King James Version

What Does Hosea 11:8 Mean?

Hosea 11:8 in the King James Version says “How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set the... — study this verse from Hosea chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

Hosea 11:8 · KJV


Context

6

And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

7

And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him. none: Heb. together they exalted not

8

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

9

I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

10

They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's emotional struggle: 'How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.' The Hebrew piles up rhetorical questions revealing divine anguish: 'How can I give you up... hand you over?' Admah and Zeboim were cities destroyed with Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 10:19, Deuteronomy 29:23)—total annihilation. God wrestles: justice demands destruction, but love resists. 'My heart recoils within me' (nehepak alay libbi), 'my compassions kindle together' (yahhad nikhmeru nihumay). This isn't divine indecision but the tension between holiness and mercy. Verse 9 resolves: 'I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger... for I am God, and not man.' God's mercy transcends human revenge. This anticipates the cross where justice and mercy meet.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Despite Israel's persistent rebellion warranting complete destruction (like Sodom), God's covenant love prevented it. Though Assyria would conquer the northern kingdom (722 BC), scattering the ten tribes, a remnant would survive. God's faithfulness to Abraham's covenant (Genesis 12:1-3) constrained His wrath. This passage reveals God's heart: He takes no pleasure in judgment (Ezekiel 33:11) but experiences anguish over necessary discipline. The ultimate resolution came through Christ: at the cross, God's wrath was fully executed (on His Son), and His mercy fully extended (to sinners). Romans 3:25-26 explains: the cross demonstrates God's justice and justifies believers simultaneously. God's 'repentings kindled together' found resolution in Jesus bearing the judgment we deserved.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's anguish over judging sinners affect my understanding of His character—His holiness and His love?
  2. Do I take seriously both God's necessary judgment of sin and His passionate desire to show mercy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
אֵ֞יךְ1 of 16
H349

how? or how!; also where

אֶתֶּנְךָ֣2 of 16

How shall I give thee up

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶפְרַ֗יִם3 of 16

Ephraim

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

אֲמַגֶּנְךָ֙4 of 16

how shall I deliver

H4042

properly, to shield; encompass with; figuratively, to rescue, to hand safely over (i.e., surrender)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל5 of 16

thee Israel

H3478

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

אֵ֚יךְ6 of 16
H349

how? or how!; also where

אֶתֶּנְךָ֣7 of 16

How shall I give thee up

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

כְאַדְמָ֔ה8 of 16

thee as Admah

H126

admah, a place near the dead sea

אֲשִֽׂימְךָ֖9 of 16

how shall I set

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

כִּצְבֹאיִ֑ם10 of 16

thee as Zeboim

H6636

tseboim or tsebijim, a place in palestine

נֶהְפַּ֤ךְ11 of 16

is turned

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

עָלַי֙12 of 16
H5921

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

לִבִּ֔י13 of 16

mine heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

יַ֖חַד14 of 16

together

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

נִכְמְר֥וּ15 of 16

are kindled

H3648

properly, to intertwine or contract, i.e., (by implication) to shrivel (as with heat); figuratively, to be deeply affected with passion (love or pity)

נִחוּמָֽי׃16 of 16

within me my repentings

H5150

properly, consoled; abstractly, solace


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 11:8 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 11:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study