Hosea 9:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For, lo, they are gone {H1980} because of destruction {H7701}: Egypt {H4714} shall gather them up {H6908}, Memphis {H4644} shall bury {H6912} them: the pleasant {H4261} places for their silver {H3701}, nettles {H7057} shall possess {H3423} them: thorns {H2336} shall be in their tabernacles {H168}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For suppose they escape the destruction - Egypt will round them up, Memphis will bury them. And their precious treasures of silver? Nettles will possess them, thorns will be in their tents.

Berean Standard Bible

For even if they flee destruction, Egypt will gather them and Memphis will bury them. Their precious silver will be taken over by thistles, and thorns will overrun their tents.

American Standard Version

For, lo, they are gone away from destruction; yet Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them; their pleasant things of silver, nettles shall possess them; thorns shall be in their tents.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 9:6 delivers a poignant prophecy of judgment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim), foretelling their inevitable exile and the utter desolation of their land and cherished possessions. It vividly portrays the ironic fate awaiting a people who, having abandoned their covenant with Yahweh, would flee from Assyrian conquest only to find death and dishonorable burial in Egypt, their former ally, while their once-pleasant homes would be overrun by wild growth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger section of Hosea (chapters 9-10) that pronounces severe judgment against Israel for their idolatry, unfaithfulness, and political alliances that defied God's covenant. Chapter 9 specifically details the consequences of their sin, including famine, exile, and the cessation of religious festivals. Verse 6 follows a declaration of their inability to offer sacrifices to the Lord in their land, setting the stage for their forced departure and the subsequent ruin of their dwelling places. The progression from spiritual defilement to physical desolation is a recurring motif in this prophetic book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hosea prophesied during the tumultuous final decades of the Northern Kingdom, leading up to its fall to Assyria in 722 BCE. Israel, particularly Ephraim, had repeatedly sought alliances with foreign powers like Egypt and Assyria, rather than trusting in Yahweh for protection. This reliance on Egypt for military aid, often at the expense of their covenant obligations, is a significant backdrop to the prophecy in [Hosea 7:11-12](/hosea/7-11-12 "Hosea 7:11-12 - Israel's Folly in Seeking Alliances"). Memphis (ancient Egyptian: Men-nefer) was a prominent capital of ancient Egypt, known for its vast necropolis, making its mention here particularly poignant as a place of death and burial for those who sought refuge there. The imagery of nettles and thorns reclaiming cultivated land speaks to a common ancient Near Eastern understanding of desolation and abandonment.
* **Key Themes:** Hosea 9:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Hosea. It underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment**, demonstrating God's righteous wrath against persistent covenant unfaithfulness, as seen throughout [Hosea 4](/hosea/4 "Hosea 4 - God's Indictment Against Israel"). The verse also highlights the theme of **Futility of False Security**, illustrating how Israel's reliance on Egypt for protection, rather than on God, would ironically lead to their demise in that very land, a theme echoed in [Isaiah 30:1-3](/isaiah/30-1-3 "Isaiah 30:1-3 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help"). Furthermore, the imagery of nettles and thorns invading their homes speaks to the theme of **Desolation and Ruin** that would befall their once-prosperous nation, a consequence of their spiritual decay and a common prophetic motif for judgment, as also described in [Micah 3:12](/micah/3-12 "Micah 3:12 - Jerusalem to Become a Heap of Rubble").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gone (Hebrew, _hâlak'_):** From H1980, a primitive root meaning "to walk" or "to go" in a variety of applications. Here, it signifies a forced departure or movement, specifically their exile. It implies a definitive, irreversible departure, not a voluntary journey but a compelled removal from their land.
