King James Version

What Does Hosea 5:13 Mean?

Hosea 5:13 in the King James Version says “When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb : yet ... — study this verse from Hosea chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb : yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound. king Jareb: or, the king of Jareb: or, the king that should plead

Hosea 5:13 · KJV


Context

11

Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.

12

Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness. rottenness: or, a worm

13

When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb : yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound. king Jareb: or, the king of Jareb: or, the king that should plead

14

For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.

15

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. acknowledge: Heb. be guilty


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Failed alliances: 'When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.' Recognizing illness (חֳלִי, choli) and wound (מָזוֹר, mazor), Israel sought help from Assyria and 'king Jareb' (likely title meaning 'great king' or possibly Jareb is scornful name meaning 'contender'). But political alliances cannot heal spiritual diseases. Human solutions fail for divine problems. Isaiah similarly condemns trusting Egypt rather than God (Isaiah 30:1-3, 31:1-3). Only Christ heals our spiritual wounds (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24). The irony: seeking help from eventual destroyer—Assyria would annihilate northern Israel.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historically, both Israel and Judah sought Assyrian help. Menahem paid tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III (2 Kings 15:19-20). Pekah allied with Syria against Assyria (2 Kings 15:37). Hoshea initially rebelled then submitted (2 Kings 17:3-4). Ahaz of Judah appealed to Assyria against Syria-Israel coalition (2 Kings 16:7-9). Each alliance proved disastrous: Assyria exacted tribute, demanded vassalage, eventually destroyed northern kingdom entirely. This demonstrates that political machinations cannot solve problems rooted in spiritual unfaithfulness. Only returning to God brings healing. Church history parallels: seeking worldly power and political alliances rather than spiritual reformation inevitably weakens the church.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do people persistently seek human solutions for spiritual problems, and what does this reveal about unbelief?
  2. How does seeking healing from 'Assyria' (worldly powers) rather than God compound rather than solve problems?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיַּ֨רְא1 of 24

saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙2 of 24

Ephraim

H669

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

אֶת3 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חָלְי֗וֹ4 of 24

his sickness

H2483

malady, anxiety, calamity

וִֽיהוּדָה֙5 of 24

and Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אֶת6 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מָזֽוֹר׃7 of 24

saw his wound

H4205

a bandage, i.e., remedy; hence, a sore (as needing a compress)

וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ8 of 24
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙9 of 24

Ephraim

H669

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

אֶל10 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַשּׁ֔וּר11 of 24

to the Assyrian

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

וַיִּשְׁלַ֖ח12 of 24

and sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֶל13 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מֶ֣לֶךְ14 of 24

to king

H4428

a king

יָרֵ֑ב15 of 24

Jareb

H3377

jareb, a symbolical name for assyria

וְה֗וּא16 of 24
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

לֹ֤א17 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יוּכַל֙18 of 24

yet could

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לִרְפֹּ֣א19 of 24

he not heal

H7495

properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure

לָכֶ֔ם20 of 24
H0
וְלֹֽא21 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִגְהֶ֥ה22 of 24

you nor cure

H1455

to remove (a bandage from a wound, i.e., heal it)

מִכֶּ֖ם23 of 24
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

מָזֽוֹר׃24 of 24

saw his wound

H4205

a bandage, i.e., remedy; hence, a sore (as needing a compress)


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 5:13 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 5:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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