Hosea 9:11

KJV

¶ [As for] Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.

KJV (with Strong's)

As for Ephraim {H669}, their glory {H3519} shall fly away {H5774} like a bird {H5775}, from the birth {H3205}, and from the womb {H990}, and from the conception {H2032}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The glory of Efrayim will fly away like a bird - no birth, no pregnancy, no conception.

Berean Standard Bible

Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird, with no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception.

American Standard Version

As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird: there shall be no birth, and none with child, and no conception.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 9:11 delivers a severe prophetic judgment against Ephraim, representing the Northern Kingdom of Israel, foretelling a complete and catastrophic loss of their "glory." This glory, encompassing their prosperity, honor, and most critically, their future generations, is depicted as vanishing swiftly and irreversibly "like a bird." The triple emphasis on "birth, womb, and conception" underscores the totality of this divine curse, signifying the eradication of their national continuity and hope, a direct consequence of their persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 9 stands as a stark declaration of God's impending judgment upon Israel, particularly Ephraim, for their pervasive unfaithfulness. Following chapters that detail Israel's spiritual adultery and political folly (e.g., [Hosea 4](/hosea/4 "Hosea 4 - Israel's Spiritual Harlotry") and [Hosea 7](/hosea/7 "Hosea 7 - Israel's Treachery")), chapter 9 shifts from diagnosis to pronouncement of punishment. The preceding verses (Hosea 9:1-10) outline the cessation of their joyous festivals, the defilement of their land, and the inevitability of exile, setting the stage for the ultimate curse of barrenness and loss of progeny described in verse 11. This verse acts as a climactic statement of the complete reversal of God's covenant blessings, particularly the promise of abundant offspring.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Hosea's prophecy (8th century BCE), the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often synonymous with Ephraim, its dominant tribe) was in a state of spiritual and political decline. They had abandoned the covenant with Yahweh for Baal worship, sought alliances with foreign powers like Assyria and Egypt instead of trusting God, and engaged in widespread social injustice. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a large family and numerous descendants were considered a primary blessing from God, a sign of divine favor, and the assurance of a future. Conversely, barrenness and the loss of progeny were seen as a profound curse and a sign of divine displeasure. The prophecy of Ephraim's "glory" flying away and the cessation of birth directly attacks the very foundation of their national identity and future hope, mirroring the warnings of covenant curses found in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").
* **Key Themes:** Hosea 9:11 contributes significantly to several major themes throughout the book of Hosea and the broader prophetic literature. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequences**, demonstrating that God's covenant loyalty demands faithfulness, and persistent sin inevitably leads to severe repercussions, including the removal of blessings. The verse foregrounds the theme of **Loss of Posterity and Future**, emphasizing that Israel's unfaithfulness would result in the termination of their lineage, a profound curse in their cultural context and a direct reversal of the Abrahamic promise of innumerable descendants (e.g., [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - The Abrahamic Covenant")). Finally, it highlights the **Transience of Worldly Glory**, revealing that Ephraim's perceived strength, prosperity, and large population – their "glory" – were fleeting and entirely dependent on God's sustaining favor. When that favor was withdrawn due to their spiritual harlotry (as seen in [Hosea 4:17](/hosea/4-17 "Hosea 4:17 - Ephraim Joined to Idols")), their "glory" would vanish as swiftly and irrevocably as a bird taking flight.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **glory (Hebrew, _kâbôwd'_):** From the root meaning "to be heavy," _kâbôwd_ primarily denotes weight, but figuratively it signifies splendor, honor, reputation, wealth, and abundance. In the context of Ephraim, their "glory" referred to their national prestige, their prosperity, their perceived strength, and crucially, their numerous population, which was seen as a sign of divine blessing and a source of national pride. The prophecy indicates that all these aspects, which they considered their "weight" or significance, would be stripped away.
* **fly away (Hebrew, _ʻûwph'_):** A primitive root meaning "to cover (with wings or obscurity)" and hence "to fly." It also carries implications of dimness or fainting. Here, it vividly describes a swift, sudden, and irreversible departure. The image of something flying away suggests its fragility, its inability to be recaptured, and its complete disappearance from sight, emphasizing the finality and speed of Ephraim's loss.
* **conception (Hebrew, _hêrôwn'_):** This word specifically means "pregnancy" or "conception." It is part of a climactic tripartite phrase ("from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception") that signifies the absolute totality and cessation of all future generations. Starting from the earliest possible stage of human life, the prophecy declares that no new life will even begin, let alone be carried to term or born, sealing the fate of Ephraim's national continuity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird,"**: This opening clause establishes the subject of the prophecy, Ephraim (representing the Northern Kingdom), and the nature of the impending judgment. Their "glory"—their honor, prosperity, and especially their populousness—is not merely diminished but will "fly away," a vivid metaphor indicating a swift, complete, and irreversible departure. The simile "like a bird" emphasizes the speed, fragility, and unrecoverable nature of this loss. Just as a bird disappears into the sky, so too will Ephraim's former splendor vanish.
* **"from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception."**: This powerful tricolon (a series of three parallel words or phrases) underscores the absolute totality of the judgment concerning progeny. It moves in reverse chronological order of human development, from birth (already existing life), to the womb (life being formed), to conception (life beginning). This rhetorical device emphasizes that no new life will be granted to Ephraim at any stage. There will be no children born, no pregnancies carried to term, and no new lives even conceived. This signifies the ultimate curse in ancient Israelite culture: the complete eradication of future generations and the cessation of national continuity, a direct reversal of God's covenant promises of fruitfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 9:11 is rich in literary devices that amplify its prophetic message. The most prominent is the **Simile**, "their glory shall fly away like a bird." This comparison vividly conveys the swiftness, fragility, and ultimate disappearance of Ephraim's honor, prosperity, and population. A bird's flight is quick and often leaves no trace, emphasizing the irreversible nature of the coming judgment. Furthermore, the verse employs **Merism** (or a form of **Tricolon** progressing to a climax) in the phrase "from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception." By listing three distinct stages of human development, from the latest to the earliest, the prophet signifies the absolute and comprehensive nature of the judgment: no new life will be granted to Ephraim at any point, from its very inception to its full term. This rhetorical emphasis underscores the complete and utter cessation of their national future.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 9:11 serves as a profound theological statement on the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. It reveals God's justice in responding to Israel's persistent idolatry and spiritual harlotry. The loss of "glory" and, more acutely, the cessation of progeny, directly reverses the foundational Abrahamic blessing of fruitfulness and multiplication, highlighting that divine blessings are conditional upon covenant obedience. This verse underscores that true national strength and future hope are not found in worldly alliances or self-reliance, but solely in a right and faithful relationship with the Lord. It is a sobering reminder that God does not tolerate sustained rebellion and that His judgment, though severe, is a just response to a people who have forsaken their divine Husband.

