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.

Ephraim {H669} is smitten {H5221}, their root {H8328} is dried up {H3001}, they shall bear {H6213} no fruit {H6529}: yea, though they bring forth {H3205}, yet will I slay {H4191} even the beloved {H4261} fruit of their womb {H990}.

Efrayim has been struck down, their root has been dried up, they will bear no fruit. Even if they do give birth, I will kill their cherished offspring."

Ephraim is struck down; their root is withered; they cannot bear fruit. Even if they bear children, I will slay the darlings of their wombs.

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

Hosea 9:16 delivers a stark prophecy of divine judgment against Ephraim, the leading tribe representing the northern kingdom of Israel. This verse vividly portrays the severe consequences of their persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness to God.

Context of Hosea 9:16

The prophet Hosea consistently condemns Israel for breaking their covenant with God, likening their spiritual infidelity to adultery. Throughout the book, God expresses both His deep love for Israel and His righteous anger over their rebellion, their pursuit of pagan gods, and their reliance on foreign alliances rather than Him. Chapter 9, in particular, details the impending famine, exile, and destruction that will befall them as a direct result of their sin. The imagery in this verse speaks to the complete devastation awaiting a nation that has turned its back on its Creator, despite numerous warnings.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Total Judgment and Barrenness: The phrase "Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit" illustrates a comprehensive and irreversible judgment. Like a plant whose roots are dead, there is no hope for natural growth, prosperity, or continuation of their lineage. This signifies not just a lack of physical produce but also a spiritual barrenness, a failure to produce righteousness or faithfulness.
  • Divine Wrath and Consequences of Sin: God's declaration, "yet will I slay [even] the beloved [fruit] of their womb," underscores the severity of His wrath. This chilling pronouncement means that even the joy of children, often considered a great blessing and hope for the future, would be turned into sorrow. It highlights the devastating ripple effect of national sin, impacting even the innocent and signifying the utter removal of future generations as a sign of God's complete rejection of their sinful ways. This judgment aligns with warnings found in passages like Deuteronomy 28:18 regarding disobedience.
  • Broken Covenant: At its core, this judgment is a consequence of Israel's persistent breach of the covenant God made with them. Their idolatry and moral corruption provoked God's hand against them, leading to their downfall and spiritual ruin.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "smitten" (נָכָה, nakah) implies a forceful, decisive blow, indicating that this judgment is not accidental but a direct act of God's will. The imagery of the "root dried up" (יָבֵשׁ, yabesh) and bearing "no fruit" (פְּרִי, pĕrî) powerfully conveys utter desolation and lack of future vitality. This agricultural metaphor would have been immediately understood by an agrarian society, emphasizing the complete cessation of life and prosperity for Ephraim.

Practical Application

Hosea 9:16 serves as a solemn warning that applies beyond ancient Israel. It reminds us that persistent rebellion against God and spiritual unfaithfulness have severe consequences. Just as Ephraim faced barrenness and judgment for their idolatry, individuals and nations today can experience a form of spiritual "drying up" when they abandon God's ways. The verse calls for reflection on our own spiritual fruitfulness and adherence to God's commands. It highlights the importance of repentance and turning back to God before the "root" of our faith or society becomes completely withered, leading to a loss of blessings and a future without His favor. This pursuit of spiritual fruitfulness is often contrasted with the barrenness described here, as seen in the call to bear the fruit of the Spirit.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hosea 9:11

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

  • Hosea 9:13

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

  • Isaiah 5:24

    Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, [so] their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

  • Ezekiel 24:21

    Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword.

  • Isaiah 40:24

    Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.

  • Job 18:16

    His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.

  • Malachi 4:1

    ¶ For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

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