King James Version

What Does Hosea 10:15 Mean?

Hosea 10:15 in the King James Version says “So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off. ... — study this verse from Hosea chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Hosea 10:15 · KJV


Context

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
Seeking God in dawn: 'I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.' Repeats 5:15, emphasizing God's withdrawal until they acknowledge guilt (אָשַׁם, asham) and seek (בִּקֵּשׁ, biqesh) His face. The phrase בַּצַּר לָהֶם יְשַׁחֲרֻנְנִי (batssar lahem yeshacharuneni, in distress they will seek Me early/diligently) suggests dawn-seeking—earnest, early-morning pursuit. This demonstrates that God uses affliction redemptively: suffering driving people to seek Him. Divine withdrawal intends eventual return. Christ ends separation, providing permanent access (Hebrews 10:19-22).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The promise that affliction produces seeking proved true historically: exile eventually produced remnant seeking YHWH (Daniel 9, Ezra 9, Nehemiah 9). Post-exilic Judaism showed renewed Torah commitment. Yet full seeking awaited Messiah's coming—Jesus being sought by both Jews and Gentiles. The pattern (apostasy, affliction, seeking, restoration) appears throughout Judges and prophets. Archaeological evidence shows post-exilic Jewish communities maintaining stronger covenant identity than pre-exilic period. This demonstrates that God's disciplinary judgments serve redemptive purposes—not destroying but refining, not abandoning but purifying.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's withdrawal 'till they acknowledge offence' demonstrate that repentance is prerequisite for restoration?
  2. What does 'in affliction they will seek Me early' teach about suffering's role in driving people to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
כָּ֗כָה1 of 13

So

H3602

just so, referring to the previous or following context

עָשָׂ֤ה2 of 13

do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָכֶם֙3 of 13
H0
בֵּֽית4 of 13
H0
אֵ֔ל5 of 13

shall Bethel

H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

מִפְּנֵ֖י6 of 13

unto you because

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

רָֽעַתְכֶ֑ם7 of 13

of your great

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

רָֽעַתְכֶ֑ם8 of 13

of your great

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

בַּשַּׁ֕חַר9 of 13

in a morning

H7837

dawn (literal, figurative or adverbial)

נִדְמָ֖ה10 of 13

be cut off

H1820

to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. to destroy

נִדְמָ֖ה11 of 13

be cut off

H1820

to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. to destroy

מֶ֥לֶךְ12 of 13

shall the king

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃13 of 13

of Israel

H3478

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


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 10:15 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 10:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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