King James Version

What Does Hosea 10:1 Mean?

Hosea 10:1 in the King James Version says “Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased...” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images. an: or, a vine emptying the fruit which it giveth images: Heb. statues, or, standing images”

Hosea 10:1 · KJV

Context

1

Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images. an: or, a vine emptying the fruit which it giveth images: Heb. statues, or, standing images

2

Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images. Their heart: or, He hath divided their heart break: Heb. behead images: Heb. statues, or, standing images

3

For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?

Read Hosea 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.' Israel described as 'empty vine' (boqeq) - hollow, degenerate, bearing fruit for self rather than God. Prosperity ('multitude of fruit,' 'goodness of land') produced idolatry ('increased altars,' 'goodly images') instead of gratitude. Jesus taught similar principle: seed among thorns gets choked by riches (Matthew 13:22). Only vine connected to Christ (John 15:1-5) bears fruit honoring God. Self-serving religion perverts prosperity into idolatry.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeroboam II's prosperous reign brought economic boom and multiplication of idolatrous shrines. Rather than gratitude toward YHWH producing covenant faithfulness, prosperity funded more altars and images. Archaeological evidence confirms increased cult sites during prosperity periods. This demonstrates dangerous tendency: wealth producing self-sufficiency and idolatry rather than dependence on God. Deuteronomy 8:11-14 warned against this: prosperity tempts forgetting God. Only continual gratitude and recognition of divine provision prevents wealth from producing idolatry.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do I ensure prosperity produces gratitude and generosity rather than self-serving accumulation and spiritual complacency?
  2. What does 'empty vine bringing forth fruit to himself' teach about religion focused on self-benefit rather than God's glory?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
גֶּ֤פֶן1 of 14

“vine”

H1612

a vine (as twining), especially the grape

בּוֹקֵק֙2 of 14

“is an empty”

H1238

to pour out, i.e., to empty, figuratively, to depopulate; by analogy, to spread out (as a fruitful vine)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל3 of 14

“Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְפִרְי֗וֹ4 of 14

“fruit”

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

יְשַׁוֶּה5 of 14

“he bringeth forth”

H7737

properly, to level, i.e., equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e., counterbalance, be suitable, compose, place, yield, et

לּ֑וֹ6 of 14
H0
כְּרֹ֣ב7 of 14

“unto himself according to the multitude”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

לְפִרְי֗וֹ8 of 14

“fruit”

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

הִרְבָּה֙9 of 14

“he hath increased”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

לַֽמִּזְבְּח֔וֹת10 of 14

“the altars”

H4196

an altar

כְּט֣וֹב11 of 14

“according to the goodness”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

לְאַרְצ֔וֹ12 of 14

“of his land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הֵיטִ֖יבוּ13 of 14
H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

מַצֵּבֽוֹת׃14 of 14

“images”

H4676

something stationed, i.e., a column or (memorial stone); by analogy, an idol

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hosea. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hosea 10:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hosea 10:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 8:11Isaiah 5:1-7Philippians 2:21Leviticus 26:1Hosea 12:11Jeremiah 2:28

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