King James Version

What Does Hosea 8:10 Mean?

Hosea 8:10 in the King James Version says “Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of ...” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes. sorrow: or, begin a: or, in a little while”

Hosea 8:10 · KJV

Context

8

Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.

9

For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers. lovers: Heb. loves

10

Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes. sorrow: or, begin a: or, in a little while

11

Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.

12

I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Scattered and burdened: 'Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.' Israel 'hired' (תָּנוּ, tanu—gave gifts/tribute) among nations (buying alliances), yet God will 'gather' (קַבֵּץ, qabbets) them—but for judgment not blessing. They'll 'sorrow a little' (יָחֵלּוּ מְעָט, yachelu me'at) for burden (מַשָּׂא, massa) of מֶלֶךְ שָׂרִים (melekh sarim, king of princes—likely Assyrian king). This demonstrates irony: seeking help from nations results in oppression by nations. Human alliances apart from God produce bondage. Only Christ gathers His people for blessing, not burden (Matthew 23:37, John 11:52).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's foreign policy involved paying tribute to secure alliances or avoid attack: Menahem paid Assyria (2 Kings 15:19-20), Hoshea sent tribute to Assyria then secretly to Egypt (2 Kings 17:3-4). Each 'hiring' drained resources and demonstrated lack of trust in God. The 'king of princes' (Assyrian emperor, claiming sovereignty over lesser kings) imposed heavy burdens on vassals. The phrase 'sorrow a little' may indicate brief period before complete destruction, or ironic understatement. Historically, Assyrian vassalage was crushing: heavy tribute, deportations, political control. This demonstrates that seeking security in human powers rather than God ensures oppression.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does 'hiring among the nations' (seeking human alliances/solutions) rather than trusting God produce burdensome consequences?
  2. What contemporary Christian equivalents exist to seeking security in worldly powers rather than divine protection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
גַּ֛ם1 of 11
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

כִּֽי2 of 11
H3588

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

יִתְנ֥וּ3 of 11

“Yea though they have hired”

H8566

to present (a mercenary inducement), i.e., bargain with (a harlot)

בַגּוֹיִ֖ם4 of 11

“among the nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

עַתָּ֣ה5 of 11
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אֲקַבְּצֵ֑ם6 of 11

“now will I gather”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

וַיָּחֵ֣לּוּ7 of 11

“them and they shall sorrow”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

מְּעָ֔ט8 of 11

“a little”

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

מִמַּשָּׂ֖א9 of 11

“for the burden”

H4853

a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire

מֶ֥לֶךְ10 of 11

“of the king”

H4428

a king

שָׂרִֽים׃11 of 11

“of princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

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 8:10 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 8:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 16:37Ezekiel 26:7Isaiah 10:8Ezekiel 23:22-26Hosea 10:10Haggai 2:6

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