Hosea 9:2

KJV

The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.

KJV (with Strong's)

The floor {H1637} and the winepress {H3342} shall not feed {H7462} them, and the new wine {H8492} shall fail {H3584} in her.

Complete Jewish Bible

Threshing-floor and winepress won't feed them, and new wine will disappoint her.

Berean Standard Bible

The threshing floor and winepress will not feed them, and the new wine will fail them.

American Standard Version

The threshing-floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail her.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 9:2 pronounces a severe judgment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) for their pervasive idolatry and spiritual infidelity. The verse specifically foretells a devastating agricultural famine, declaring that the very symbols of their sustenance—the threshing floor (for grain) and the winepress (for wine)—will fail to provide food, and the new wine, a symbol of joy and abundance, will cease. This prophecy underscores God's sovereign control over creation and provision, directly countering Israel's false belief that their pagan deities, particularly Baal, were the source of their agricultural prosperity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea's prophecy is primarily directed at the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often referred to as Ephraim, detailing their spiritual harlotry, unfaithfulness to Yahweh, and pursuit of foreign gods and alliances. Chapters 4-8 lay out the charges against Israel, highlighting their idolatry, moral corruption, and reliance on human strength rather than God. Chapter 9, where this verse is found, shifts more explicitly to the pronouncement of impending judgment, exile, and the withdrawal of God's blessings as a direct consequence of their sin. The immediate verses preceding [Hosea 9:2](/hosea/9-2 "Hosea 9:2 - The Failure of Harvest") speak of Israel's inability to rejoice, their defilement, and their impending return to Egypt or Assyria, setting the stage for the specific agricultural curses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was an agrarian society, heavily dependent on grain, wine, and oil for sustenance and economic stability. Their calendar and festivals were deeply intertwined with the agricultural cycle. The worship of Baal, a Canaanite fertility god, was particularly alluring to Israel because he was believed to control rain and crop yields. Israel's syncretistic practices involved crediting Baal with their harvests, a direct affront to Yahweh, who was the true giver of all good things. The judgment of agricultural failure, therefore, was not merely an economic hardship but a direct theological refutation of their idolatry, demonstrating Baal's impotence and Yahweh's ultimate sovereignty as the Provider and Sustainer, as outlined in the covenant blessings and curses of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").
* **Key Themes:** Hosea 9:2 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Hosea and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Discipline**, where God, as a righteous and holy sovereign, brings consequences upon His people for their unfaithfulness. This judgment directly addresses the **Futility of Idolatry**, powerfully illustrating that the false gods Israel served could not deliver the blessings they promised, exposing their emptiness and impotence. The verse also highlights the **Consequences of Disobedience to the Covenant**, echoing the warnings of agricultural blight and lack of provision found in the Mosaic Law for apostasy (e.g., [Leviticus 26:18-20](/leviticus/26-18-20 "Leviticus 26:18-20 - Consequences of Disobedience")). Ultimately, the passage underscores God's absolute **Sovereignty over Creation and Provision**, reminding Israel—and us—that all true blessings flow from Him alone.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **floor (Hebrew, _gôren'_):** This term refers to the threshing floor, a hard, level area where harvested grain was threshed to separate the edible kernels from the chaff. It is a potent symbol of the grain harvest, which was the staple food source for ancient Israel. Its failure signifies a complete absence of the primary means of sustenance.
* **winepress (Hebrew, _yeqeb'_):** This denotes a wine-vat, typically consisting of an upper basin where grapes were trodden and a lower vat into which the juice drained. It is a symbol of the grape harvest and the production of wine, which was not only a beverage but also a significant part of their diet, economy, and celebrations. Its failure indicates a lack of one of their most valuable agricultural products.
* **new wine (Hebrew, _tîyrôwsh'_):** This refers to fresh grape-juice or must, often associated with abundance, joy, and prosperity in biblical contexts. The failure of "new wine" points to a profound loss of not only a commodity but also the associated joy and celebration, leading to sorrow and deprivation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The floor and the winepress shall not feed them,"**: This clause declares a direct and severe agricultural judgment. The "floor" (threshing floor) represents the grain harvest, and the "winepress" represents the grape harvest. The verb "feed" (Hebrew, _râʻâh'_) implies sustenance and provision. The prophetic declaration is that these foundational elements of Israel's agricultural economy, which they expected to provide for them, will utterly fail to do so. This judgment directly counters their belief that Baal, the god of fertility, would ensure their harvests. Instead, Yahweh, the true God, demonstrates His sovereignty by withholding the very blessings they attributed to false deities.
* **"and the new wine shall fail in her."**: This second clause reinforces and expands upon the judgment. "New wine" (Hebrew, _tîyrôwsh'_) symbolizes not only a vital commodity but also the joy and celebration associated with a bountiful harvest. The verb "fail" (Hebrew, _kâchash'_) means to be untrue, to disappoint, or to be found wanting. The phrase "in her" refers to Israel, personified as a woman. The complete failure of the new wine signifies a comprehensive loss of one of their most cherished products, leading to widespread deprivation, sorrow, and a complete absence of the expected prosperity and joy.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 9:2 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. **Symbolism** is prominent, with "the floor" and "the winepress" serving as potent symbols of Israel's agricultural prosperity, sustenance, and economic well-being. The "new wine" further symbolizes joy, abundance, and the celebratory aspects of life in an agrarian society. The failure of these symbols underscores the totality of the impending famine and the withdrawal of God's blessings. The verse also utilizes **Metonymy**, where the threshing floor and winepress stand in for the entire grain and grape harvests themselves. The prophetic declaration is a form of **Direct Address** and **Pronouncement of Judgment**, leaving no ambiguity about the source and nature of the impending disaster. The language is stark and direct, creating a sense of **Foreshadowing** of the severe consequences that await Israel due to their persistent idolatry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 9:2 profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His role as the ultimate Provider. It serves as a stark reminder that all sustenance and prosperity flow from His hand, not from human effort, false gods, or material possessions. The judgment of agricultural failure is a direct consequence of Israel's spiritual adultery, demonstrating that breaking covenant with God has tangible, devastating repercussions. This passage underscores the theological truth that true life, joy, and security are found only in a right relationship with the living God, and that chasing after idols ultimately leads to emptiness and disappointment. God's discipline, though painful, is often a means to reveal the futility of sin and draw His people back to Himself.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-18](/deuteronomy/28-15-18 "Deuteronomy 28:15-18 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Broken Cisterns")
* [Joel 1:10-12](/joel/1-10-12 "Joel 1:10-12 - Agricultural Devastation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 9:2 serves as a timeless warning against placing our trust, hope, and worship in anything other than the one true God. In our modern context, while we may not bow to physical idols of Baal, we often find ourselves placing ultimate reliance on wealth, career, relationships, social status, or even our own abilities for security, identity, and satisfaction. This verse challenges us to examine where our deepest trust lies and to recognize that anything we elevate above God will ultimately "fail" us, proving to be an insufficient source of true sustenance or lasting joy. God remains the ultimate Provider, and when we drift from Him, He may, in His loving discipline, allow our perceived sources of security to crumble, not to punish vindictively, but to draw us back to Himself, the only fountain of living waters. Our true joy and fulfillment are found not in material abundance or worldly success, but in a vibrant, obedient relationship with our Creator and Redeemer.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "floors" or "winepresses" in my life do I tend to rely on more than God for security or joy?**
* **How might God be using circumstances in my life to reveal the futility of false sources of provision or satisfaction?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a deeper trust in God as my ultimate Provider and the source of true joy, even amidst uncertainty or lack?**

