Hosea 9:13

Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, [is] planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.

Ephraim {H669}, as I saw {H7200} Tyrus {H6865}, is planted {H8362} in a pleasant place {H5116}: but Ephraim {H669} shall bring forth {H3318} his children {H1121} to the murderer {H2026}.

Efrayim, as I see it, is like Tzor, planted in a pleasant place; but Efrayim will bring out his children to the slaughterer.

I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a meadow. But Ephraim will bring out his children for slaughter.

Ephraim, like as I have seen Tyre, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring out his children to the slayer.

Commentary

Hosea 9:13 delivers a poignant and somber prophetic warning to Ephraim, the dominant tribe representing the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The verse contrasts Israel's initial blessed state with the devastating consequences of their spiritual apostasy.

Context

The prophet Hosea ministered during a tumultuous period for the Northern Kingdom, marked by political instability, moral decay, and rampant idolatry, ultimately leading to their conquest by Assyria in 722 BC. Throughout the book, Hosea often personifies Israel as "Ephraim" due to its prominence and leading role in the nation's spiritual decline. This specific verse highlights God's perspective on Ephraim's perceived security and His impending judgment.

Key Themes

  • False Security and Prosperity: The phrase "Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place" draws a striking comparison. Tyre (Tyrus) was a powerful, wealthy Phoenician city, renowned for its strategic location, commercial strength, and perceived invincibility. This comparison underscores Israel's initial blessing with a fertile land and favorable position, suggesting they felt secure and prosperous, much like Tyre. However, just as Tyre faced divine judgment for its pride and wickedness, so too would Israel.
  • Divine Judgment and Devastating Consequences: The latter part of the verse, "but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer," reveals the horrific outcome of Israel's unfaithfulness. This isn't merely a threat of death but implies a complete societal collapse and the destruction of their future lineage. The "murderer" refers to the foreign invaders, primarily the Assyrians, who would decimate the population and carry off survivors into captivity. This tragic fate was a direct consequence of their abandonment of God and pursuit of idolatry, a theme consistently explored throughout Hosea (e.g., Hosea 4:17).
  • Loss of Future and Hope: The emphasis on children being brought "to the murderer" signifies the ultimate despair and loss of national continuity. For an ancient society, the loss of children meant the extinction of family lines and the end of a people's future. It underscores the severe and comprehensive nature of God's judgment against a nation that had repeatedly broken its covenant with Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "Tyrus" is Tsor (Χ¦ΦΉΧ¨), referring to the ancient city of Tyre. The term "murderer" comes from the Hebrew hareg (Χ”ΦΈΧ¨Φ΅Χ’), which broadly means "slayer" or "killer," emphasizing the violent and destructive nature of the impending judgment. The contrast between being "planted in a pleasant place" and delivering children to the "murderer" highlights the tragic reversal of fortunes due to their sin.

Reflection and Application

Hosea 9:13 serves as a timeless warning against placing one's trust in worldly prosperity, strategic advantage, or self-sufficiency rather than in God. Israel, despite being "planted in a pleasant place" by divine favor, chose to pursue idolatry and forget their covenant Lord. This verse reminds us that true security and lasting blessing come only through faithfulness to God. When nations or individuals abandon divine principles, they risk bringing about their own destruction, suffering consequences that can affect generations. It calls us to examine where our true security lies and to remain faithful to the Lord, lest we, like Ephraim, face the devastating consequences of spiritual rebellion.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 27:3

    And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, [which art] a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I [am] of perfect beauty.

  • Ezekiel 26:1

    ΒΆ And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first [day] of the month, [that] the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

  • Ezekiel 26:21

    I will make thee a terror, and thou [shalt be] no [more]: though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Amos 7:17

    Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.

  • Jeremiah 9:21

    For death is come up into our windows, [and] is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, [and] the young men from the streets.

  • Hosea 10:14

    Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon [her] children.

  • Hosea 9:16

    Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay [even] the beloved [fruit] of their womb.
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