Hosea 7:13

KJV

Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Woe {H188} unto them! for they have fled {H5074} from me: destruction {H7701} unto them! because they have transgressed {H6586} against me: though I have redeemed {H6299} them, yet they have spoken {H1696} lies {H3577} against me.

Complete Jewish Bible

Woe to them! for they have strayed from me. Destruction to them! for they have wronged me. Am I supposed to redeem them, when they have spoken lies against me?

Berean Standard Bible

Woe to them, for they have strayed from Me! Destruction to them, for they have rebelled against Me! Though I would redeem them, they speak lies against Me.

American Standard Version

Woe unto them! for they have wandered from me; destruction unto them! for they have trespassed against me: though I would redeem them, yet they have spoken lies against me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 7:13 is a poignant prophetic lament and pronouncement of judgment from God against the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim). It starkly contrasts God's consistent redemptive acts and covenant faithfulness with Israel's persistent rebellion, deceit, and flight from His presence, culminating in a declaration of woe and impending destruction for their profound unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 7 is part of a larger section (chapters 7-10) that meticulously details Israel's spiritual and moral decay, highlighting their internal political instability, reliance on foreign alliances, and pervasive idolatry. Immediately preceding [Hosea 7:13](/hosea/7-13 "Hosea 7:13 - Israel's Unfaithfulness"), verses 8-12 describe Israel's folly in mixing with other nations (like a half-baked cake) and their refusal to return to the Lord despite being consumed by strangers. They are likened to a dove, easily deceived and calling out to Egypt and Assyria for help instead of God. This verse, therefore, serves as a divine lament and a direct indictment, summarizing the essence of their apostasy and the inevitable consequences of their self-destructive choices, setting the stage for further pronouncements of judgment in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Hosea prophesied during the tumultuous final decades of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, roughly from the reign of Jeroboam II to the fall of Samaria in 722 BCE. This period was marked by political assassinations, shifting alliances with powerful empires like Assyria and Egypt, and a deep spiritual syncretism where the worship of Yahweh was blended with Canaanite Baal worship. The people had forgotten their covenant history, including God's mighty acts of deliverance, and instead pursued economic prosperity and political security through means contrary to God's law. The "fleeing from me" and "speaking lies against me" reflect their turning to idols and foreign powers, violating the exclusive covenant relationship established at Sinai.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes found throughout the book of Hosea. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Warning**, as God's "Woe" and "destruction" are direct consequences of Israel's actions, emphasizing the gravity of their sin. Secondly, the verse highlights **Israel's Rebellion and Apostasy**, portraying their actions as a deliberate "fleeing" and "transgressing" against the covenant Lord, rather than mere error. This rebellion is a central motif, as seen in passages like [Hosea 4:1-2](/hosea/4-1-2 "Hosea 4:1-2 - Israel's Moral Corruption") which lists their widespread moral corruption. Thirdly, it starkly contrasts Israel's unfaithfulness with **God's Unrequited Redemption and Steadfast Love**, expressed in the poignant phrase "though I have redeemed them," echoing the foundational act of the [Exodus deliverance](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus"). Finally, the theme of **Deceit and Falsehood** is prominent, as Israel's "speaking lies" against God encompasses their idolatry, broken covenant promises, and reliance on false gods, effectively denying God's truth and character, a theme also explored in [Hosea 10:4](/hosea/10-4 "Hosea 10:4 - False Oaths and Injustice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Hebrew, _ʼôwy'_):** This interjection (H188) is a cry of lamentation, grief, or a pronouncement of impending doom. It signifies a deep sorrow on the part of the speaker, coupled with a declaration of severe consequences for the recipient. In this context, it conveys God's profound anguish over Israel's spiritual state and the inevitable judgment that awaits them due to their actions.
* **transgressed (Hebrew, _pâshaʻ'_):** From the root H6586, this verb means to break away from just authority, to trespass, apostatize, or rebel. It implies a deliberate and defiant act of breaking a covenant or a moral boundary, not merely an accidental misstep. Israel's sin is presented not as ignorance but as a willful rebellion against the God who had a covenant relationship with them.
* **lies (Hebrew, _kâzâb'_):** Derived from H3577, this noun refers to falsehood, untruth, or deceit. It can literally mean a lie, or figuratively refer to an idol, as idols are "false" gods. In Hosea 7:13, it encompasses Israel's idolatry, their broken promises, their insincere worship, and their reliance on foreign powers instead of God, all of which constitute a betrayal of truth and a denial of God's true nature.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Woe unto them! for they have fled from me:"** This opening exclamation sets a somber and severe tone. "Woe" (H188, _ʼôwy_) is a lamentation, expressing God's sorrow and the impending judgment. The phrase "fled from me" (H5074, _nâdad_) signifies Israel's deliberate turning away and abandonment of their covenant relationship with God. This is not a passive drifting but an active, willful departure from the one who is their true refuge and source of life.
* **"destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me:"** The pronouncement of "destruction" (H7701, _shôd_) reiterates the severe consequences of their actions, emphasizing ruin and desolation. The reason for this destruction is explicitly stated: "because they have transgressed against me." "Transgressed" (H6586, _pâshaʻ_) denotes a willful rebellion, a breaking of the covenant, and a defiant act against God's authority and love. This highlights the culpability of Israel's sin.
* **"though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me."** This clause presents a profound juxtaposition. "Though I have redeemed them" (H6299, _pâdâh_) underscores God's past acts of salvation and deliverance, particularly the Exodus from Egypt, and His continuous care. This emphasizes the depth of Israel's ingratitude and treachery. Despite God's costly and gracious redemption, "yet they have spoken lies against me." "Spoken lies" (H1696, _dâbar_ and H3577, _kâzâb_) refers to their idolatry, false worship, broken covenant promises, and reliance on deceptive foreign alliances. Their actions and words were a direct affront to God's truth and character, effectively denying His sovereignty and faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 7:13 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Repetition** is evident in the parallel structure of "Woe unto them!" and "destruction unto them!", emphasizing the certainty and severity of the impending judgment. This serves as a rhetorical device to underscore the divine decree. **Juxtaposition** is central to the verse's impact, starkly contrasting God's gracious act of "redeeming them" with Israel's rebellious act of "speaking lies against me." This highlights the profound ingratitude and covenant breaking of the people, intensifying the sense of divine grief and righteous anger. Furthermore, the verse uses **Personification** in "fled from me" and "spoken lies against me," attributing human actions of betrayal and deceit directly against God, emphasizing the personal nature of their offense against their covenant Lord. The overall tone carries strong elements of **Lament**, as God expresses profound sorrow and regret over the choices of His beloved people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 7:13 profoundly articulates the theological tension between God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and His people's persistent unfaithfulness. It reveals God's character as both a compassionate Redeemer and a righteous Judge. The verse underscores that God's redemptive acts demand a loyal response, and that rebellion, especially after experiencing divine grace, leads to inevitable and just consequences. It highlights the nature of sin not merely as a mistake but as a deliberate act of rebellion and deceit against a loving and sovereign God, a betrayal of the very relationship He initiated and sustained. This lament also previews the depth of God's suffering over His people's rejection, a suffering that would ultimately find its fullest expression in Christ.