### FAQ
**Why is agricultural failure a common judgment in the Old Testament?**

Answer: Agricultural failure was a common and particularly devastating form of judgment in the Old Testament because ancient Israel was an agrarian society, directly dependent on the land's produce for survival. God, as the Creator and Sustainer, has ultimate control over natural elements like rain and fertility. Therefore, withholding these blessings was a direct and undeniable demonstration of His displeasure and sovereignty. It also served as a clear refutation of the pagan fertility gods, like Baal, whom Israel often worshipped, proving their impotence and Yahweh's sole power. This form of judgment was also explicitly outlined in the covenant curses of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Covenant Curses"), making it a predictable consequence for disobedience.

**Does this verse imply God is punitive or merely withdrawing blessings?**

Answer: This verse implies both a punitive aspect and a withdrawal of blessings, which are often two sides of the same coin in biblical theology. God's actions here are a just consequence for Israel's persistent spiritual infidelity and idolatry. It is a punitive judgment in the sense that it is a direct response to their sin, bringing about suffering. However, it is also a withdrawal of the blessings of provision that God, in His grace, had previously bestowed. This withdrawal is not arbitrary but serves a disciplinary purpose, intended to humble Israel, expose the futility of their false gods, and ultimately call them back to repentance and a right relationship with Him. God's discipline is always rooted in His holiness and His desire for His people's ultimate good, even when it involves hardship, as seen in [Hebrews 12:6](/hebrews/12-6 "Hebrews 12:6 - God Disciplines Those He Loves").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 9:2, with its grim prophecy of failed harvests and absent joy due to Israel's spiritual infidelity, powerfully foreshadows humanity's inherent inability to find true sustenance and lasting satisfaction apart from God. Just as Israel sought provision from lifeless idols and found only emptiness, so too does humanity continually seek life, joy, and security in worldly pursuits that ultimately "fail" to deliver. This brokenness points to the ultimate provision found in Jesus Christ. He is the true "bread of life" (as declared in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), offering spiritual nourishment that never perishes, unlike the physical grain from the threshing floor. He is the "living water" (as promised in [John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus, the Living Water")), providing eternal satisfaction that earthly "new wine" could only temporarily symbolize. While Israel faced a curse of agricultural failure for their unfaithfulness, Christ, the Lamb of God, became a curse for us on the cross ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")), taking upon Himself the judgment due to our idolatry and sin. Through Him, we receive not a failing harvest, but "life and have it more abundantly" ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")), experiencing the true "new wine" of the Kingdom of God, a joy that never fails and a provision that is eternal.

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 2:9

Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax [given] to cover her nakedness.

Micah 6:13

Therefore also will I make [thee] sick in smiting thee, in making [thee] desolate because of thy sins.

Micah 6:16

For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.

Isaiah 24:7

The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh.

Isaiah 24:12

In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.

Joel 1:3

Tell ye your children of it, and [let] your children [tell] their children, and their children another generation.

Joel 1:7

He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast [it] away; the branches thereof are made white.