* [Deuteronomy 28:18](/deuteronomy/28-18 "Deuteronomy 28:18 - Curses on Offspring")
* [Jeremiah 7:34](/jeremiah/7-34 "Jeremiah 7:34 - Cessation of Joy and Marriage")
* [Matthew 21:43](/matthew/21-43 "Matthew 21:43 - Kingdom Taken Away")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 9:11 offers a timeless and sobering reflection for individuals and communities today. It powerfully illustrates that genuine prosperity, lasting honor, and a secure future are not rooted in material wealth, social status, or even numerical strength, but in a vibrant, faithful relationship with God. When we, like Ephraim, prioritize idols—whether they be career, possessions, pleasure, or self-sufficiency—over our devotion to the Lord, we risk losing our true "glory," which is found in His presence and favor. This verse challenges us to examine where our ultimate trust and allegiance lie. Are we building our lives and our communities on fleeting worldly foundations, or on the enduring principles of God's kingdom? The call is to repent from any form of spiritual idolatry, to return to the Lord with wholehearted devotion, and to seek His righteousness above all else, recognizing that true fruitfulness—spiritual and otherwise—comes only from Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "glories" in my life or community might be fleeting because they are not rooted in faithfulness to God?**
* **In what ways might I be prioritizing worldly pursuits or "idols" over my relationship with the Lord, similar to ancient Ephraim?**
* **How does the concept of "loss of progeny" in Hosea 9:11 translate into spiritual barrenness or lack of fruitfulness in my own life or ministry?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure my hope and future are firmly grounded in God's promises rather than transient worldly blessings?**

