercy, culminating in the promise of fertility and divine favor (Hosea 2:21-23).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Hosea ministered to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during a period of severe political instability and rampant spiritual apostasy, particularly the widespread worship of Baal. This idolatry was often intertwined with agricultural fertility cults, mirroring Israel's unfaithfulness to Yahweh as spiritual adultery. In this context, threats from wild animals were a real danger, and warfare was a constant reality, both from internal strife and external empires like Assyria. Covenants (`berith`) were foundational to ancient Near Eastern societies, signifying binding agreements, often sealed with solemn oaths and rituals, sometimes involving the cutting of animals. God's promise to make a covenant with the animals and break instruments of war would have resonated deeply with a people whose lives were directly impacted by these dangers, offering a radical vision of peace far exceeding any human capacity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes in Hosea and the broader prophetic literature. It highlights **Divine Restoration**, showcasing God's unwavering commitment to redeem His people despite their unfaithfulness, transforming judgment into a path toward renewal. The theme of **Covenant Faithfulness** is central, as God re-establishes His relationship with Israel, moving from their broken covenant to a new, unbreakable one. The imagery of peace with creation and the cessation of war introduces the theme of **Eschatological Peace (Shalom)**, pointing to a future, ideal state where God's perfect order is fully realized, echoing the harmony of [the creation account](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") and foreshadowing the universal peace envisioned in passages like [Isaiah 11:6-9](/isaiah/11-6-9 "Isaiah 11:6-9 - The Peaceable Kingdom"). Furthermore, it underscores God's **Sovereignty over Creation and Conflict**, demonstrating His power to bring about a radical transformation of both the natural and human spheres.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** (H1285) From a root meaning "to cut," signifying a compact or binding agreement, often made by passing between pieces of flesh. Here, it emphasizes the solemn, unbreakable nature of God's promise to establish a new order of peace, extending even to the animal kingdom, highlighting its divine origin and certainty.
* **break (Hebrew, _shâbar'_):** (H7665) A primitive root meaning "to burst, crush, destroy, or tear." This word conveys a decisive and absolute action. When applied to "bow," "sword," and "battle," it signifies not merely a temporary cessation but a complete and permanent dismantling of the instruments and very concept of warfare, indicating God's total eradication of conflict.
* **safely (Hebrew, _beṭach'_):** (H983) Properly, a place of refuge; abstractly, safety, security, and trust. This adverbial usage emphasizes a state of profound peace and freedom from fear. To "lie down safely" implies complete repose, vulnerability without threat, and absolute confidence in divine protection, a stark contrast to the instability and danger previously experienced by Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in that day will I make a covenant for them":** This phrase signals a future, divinely initiated event of profound significance. "That day" is a common prophetic idiom for a time of God's decisive intervention, often involving both judgment and ultimate salvation. Here, it points to God's active role in establishing a new, binding agreement for His people, driven by His grace.
* **"with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and [with] the creeping things of the ground":** This clause expands the scope of God's peace beyond human relationships to encompass all of creation. It reverses the curse of enmity between humanity and animals (cf. [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - Enmity Between Seed of Woman and Serpent")), harkening back to an Edenic harmony where fear and danger from the animal kingdom are abolished. It signifies a holistic restoration of creation under God's benevolent rule.
* **"and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth":** This powerful imagery depicts the complete and utter eradication of all instruments and forms of warfare. The "bow" and "sword" represent offensive and defensive weapons, while "battle" encapsulates the entire concept of conflict. God's act of "breaking" them signifies their permanent removal and uselessness, promising an era of absolute peace where violence is no more.
* **"and will make them to lie down safely":** This concluding phrase encapsulates the ultimate outcome of God's covenant and the cessation of conflict. "To lie down" implies rest, security, and freedom from anxiety. "Safely" underscores a state of profound peace and trust, where God's people can dwell without fear of external threats or internal turmoil, enjoying undisturbed tranquility under divine protection.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 2:18 employs several potent literary devices to convey its transformative message. **Imagery** is central, with vivid pictures of "beasts of the field," "fowls of heaven," and "creeping things of the ground" creating a comprehensive scope of the natural world, contrasted with the destructive "bow," "sword," and "battle." The act of "breaking" these instruments of war is a powerful **Metaphor** for the complete cessation of conflict, rendering them useless. The comprehensive list of animals and weapons, combined with the promise of universal peace, borders on **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the radical and total nature of God's intended restoration. The phrase "in that day" is a classic example of **Prophetic Language**, signaling a divinely appointed future time. The structure also exhibits an implicit **Parallelism** between the reconciliation with creation and the cessation of human conflict, both leading to the ultimate state of "lying down safely," underscoring the holistic nature of God's peace (shalom).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 2:18 offers a profound theological statement about God's ultimate plan for cosmic reconciliation and peace. It reveals a God who is not only just in judgment but also boundless in His restorative love, actively working to reverse the consequences of sin and brokenness. The promise of a covenant with creation echoes the Noahic covenant (cf. [Genesis 9:9-10](/genesis/9-9-10 "Genesis 9:9-10 - God's Covenant with Noah and All Living Creatures")), but here, it suggests a deeper, more intimate harmony, reminiscent of Eden before the Fall. The cessation of war points to an eschatological vision of *shalom*, where all forms of strife, both natural and human, are abolished by divine decree. This verse underscores the biblical hope for a future where God's reign brings complete security, justice, and harmony to all of creation, fulfilling His original purposes.

