Hosea 9:12
10 I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the firstfruits of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to Shame; so they became as detestable as the thing they loved.
11 Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird, with no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception.
Even if they raise their children, I will bereave them of each one. Yes, woe be to them when I turn away from them!
13 I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a meadow. But Ephraim will bring out his children for slaughter.
14 Give them, O LORD— what will You give? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that dry up!
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
- Even if they raise their children, I will bereave them of each one. Yes, woe be to them when I turn away from them!
- KJV
- Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!
- WEB
- Though they bring up their children, yet I will bereave them, so that not a man shall be left. Indeed, woe also to them when I depart from them!
- ASV
- Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, so that not a man shall be left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!
- DARBY
- For even should they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, [that] not a man [remain]: for woe also to them when I shall have departed from them!
- BLB
- Even if they bring up their sons, I will bereave them of each man. Yes indeed, woe to them, at My turning away from them!
- ÅB
- Ja, selv om de oppfør sine barn, vil jeg gjøre dem barnløse, så intet menneske blir tilbake; for ve dem når jeg forlater dem!
- OTB
- Selv om de oppdrar sine barn,
Skal jeg likevel berøve dem inntil ikke én er igjen.
Ve dem virkelig når jeg forlater dem! - B1930
- Ja, selv om de opfør sine barn, vil jeg gjøre dem barnløse, så intet menneske blir tilbake; for ve dem når jeg forlater dem!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Hosea 7:13
Woe to them, for they have strayed from Me! Destruction to them, for they have rebelled against Me! Though I would redeem them, they speak lies against Me.
Read in contextHosea 9:16
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.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 31:17
On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, so that they will be consumed, and many troubles and afflictions will befall them. On that day they will say, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’
Read in contextDeuteronomy 32:25
Outside, the sword will take their children, and inside, terror will strike the young man and the young woman, the infant and the gray-haired man.
Read in contextJeremiah 15:7
I will scatter them with a winnowing fork at the gates of the land. I will bereave and destroy My people who have not turned from their ways.
Read in contextJob 27:14
Though his sons are many, they are destined for the sword; and his offspring will never have enough food.
Read in contextHosea 9:5–6
What will you do on the appointed day, on the day of the LORD’s feast?
Read in context1 Samuel 28:15–16
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am deeply distressed,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.”
Read in context