King James Version

What Does Hosea 13:15 Mean?

Hosea 13:15 in the King James Version says “Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wildernes... — study this verse from Hosea chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels. pleasant: Heb. vessels of desire

Hosea 13:15 · KJV


Context

13

The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children. long: Heb. a time

14

I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. power: Heb. hand

15

Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels. pleasant: Heb. vessels of desire

16

Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels. Despite fruitfulness (prosperity, population), destructive east wind comes - hot desert wind representing Assyrian invasion. Spring and fountain drying means total resource loss. Spoiling treasure and vessels indicates comprehensive plunder. This reverses blessing to curse. All earthly security proves temporary. Only Christ provides water that never dries (John 4:14, spring of water welling up to eternal life) and treasure that doesn't spoil (Matthew 6:20, treasures in heaven).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's prosperity under Jeroboam II made them fruitful compared to neighbors. Yet Assyrian east wind destroyed everything - cities plundered, population deported, resources seized. Archaeological evidence confirms comprehensive destruction. The contrast between fruitfulness and devastation emphasizes judgment's thoroughness - nothing remains. Modern application: earthly prosperity provides no protection from divine judgment. All material security proves temporary. Only spiritual treasures endure. Christ's warning applies: where treasure is, there heart is also (Matthew 6:21). Invest in eternal kingdom, not temporary prosperity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does fruitfulness providing no protection from east wind's devastation warn against trusting earthly prosperity?
  2. What eternal springs and treasures in Christ contrast with temporary earthly resources that dry up or get spoiled?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
כִּ֣י1 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

ה֔וּא2 of 21
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

בֵּ֥ין3 of 21
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

אַחִ֖ים4 of 21

among his brethren

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

יַפְרִ֑יא5 of 21

Though he be fruitful

H6500

to bear fruit

יָב֣וֹא6 of 21

shall come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

קָדִים֩7 of 21

an east wind

H6921

the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)

ר֨וּחַ8 of 21

the wind

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

יְהוָ֜ה9 of 21

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

מִמִּדְבָּ֣ר10 of 21

from the wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

עֹלֶ֗ה11 of 21

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

וְיֵב֤וֹשׁ12 of 21

shall become dry

H954

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

מְקוֹרוֹ֙13 of 21

and his spring

H4726

properly, something dug, i.e., a (general) source (of water, even when naturally flowing; also of tears, blood (by euphemism, of the female pudenda);

וְיֶחֱרַ֣ב14 of 21

shall be dried up

H2717

to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill

מַעְיָנ֔וֹ15 of 21

and his fountain

H4599

a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)

ה֣וּא16 of 21
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יִשְׁסֶ֔ה17 of 21

he shall spoil

H8154

to plunder

אוֹצַ֖ר18 of 21

the treasure

H214

a depository

כָּל19 of 21
H3605

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

כְּלִ֥י20 of 21

vessels

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

חֶמְדָּֽה׃21 of 21

of all pleasant

H2532

delight


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 13:15 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 13:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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