* [Deuteronomy 32:15-18](/deuteronomy/32-15-18 "Deuteronomy 32:15-18 - Jeshurun's Rebellion") - This passage describes Israel's rebellion and forsaking God after being made prosperous, paralleling their ungrateful turning away.
* [Isaiah 1:2-4](/isaiah/1-2-4 "Isaiah 1:2-4 - A Rebellious Nation") - Here, God laments that His children have rebelled against Him, despite His nurturing, calling them a sinful nation laden with iniquity, who have forsaken the Lord.
* [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Two Evils") - This verse condemns Israel for committing two evils: forsaking God, the fountain of living waters, and hewing out broken cisterns that can hold no water, illustrating their turning from the true source of life to worthless alternatives.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 7:13 serves as a timeless mirror for believers today, challenging us to honestly examine the authenticity of our relationship with God. It reminds us that God's grace and redemption are not licenses for spiritual apathy or a casual approach to our faith. Instead, they demand a profound and unwavering loyalty. Are we, like ancient Israel, prone to "fleeing" from God when difficulties arise, seeking solutions in worldly alliances or self-reliance rather than in His sovereign provision? Do our actions or words, even subtly, "speak lies against" Him by misrepresenting His character, compromising His truth, or prioritizing idols (whether material possessions, career, or even personal comfort) over His supreme authority? This verse calls us to a deep introspection, urging us to respond to God's immense love and redemptive work with genuine faithfulness, wholehearted obedience, and an unwavering commitment to truth, lest we, too, incur the "woe" of unfaithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be "fleeing from" God in my life, perhaps by avoiding His will or seeking solutions apart from Him?**
* **How does my daily conduct, choices, and priorities either affirm or "speak lies against" the truth of who God is and what He has done for me?**
* **Considering God's redemption in my life, am I living in a way that truly honors that immense grace, or am I taking it for granted?**
* **What "transgressions" or areas of rebellion might I need to confess and repent of, turning back to God's covenant faithfulness?**

### FAQ

**What does "Woe unto them!" signify in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "Woe unto them!" (Hebrew, _ʼôwy_) is a powerful prophetic interjection that signifies both a lamentation and a pronouncement of judgment. It expresses God's deep sorrow and grief over the spiritual condition and rebellious actions of His people, Israel. Simultaneously, it serves as a solemn warning and a declaration of the inevitable, severe consequences—destruction and ruin—that will befall them because of their unfaithfulness and covenant breaking. It's an expression of divine anguish coupled with a just decree, highlighting the gravity of their sin and the certainty of its repercussions.

**How does Israel's "fleeing from me" relate to their "speaking lies against me"?**

Answer: Israel's "fleeing from me" (God) and "speaking lies against me" are two interconnected manifestations of their profound unfaithfulness. "Fleeing from me" describes their active abandonment of the covenant relationship with Yahweh, turning away from His guidance, protection, and exclusive worship. This flight often involved seeking alliances with foreign nations like Egypt and Assyria for security, rather than trusting in God, as described in [Hosea 7:11](/hosea/7-11 "Hosea 7:11 - Israel's Folly"). Their "speaking lies against me" is a broader indictment encompassing their idolatry (worshiping false gods, which are "lies"), their broken covenant promises, their insincere worship, and their general deceitful conduct. By turning to idols and foreign powers, they were, in essence, denying God's true nature, His sovereignty, and His redemptive acts, thereby "speaking lies" about Him through their actions and beliefs. Both actions demonstrate a fundamental rejection of God's truth and their covenant obligations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 7:13, with its lament over Israel's rebellion despite divine redemption, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Israel's failure to be a faithful covenant partner, their constant "fleeing" and "speaking lies" against God, underscored the need for a perfect, obedient Son. Jesus, the true Israel, perfectly fulfilled the covenant where Israel failed, living a life of complete obedience and truthfulness to the Father, even unto death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). He is the ultimate "Redeemer" (echoing God's claim in Hosea), not merely delivering from physical bondage but from the bondage of sin and death ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse")). The "woe" pronounced upon unfaithful Israel foreshadows the judgment for all who reject God's gracious offer, a judgment that Jesus bore on the cross for those who believe ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). Through His sacrifice, Jesus became the truth ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), conquering the "lies" of sin and false worship. He inaugurates a new covenant where, through His Spirit, believers are empowered to live in faithfulness and truth, no longer "fleeing" from God but drawing near to Him through the atoning work of the Lamb of God ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Approach God with Confidence")).

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 9:12

Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, [that there shall] not [be] a man [left]: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!

Hosea 11:12

Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.

Jeremiah 14:10

¶ Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.

Jonah 1:10

Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

Ezekiel 16:23

And it came to pass after all thy wickedness, (woe, woe unto thee! saith the Lord GOD;)

Isaiah 41:14

Fear not, thou worm Jacob, [and] ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Matthew 23:37

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!