Hosea 8:9
7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
8 Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.
For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.
10 Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.
11 Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey on its own. Ephraim has hired lovers.
- KJV
- For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.
- WEB
- For they have gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has hired lovers for himself.
- ASV
- For they are gone up to Assyria, [like] a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.
- DARBY
- For they are gone up [to] Assyria [as] a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.
- BLB
- For they have gone up to Assyria; a wild donkey isolated by himself; Ephraim, they have hired lovers.
- ÅB
- for de dro opp til Assur lik et villesel, som går sine egne veier; Efra'im tinger om elskov;
- OTB
- For de har dratt opp til Assyria,
Som et ensomt vilt esel;
Efraim har leid elskere. - B1930
- for de drog op til Assur lik et villesel, som går sine egne veier; Efra'im tinger om elskov;
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Jeremiah 2:24
A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.
Read in contextEzekiel 16:33–34
They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hirest them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom.
Read in contextHosea 7:11
Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.
Read in contextHosea 5:13
When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.
Read in context2 Kings 15:19
And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
Read in contextIsaiah 30:6
The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.
Read in contextHosea 12:1
Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
Read in contextHosea 2:5–7
For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.
Read in context