King James Version

What Does Hosea 10:8 Mean?

Hosea 10:8 in the King James Version says “The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their al...” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.”

Hosea 10:8 · KJV

Context

6

It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

7

As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water. the water: Heb. the face of the water

8

The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

9

O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.

10

It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows. when: or, when I shall bind them for their two transgressions, or, in their two habitations

Read Hosea 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us. Aven (Beth-aven, Bethel) high places - Israel's primary sin - will be destroyed. Thorns and thistles overgrowing altars shows complete desolation and agricultural curse (Genesis 3:18). The terrified cry Cover us, Fall on us expresses desperate desire to escape judgment. Jesus quotes this (Luke 23:30) about Jerusalem's destruction. Revelation 6:16 applies it to final judgment. Better to die under falling mountains than face God's wrath. Only Christ bears wrath for believers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Assyrian conquest destroyed northern shrines. Archaeological evidence shows abandoned cult sites from this period. Thorns overgrowing altars fulfilled the prophecy - desolation replacing worship. The cry to mountains appears multiple times in Scripture, always indicating extreme terror before judgment. Jesus's quotation shows pattern continuing. Modern application: those rejecting Christ will ultimately cry for anything to escape His wrath. Yet nothing shields from divine judgment except Christ Himself, who bore it for believers (Romans 8:1).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the desperate cry to mountains to fall and cover demonstrate about the terror of facing God's unmediated wrath?
  2. How should this imagery drive me to Christ as only refuge from coming judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְנִשְׁמְד֞וּ1 of 16

“shall be destroyed”

H8045

to desolate

בָּמ֣וֹת2 of 16

“The high places”

H1116

an elevation

אָ֗וֶן3 of 16

“also of Aven”

H206

aven, the contemptuous synonym of three places, one in coele-syria, one in egypt (on), and one in palestine (bethel)

חַטַּאת֙4 of 16

“the sin”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל5 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

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

ק֣וֹץ6 of 16

“the thorn”

H6975

a thorn

וְדַרְדַּ֔ר7 of 16

“and the thistle”

H1863

a thorn

יַעֲלֶ֖ה8 of 16

“shall come up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עַל9 of 16
H5921

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

מִזְבְּחוֹתָ֑ם10 of 16

“on their altars”

H4196

an altar

וְאָמְר֤וּ11 of 16

“and they shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֶֽהָרִים֙12 of 16

“to the mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

כַּסּ֔וּנוּ13 of 16

“Cover”

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

וְלַגְּבָע֖וֹת14 of 16

“us and to the hills”

H1389

a hillock

נִפְל֥וּ15 of 16

“Fall”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עָלֵֽינוּ׃16 of 16
H5921

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

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 10:8 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 10:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 23:30Revelation 6:16Isaiah 2:191 Kings 12:28-30Amos 8:14Hosea 9:6

Places in This Verse

AvenSettlement · Modern: Beitin · 31.92°N, 35.24°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Hosea 10 →

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