King James Version

What Does Hosea 10:14 Mean?

Hosea 10:14 in the King James Version says “Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel i... — study this verse from Hosea chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.

Hosea 10:14 · KJV


Context

12

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

13

Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

14

Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.

15

So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off. your: Heb. the evil of your evil


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. Israel compared to heifer loving easy work - treading grain (could eat while working, Deuteronomy 25:4). But God will put yoke on fair neck, making her do hard labor (plowing, breaking clods). This describes judgment transforming comfort to harsh discipline. The easy path of prosperity becomes difficult path of exile. Judah and Jacob (broader Israel) also receive hard labor. Only Christ's yoke is easy and burden light (Matthew 11:30), providing rest instead of oppression.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jeroboam II's reign provided prosperity - Israel enjoyed easy times like heifer treading grain. But coming judgment (Assyrian exile) would be harsh labor - yoke of oppression. Judah also faced similar fate (Babylonian exile). The metaphor perfectly captures transition from prosperity to captivity. Modern application: prosperity allowing comfortable religion often precedes discipline demanding hard lessons. God uses hardship redemptively, breaking stubborn hearts and teaching dependence. Only Christ provides true rest - not comfortable circumstances but peace amid trials (John 16:33).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God transforming easy prosperity (treading corn) to hard discipline (plowing) serve redemptive purposes?
  2. In what ways does comfortable religion need God's yoke to produce genuine transformation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְקָ֣אם1 of 16

arise

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

שָׁאוֹן֮2 of 16

Therefore shall a tumult

H7588

uproar (as of rushing); by implication, destruction

בְּעַמֶּךָ֒3 of 16

among thy people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְכָל4 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מִבְצָרֶ֣יךָ5 of 16

and all thy fortresses

H4013

a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender

יוּשַּׁ֔ד6 of 16

shall be spoiled

H7703

properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage

כְּשֹׁ֧ד7 of 16

spoiled

H7701

violence, ravage

שַֽׁלְמַ֛ן8 of 16

as Shalman

H8020

shalman, a king apparently of assyria

בֵּ֥ית9 of 16
H0
אַֽרְבֵ֖אל10 of 16

Betharbel

H1009

beth-arbel, a place in palestine

בְּי֣וֹם11 of 16

in the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מִלְחָמָ֑ה12 of 16

of battle

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

אֵ֥ם13 of 16

the mother

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

עַל14 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בָּנִ֖ים15 of 16

upon her children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

רֻטָּֽשָׁה׃16 of 16

was dashed in pieces

H7376

to dash down


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 10:14 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 10:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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