* **destruction (Hebrew, _shôd'_):** From H7701, meaning "violence," "ravage," "desolation," or "spoil." This word identifies the direct cause of their flight and subsequent demise. It speaks to the utter devastation and ruin that would befall them, not merely a minor setback but a comprehensive undoing.
* **pleasant (Hebrew, _machmâd'_):** From H4261, meaning "delightful," "object of affection or desire," or "goodly." This word describes the homes and possessions of Israel that were once cherished and valuable. Its use here emphasizes the stark contrast between their former state of comfort and the impending desolation, highlighting the magnitude of their loss.
* **nettles (Hebrew, _qimmôwsh'_):** From H7057, a prickly plant. Along with "thorns" (H2336, _chôwach'_), these terms are common biblical symbols of desolation, neglect, and the wild reclaiming what was once cultivated. Their presence signifies the abandonment and ruin of the "pleasant places," indicating that these once-inhabited dwellings would become overgrown and uninhabitable.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For, lo, they are gone because of destruction:"** This clause declares the immediate and inevitable consequence of Israel's actions: their forced departure or exile. The "destruction" refers to the Assyrian invasion and the ensuing devastation that would compel them to flee their homeland. It signals the beginning of their judgment.
* **"Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them:"** This is a powerful statement of ironic judgment. Israel had often sought alliances with Egypt, relying on them for military support instead of God. Now, Egypt, rather than being a refuge, becomes the place of their demise. "Gather them up" suggests collecting the scattered remnants, perhaps as captives or refugees, while "Memphis shall bury them" signifies a dishonorable death and burial in a foreign land, a stark contrast to the ancestral burial grounds in their homeland.
* **"the pleasant [places] for their silver, nettles shall possess them:"** This clause focuses on the desolation of their material wealth and homes. "The pleasant places for their silver" refers to their cherished dwellings, likely adorned with valuable possessions, perhaps even acquired through unjust means. The prophecy states that these once-desirable places will be overrun by "nettles," symbolizing abandonment, decay, and the wild reclaiming what was once cultivated and cared for.
* **"thorns [shall be] in their tabernacles."** This final phrase reinforces the imagery of utter desolation. "Tabernacles" (H168, _ʼôhel'_) refers to their tents or dwellings, signifying their homes. The presence of "thorns" further emphasizes the complete ruin and uninhabitable nature of their former residences. It paints a picture of a land stripped bare and homes left to decay, a direct consequence of their unfaithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 9:6 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. **Irony** is central, as Israel's reliance on Egypt for security ironically leads to their death and burial in that very land. **Symbolism** is heavily utilized with "nettles" and "thorns" representing desolation, abandonment, and the wild reclaiming cultivated spaces, vividly portraying the ruin of their homes and land. The phrase "pleasant [places] for their silver" uses **Metonymy**, where "silver" stands for the wealth and valuable possessions that were once cherished, emphasizing the material loss. The verse also employs **Juxtaposition**, contrasting the "pleasant places" with the invasive "nettles" and "thorns," highlighting the dramatic shift from prosperity to ruin. Finally, the vivid imagery creates a strong sense of **Pathos**, evoking pity for the tragic fate of a people who have brought such destruction upon themselves through their rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 9:6 profoundly illustrates the theological principle that persistent unfaithfulness to God inevitably leads to divine judgment and desolation. It underscores the covenantal consequences for Israel's idolatry and their reliance on foreign alliances rather than Yahweh. The prophecy reveals God's justice in allowing the very sources of their false security (like Egypt) to become instruments of their demise, demonstrating that true refuge and prosperity are found only in Him. This judgment, while severe, is part of God's righteous governance over His people, intended to expose the futility of their rebellion and, ultimately, to call them back to Himself.

