King James Version

What Does Hosea 5:14 Mean?

Hosea 5:14 in the King James Version says “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 wil...” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Hosea 5:14 · KJV

Context

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God as predator: '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.' The escalation from moth/rottenness (v.12) to lion (שַׁחַל, shachal) and young lion (כְּפִיר, kefir) intensifies judgment imagery. God Himself becomes devouring predator. The emphatic repetition אָנֹכִי אָנֹכִי (anokhi anokhi, 'I, even I') stresses divine agency—not Assyria but YHWH Himself executing judgment through historical means. The progression—tear (טָרַף, taraph), depart, carry off, none rescues—depicts complete, irreversible destruction. This terrifying image shows that fighting against God ensures defeat. Yet paradoxically, Christ is also Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5) who conquers through self-sacrifice, not devouring others but being devoured for others.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Lion imagery for God appears throughout Scripture (Job 10:16, Lamentations 3:10, Amos 1:2, 3:8). As creator of all, God stands above all creatures, able to use any image to describe His actions. The historical fulfillment came through Assyria (for Israel) and Babylon (for Judah)—nations God explicitly calls 'my servant' (Jeremiah 25:9, 27:6, 43:10). God's sovereignty means He orchestrates historical events to accomplish covenant purposes. The completeness of destruction ('none shall rescue') proved accurate: no alliance, military effort, or political scheme prevented northern kingdom's obliteration. This demonstrates that opposing divine purposes ensures defeat, but submitting to divine discipline (even painful) leads ultimately to restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the terrifying image of God as lion demonstrate the seriousness of covenant violation and divine holiness?
  2. What is the relationship between God executing judgment (as lion) and Christ bearing judgment (as Lamb of God)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
כִּ֣י1 of 14
H3588

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

אָנֹכִ֤י2 of 14
H595

i

כַשַּׁ֙חַל֙3 of 14

“as a lion”

H7826

a lion (from his characteristic roar)

לְאֶפְרַ֔יִם4 of 14

“For I will be unto Ephraim”

H669

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

וְכַכְּפִ֖יר5 of 14

“and as a young lion”

H3715

a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane)

לְבֵ֣ית6 of 14

“to the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוּדָ֑ה7 of 14

“of Judah”

H3063

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

אֲנִ֨י8 of 14
H589

i

אֲנִ֤י9 of 14
H589

i

אֶטְרֹף֙10 of 14

“I even I will tear”

H2963

to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels)

וְאֵלֵ֔ךְ11 of 14
H1980

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

אֶשָּׂ֖א12 of 14

“I will take away”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

וְאֵ֥ין13 of 14
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מַצִּֽיל׃14 of 14

“and none shall rescue”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

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 5:14 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 5:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 7:2Micah 5:8Hosea 13:7-8Psalms 50:22Isaiah 5:29Amos 3:4-8

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