* [Isaiah 11:6-9](/isaiah/11-6-9 "Isaiah 11:6-9 - The Peaceable Kingdom")
* [Micah 4:3-4](/micah/4-3-4 "Micah 4:3-4 - Swords into Plowshares")
* [Romans 8:19-21](/romans/8-19-21 "Romans 8:19-21 - Creation Groans for Redemption")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 2:18 serves as a powerful beacon of hope, reminding us that God's ultimate plan is for peace, reconciliation, and security, not just for humanity but for all creation. In a world still marred by conflict, environmental degradation, and fear, this prophecy encourages us to fix our gaze on God's unwavering promise of a future where His perfect *shalom* will prevail. It calls us to trust in His sovereignty even amidst present chaos, knowing that He is actively working towards this glorious end. While the full realization of this peace is eschatological, this verse also motivates us to live as agents of peace and reconciliation in our own spheres of influence, reflecting God's character and contributing to the breaking of cycles of conflict and injustice. It inspires us to care for creation, to advocate for justice, and to pursue harmony in our relationships, anticipating the day when all will "lie down safely" under God's perfect reign.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise of peace with creation challenge my current understanding of humanity's relationship with the natural world?**
* **What are the "bows and swords" in my own life or community that God might be calling me to help "break" for the sake of peace?**
* **How does the assurance of "lying down safely" impact my trust in God amidst personal anxieties or global uncertainties?**

### FAQ
**What does the phrase "in that day" signify in prophetic literature?**

Answer: "In that day" (Hebrew: *ba-yom ha-hu*) is a common prophetic idiom used throughout the Old Testament to refer to a future, divinely appointed time of significant intervention. It does not necessarily denote a literal 24-hour period but rather a specific era or decisive moment in God's redemptive plan. While it can sometimes refer to a day of judgment, as seen in parts of Hosea, it often points to a time of ultimate salvation, restoration, and the establishment of God's righteous kingdom, as it clearly does in [Hosea 2:18](/hosea/2-18 "Hosea 2:18 - God's Covenant of Peace").

**How does this verse relate to the "curse" on creation found in Genesis?**

Answer: This verse directly addresses and reverses aspects of the curse pronounced in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Humanity"). After the Fall, enmity was introduced between humanity and the natural world, leading to thorns, thistles, and a struggle for survival. Hosea 2:18's promise of a covenant with the "beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground" signifies a return to an Edenic state of harmony and peace, where the fear and danger from wild animals are removed. It points to a comprehensive restoration of creation, where the broken relationship between humanity and nature is healed, foreshadowing the new heavens and new earth where all things are made new (cf. [Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - New Heaven and New Earth")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 2:18, with its radical vision of peace between humanity and creation and the cessation of all warfare, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the true "Prince of Peace" (cf. [Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace")), whose atoning work on the cross breaks the power of sin, which is the root cause of all discord, violence, and brokenness in the world. Through His blood, Christ not only reconciles humanity to God but also initiates the reconciliation of all things, whether on earth or in heaven (cf. [Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). He is our peace, having broken down the dividing wall of hostility between estranged groups of people (cf. [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")), foreshadowing the day when all human conflict will cease. The "new covenant" promised in the Old Testament, which includes this comprehensive peace, is inaugurated in Christ's blood (cf. [Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in His Blood")), establishing a spiritual peace that believers now experience. Ultimately, the full realization of "lying down safely" and the complete harmony with creation awaits Christ's second coming and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, where the new heavens and new earth will fully embody the Edenic peace and security envisioned in Hosea's prophecy (cf. [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heavens and New Earth")).

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

Ezekiel 34:25

And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.

Ezekiel 39:9

And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years:

Ezekiel 39:10

So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down [any] out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.

Isaiah 11:6

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

Isaiah 11:9

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Jeremiah 23:6

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Isaiah 2:4

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.