King James Version

What Does Hosea 9:6 Mean?

Hosea 9:6 in the King James Version says “For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places ...” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles. destruction: Heb. spoil the: or, their silver shall be desired, the nettle, etc.: Heb. the desire”

Hosea 9:6 · KJV

Context

4

They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.

5

What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?

6

For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles. destruction: Heb. spoil the: or, their silver shall be desired, the nettle, etc.: Heb. the desire

7

The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred. spiritual: Heb. man of the spirit

8

The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God. in the: or, against the

Read Hosea 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles. Prophecy of exile death: Egypt gathers (collects bodies), Memphis (Egyptian city) buries them. Pleasant places (homes) become overgrown with nettles and thorns - complete desolation. Reverses promised land blessings to curse imagery (Genesis 3:18, thorns/thistles). Only Christ removes curse, creating new creation where curse exists no more (Revelation 22:3).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Some Israelites fled to Egypt after Assyrian pressure (Jeremiah records similar Judean flight, Jeremiah 42-44). Many died there, buried in Memphis. Meanwhile, Israel became desolate - thorns overgrowing homes. Archaeological evidence shows 8th century abandonment of sites. This fulfilled covenant curse: enjoying others' labor, losing your own (Deuteronomy 28:30-33). Modern application: fleeing God's discipline into worldly refuge (Egypt) leads to death and loss. Only submitting to divine discipline brings restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. What Egypts (worldly refuges) am I fleeing to instead of submitting to God's discipline?
  2. How does imagery of pleasant places overtaken by thorns warn about consequences of abandoning God's ways?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
כִּֽי1 of 14
H3588

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

הִנֵּ֤ה2 of 14
H2009

lo!

הָֽלְכוּ֙3 of 14

“For lo they are gone”

H1980

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

מִשֹּׁ֔ד4 of 14

“because of destruction”

H7701

violence, ravage

מִצְרַ֥יִם5 of 14

“Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

תְּקַבְּצֵ֖ם6 of 14

“shall gather them up”

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

מֹ֣ף7 of 14

“Memphis”

H4644

moph, the capital of lower egypt

תְּקַבְּרֵ֑ם8 of 14

“shall bury”

H6912

to inter

מַחְמַ֣ד9 of 14

“them the pleasant”

H4261

delightful; hence, a delight, i.e., object of affection or desire

לְכַסְפָּ֗ם10 of 14

“places for their silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

קִמּוֹשׂ֙11 of 14

“nettles”

H7057

a prickly plant

יִֽירָשֵׁ֔ם12 of 14

“shall possess”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

ח֖וֹחַ13 of 14

“them thorns”

H2336

a thorn; by analogy, a ring for the nose

בְּאָהֳלֵיהֶֽם׃14 of 14

“shall be in their tabernacles”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

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 9:6 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 9:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 10:8Isaiah 5:6Isaiah 7:23Hosea 9:3Hosea 7:16Hosea 8:13

Places in This Verse

AssyriaRegion · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E141 verses across 15 books
EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
MemphisSettlement · Modern: Memphis · 29.85°N, 31.25°E8 verses across 4 books
View all places in Hosea 9 →

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