### FAQ
**What does "Ephraim" represent in this verse?**

Answer: In Hosea, "Ephraim" is often used as a metonymy for the entire Northern Kingdom of Israel. Ephraim was the largest and most influential tribe within the Northern Kingdom, and its territory included Samaria, the capital. Therefore, when Hosea speaks of Ephraim, he is typically addressing the collective nation of Israel (excluding Judah), highlighting their specific sins and the judgment that would befall them due to their unfaithfulness to the covenant with Yahweh. This focus on Ephraim underscores the prophet's direct address to the dominant power and spiritual leader among the northern tribes.

**What is the significance of "their glory shall fly away like a bird"?**

Answer: This vivid simile emphasizes the swift, complete, and irreversible nature of the coming judgment. "Glory" (Hebrew _kâbôwd_) here refers to Ephraim's honor, prosperity, and particularly their large population, which was seen as a sign of God's blessing. The image of a bird flying away suggests that this glory will vanish quickly and without a trace, unable to be recaptured. It highlights the fragility of worldly blessings when they are not sustained by divine favor, demonstrating how quickly perceived strength and abundance can dissipate when a people abandon their covenant with God. This imagery contrasts sharply with the stability and permanence associated with God's own glory.

**Does "from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception" mean no one will have children ever again?**

Answer: This phrase is a powerful rhetorical device known as a tricolon or merism, emphasizing the totality and comprehensiveness of the judgment regarding progeny. It signifies a complete cessation of new life for Ephraim, moving from the latest stage of development (birth) to the earliest (conception). While it doesn't necessarily mean every single individual would become barren for all time, it prophesies a severe demographic catastrophe for the nation, leading to a drastic reduction or even the effective end of their national continuity and future generations. This was a profound curse in a culture where numerous offspring were a primary blessing and the assurance of a family line's continuation. It points to a national decimation, as seen in the subsequent Assyrian exile (e.g., [2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - Israel Exiled to Assyria")), which severely curtailed Israel's population and national identity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 9:11, with its stark prophecy of lost glory and barrenness, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in a literal, physical eradication of all descendants, but in the spiritual reality that true "glory" and "fruitfulness" are found exclusively in Christ. Israel's glory, their covenant relationship and the blessings flowing from it, indeed "flew away" because of their unfaithfulness, culminating in the judgment of exile and the eventual rejection of their Messiah. However, in Christ, a new and eternal "glory" is revealed, one that cannot fly away. Jesus himself is the "glory of God" (e.g., [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") and [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")). Through His atoning sacrifice, He offers a spiritual "birth" and "conception" to all who believe, granting them a new life (e.g., [John 3:3](/john/3-3 "John 3:3 - Born Again")) and the ability to bear spiritual fruit (e.g., [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in the Vine")). The barrenness prophesied for unfaithful Israel is overcome in the spiritual abundance of the Church, the true Israel, where believers are supernaturally "born of God" (e.g., [1 John 5:1](/1_john/5-1 "1 John 5:1 - Born of God")) and become part of an innumerable spiritual offspring, fulfilling God's original promise to Abraham in a way far grander than physical lineage (e.g., [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")). Thus, the judgment on Ephraim highlights the desperate need for the true source of life and glory, which is found only in Jesus Christ.

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 10:5

The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof [that] rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.

Deuteronomy 28:18

Cursed [shall be] the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

Hosea 4:7

As they were increased, so they sinned against me: [therefore] will I change their glory into shame.

Hosea 9:14

Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.

Genesis 41:52

And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Psalms 58:8

As a snail [which] melteth, let [every one of them] pass away: [like] the untimely birth of a woman, [that] they may not see the sun.

Genesis 49:22

¶ Joseph [is] a fruitful bough, [even] a fruitful bough by a well; [whose] branches run over the wall: