Hosea 7:16

KJV

They return, [but] not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this [shall be] their derision in the land of Egypt.

KJV (with Strong's)

They return {H7725}, but not to the most High {H5920}: they are like a deceitful {H7423} bow {H7198}: their princes {H8269} shall fall {H5307} by the sword {H2719} for the rage {H2195} of their tongue {H3956}: this {H2097} shall be their derision {H3933} in the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They return, but not upward; they are like an unreliable bow. Their leaders will die by the sword because of their angry talk. They will become a laughingstock in the land of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible

They turn, but not to the Most High; they are like a faulty bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword for the cursing of their tongue; for this they will be ridiculed in the land of Egypt.

American Standard Version

They return, but not to him that is on high; they are like a deceitful bow; their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 7:16 delivers a stark indictment against the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim), exposing the superficiality of their repentance and their persistent spiritual infidelity. The verse vividly portrays their unreliability through the metaphor of a "deceitful bow," predicting the dire consequences of their misplaced trust in foreign alliances and their defiant rhetoric, culminating in the downfall of their leaders and national humiliation at the hands of those they sought to appease.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 7:16 is situated within a broader section of the book (chapters 7-10) that meticulously details Israel's deep-seated corruption, spiritual apostasy, and political instability. The preceding verses in chapter 7 paint a grim picture of internal moral decay, likening the nation to a "burning oven" of lust and wickedness ([Hosea 7:4](/hosea/7-4 "Hosea 7:4 - Israel's Consuming Lust")) and highlighting the oppressive nature of their kings. This verse specifically addresses their attempts at "returning" or seeking help, clarifying that these efforts are not directed towards God but are instead self-serving or aimed at unreliable human powers. The "deceitful bow" imagery underscores the unreliability that permeates their national character, both in their covenant relationship with Yahweh and in their political dealings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of Hosea's prophecy (8th century BCE) was marked by profound political turmoil for the northern kingdom of Israel. Following the death of Jeroboam II, a succession of weak and short-lived kings led to internal assassinations and external pressures from rising empires like Assyria. Israel, caught between Assyria and Egypt, frequently vacillated in its foreign policy, seeking alliances first with one, then the other, rather than trusting in God. This verse reflects that geopolitical reality, particularly their reliance on Egypt, which ultimately proved to be a source of shame rather than salvation. The "rage of their tongue" also hints at the internal strife and defiant boasts against God or oppressive speech from their leaders that characterized this era.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Hosea. The theme of **Superficial Repentance** is central, as Israel's "return" is explicitly stated as "not to the Most High," revealing a lack of genuine, heartfelt turning to God, contrasting with the true repentance God desires, as seen in [Hosea 6:1-3](/hosea/6-1-3 "Hosea 6:1-3 - A Call to Return to the Lord"). The **Unreliability and Deception** of Israel is vividly portrayed by the "deceitful bow" metaphor, symbolizing their covenant infidelity and political inconsistency. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequences**, as their unfaithfulness directly leads to the "fall by the sword" of their princes and national "derision," illustrating the inevitable outcome of rejecting God's covenant and relying on human strength or foreign powers, a warning echoed in [Hosea 8:9](/hosea/8-9 "Hosea 8:9 - Ephraim's Reliance on Assyria").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **High (Hebrew, _ʻal'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "top," specifically refers to "the highest," denoting God. The phrase "not to the most High" therefore emphasizes that Israel's actions, though they might appear as a turning, were not directed towards Yahweh, the supreme God, but rather towards other, lesser sources of help or their own devices.
* **Deceitful (Hebrew, _rᵉmîyâh'_):** This term signifies "remissness" or "treachery." When applied to a bow, it describes one that is slack, unreliable, or fails to shoot true, symbolizing Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness, their lack of firm commitment to God, and their treacherous behavior within the covenant.
* **Rage (Hebrew, _zaʻam'_):** Literally meaning "froth at the mouth," this word figuratively denotes "fury" or "indignation." In this context, "the rage of their tongue" refers to the defiant, arrogant, or contentious speech of Israel's princes, likely against God or their own people, which provoked divine judgment and contributed to their downfall.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They return, [but] not to the most High:"** This opening clause immediately exposes the hypocrisy of Israel's actions. While they might make outward gestures of turning or seeking help, their hearts and ultimate allegiance are not directed towards Yahweh. Their "return" is superficial, perhaps a political maneuver or a desperate cry in times of trouble, but it lacks genuine repentance and devotion to the covenant God.
* **"they are like a deceitful bow:"** This powerful simile illustrates Israel's inherent unreliability and treachery. Just as a faulty bow cannot be trusted to hit its target, Israel cannot be trusted in its covenant relationship with God. Their spiritual instability, inconsistency, and tendency to deviate from God's path render them ineffective and untrustworthy, leading to their own undoing.
* **"their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue:"** This pronouncement details a specific consequence of their unfaithfulness. The leaders of Israel, who should have guided the nation in righteousness, will perish violently. Their downfall is directly attributed to "the rage of their tongue," which could refer to their defiant boasts against God, their oppressive and unjust speech towards their own people, or their politically motivated rhetoric that led them astray from divine wisdom and into fatal alliances.
* **"this [shall be] their derision in the land of Egypt."** The final clause highlights the ultimate humiliation awaiting Israel. Their misguided reliance on Egypt for protection, instead of providing security, will ironically become the very source of their public shame and mockery. The nation they sought as an ally will witness their downfall, turning their desperation into a spectacle of scorn and derision, fulfilling God's warnings against trusting in human power over divine sovereignty.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 7:16 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its prophetic message. The most prominent is **Simile**, evident in "they are like a deceitful bow." This vivid comparison immediately conjures an image of unreliability and failure, effectively communicating Israel's spiritual instability and treachery in their covenant with God. The phrase "rage of their tongue" utilizes **Metonymy**, where "tongue" stands for the speech or words themselves, emphasizing the destructive power of their defiant and ungodly rhetoric. The entire verse also functions as a powerful example of **Prophecy**, foretelling the specific consequences—the fall of princes by the sword and national derision—that will befall Israel due to their persistent apostasy and misplaced trust. The concluding image of "derision in the land of Egypt" serves as a poignant **Irony**, as the very nation Israel sought for security becomes the witness to their shame, underscoring the futility of their human-centered strategies.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 7:16 profoundly articulates the theological principle that true security and blessing are found only in wholehearted devotion to God, not in superficial religiosity or reliance on human strength and alliances. Israel's failure to genuinely "return to the Most High" underscores the divine demand for authentic, internal transformation rather than mere external conformity. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God sees beyond outward appearances, discerning the true intent of the heart. Their "deceitful bow" nature signifies the inherent instability and ultimate failure of any life or nation built on a foundation other than God's unwavering truth and covenant faithfulness. The judgment pronounced is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of their defiance and misplaced trust, demonstrating God's justice in holding His people accountable for their covenant breaches.

* [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Forsaking the Fountain of Living Waters")
* [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trusting in the Lord's Name")
* [Isaiah 30:1-3](/isaiah/30-1-3 "Isaiah 30:1-3 - Woe to Rebellious Children Seeking Egypt's Aid")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 7:16 offers a piercing challenge to contemporary believers, urging us to examine the authenticity of our own faith and commitment. Are our "returns" to God truly to the "Most High," or are they merely superficial gestures, driven by convenience, crisis, or a desire for self-benefit? The image of the "deceitful bow" calls us to confront any areas of inconsistency, unreliability, or treachery in our spiritual walk. Do we say we trust God, yet lean on our own understanding, human connections, or worldly systems for security and guidance? The "rage of their tongue" serves as a potent warning about the destructive power of our words—whether defiant, boastful, critical, or ungodly—and how they can lead to personal and communal downfall. Ultimately, this verse compels us to cultivate a faith that is wholehearted, consistent, and rooted in an unwavering trust in God alone, recognizing that true honor and stability are found not in human schemes or fleeting alliances, but in humble, sincere, and complete devotion to the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might my "return" to God be less than wholehearted or "not to the Most High"?**
* **How might I be like a "deceitful bow" in my commitment to God or my relationships with others?**
* **What does "the rage of their tongue" reveal about the power of words, and how can I ensure my speech honors God and builds up others?**
* **Where am I tempted to rely on "Egypt" (worldly systems, human strength, or fleeting alliances) instead of fully trusting in the Lord?**

### FAQ
**What does "They return, [but] not to the most High" mean in Hosea 7:16?**

Answer: This phrase highlights the superficiality and insincerity of Israel's attempts to turn back to God. While they might have made outward gestures of repentance or sought divine intervention in times of crisis, their hearts were not genuinely committed to Yahweh, the covenant God. Their "return" was often a political maneuver, a cry for help directed towards foreign powers like Egypt or Assyria, or a half-hearted religious observance, rather than a true, wholehearted turning to the Lord for salvation and guidance. It signifies a lack of authentic spiritual transformation and a continued reliance on human wisdom and strength.

**What is the significance of the "deceitful bow" metaphor?**

Answer: The "deceitful bow" (Hebrew: *qeshet remiyah*) is a powerful metaphor illustrating Israel's unreliability and treachery. Just as a faulty bow fails to shoot straight or hit its target, Israel was spiritually unstable and inconsistent in its covenant relationship with God. This imagery conveys their wavering loyalty, their tendency to deviate from God's path, and their inability to be a trustworthy partner in the covenant. It symbolizes their spiritual and moral instability, leading to their ultimate failure and judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 7:16, with its lament over Israel's superficial return and their nature as a "deceitful bow," powerfully foreshadows the profound need for a true and complete turning to God, a turning perfectly exemplified and made possible by Jesus Christ. Israel's inability to genuinely return to the "Most High" underscores humanity's inherent brokenness and our tendency to seek solutions apart from God. In contrast, Jesus is the one who perfectly embodies true obedience and faithfulness, offering the ultimate and final "return" to God. He is the faithful Son who always did the will of the Father ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does the Father's Will")). Our own "deceitful bow" nature, marked by sin and unreliability, finds its remedy in Christ, who, through His atoning sacrifice, takes away our sin and enables us to be truly reconciled to God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The judgment faced by Israel's princes for the "rage of their tongue" points to the consequences of human rebellion and self-reliance, which are ultimately borne by Christ on the cross, allowing those who believe in Him to escape such condemnation ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). In Christ, we find not derision, but acceptance and new life, as He transforms our hearts from being "deceitful bows" into instruments of righteousness, perfectly aligned with the will of the Most High.

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 9:3

They shall not dwell in the LORD'S land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean [things] in Assyria.

Psalms 78:57

But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.

Psalms 73:9

They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

Ezekiel 23:32

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou shalt drink of thy sister's cup deep and large: thou shalt be laughed to scorn and had in derision; it containeth much.

Psalms 12:4

Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips [are] our own: who [is] lord over us?

Hosea 9:6

For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant [places] for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns [shall be] in their tabernacles.

Hosea 11:7

And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].