* [Deuteronomy 28:64](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - Scattering Among All Peoples")
* [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Rely on Egypt")
* [Jeremiah 2:19](/jeremiah/2-19 "Jeremiah 2:19 - Your Own Wickedness Will Punish You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 9:6 serves as a sobering reminder that choices have consequences, particularly in our relationship with God. For the ancient Israelites, their persistent turning away from God and seeking security in worldly alliances led to profound loss and desolation. For believers today, this passage challenges us to examine where we place our ultimate trust and security. Do we rely on our own resources, worldly systems, or human connections more than on God? The "pleasant places" of our lives—our careers, finances, relationships, or comforts—can become idols if we prioritize them over our devotion to Christ. When we stray from God's path, the "nettles" and "thorns" of spiritual decay, disillusionment, and emptiness can infest what was once desirable. This verse calls us to a radical re-evaluation of our priorities, urging us to root our hope and security firmly in God alone, recognizing that true flourishing comes from obedience and faithful dependence on Him, not from fleeting worldly comforts or unreliable human strategies.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life am I tempted to seek security or refuge outside of God's provision and guidance?**
* **What "pleasant places" or possessions in my life might be at risk of becoming overgrown with "nettles" if my focus shifts away from God?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's justice and the consequences of disobedience, both for individuals and communities?**

### FAQ

**Why would Egypt "gather them up" and "bury them" if Israel was fleeing Assyria?**

Answer: This verse highlights a profound irony and judgment. Israel often sought alliances with Egypt to counter Assyrian aggression, against God's explicit command (e.g., [Isaiah 30:1-3](/isaiah/30-1-3 "Isaiah 30:1-3 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help")). Hosea prophesies that those who flee from Assyria, perhaps hoping for refuge in Egypt, would instead find death there. "Gather them up" could refer to Egypt collecting the scattered remnants of Israel, either as refugees who would eventually die there, or even as captives. "Memphis shall bury them" signifies a dishonorable death and burial in a foreign land, far from their ancestral graves, underscoring the futility and tragic outcome of their misplaced trust. It's a divine judgment that their chosen refuge would become their tomb.

**What is the significance of "nettles" and "thorns" possessing their homes?**

Answer: The imagery of "nettles" and "thorns" (Hebrew _qimmôwsh_ and _chôwach_) is highly symbolic in biblical prophecy. It signifies utter desolation, abandonment, and ruin. When cultivated land or dwellings are overrun by such wild, prickly plants, it indicates that they are no longer cared for, inhabited, or productive. For Israel, it meant that their once-cherished homes and "pleasant places" (perhaps acquired through ill-gotten gains, as suggested elsewhere in Hosea) would be left desolate and uninhabitable, a stark visual representation of the complete destruction of their society and the judgment on their unfaithfulness. It speaks to the reversal of blessing and prosperity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Hosea 9:6 pronounces a severe judgment on Israel's unfaithfulness, its themes of judgment, exile, and the desolation of a people who rejected God ultimately point to the greater redemption found in Christ. Israel's failure to maintain their covenant foreshadows humanity's universal inability to perfectly obey God's law, necessitating a divine solution. The judgment described here, where a people are "gone because of destruction" and buried in a foreign land, highlights the ultimate consequence of sin: spiritual death and separation from God. However, in Christ, we see the perfect fulfillment of God's covenant. Jesus, the true Israel, perfectly obeyed God where Israel failed, enduring the ultimate "destruction" and "exile" on the cross, taking upon Himself the judgment due to humanity's sin (e.g., [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His death and resurrection, He provides a new "tabernacle"—His own body, the Church—where God dwells among His people, not subject to thorns and nettles but to eternal flourishing (e.g., [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") and [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Built Together into a Holy Temple")). Thus, while Israel's physical homes were desolated, Christ offers a spiritual dwelling and eternal security that can never be overrun by the consequences of sin, providing true refuge and an everlasting inheritance for all who trust in Him (e.g., [1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3-5 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - An Inheritance That Is Imperishable")).

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 10:8

The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

Isaiah 5:6

And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.

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.

Hosea 8:13

They sacrifice flesh [for] the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat [it; but] the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.

Isaiah 7:23

And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, it shall [even] be for briers and thorns.

Hosea 7:16

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.

Isaiah 27:12

And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the LORD shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.