Hosea 10

Berean Standard Bible

Chapter summary

As Israel's prosperity increased, the nation built more altars and sacred pillars, leading the Lord to announce their demolition because of their devious hearts. The people acknowledge their lack of a king due to their failure to revere the Lord, and their false covenants cause judgment to sprout like poisonous weeds. The inhabitants and priests of Samaria mourn the calf of Beth-aven as it is carried away to Assyria as tribute, bringing shame to Ephraim and Israel. Samaria and her king are swept away, the high places of Aven are destroyed, and the people call upon the mountains and hills to cover them. Recalling the persistent sin since the days of Gibeah, the Lord declares that nations will gather to bind Israel and Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob will be harnessed for labor. Because Israel plowed wickedness and trusted in their own ways and mighty men, the roar of battle will demolish their fortresses just as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel, resulting in the king of Israel being cut off at dawn.

Summary automatically generated from the Bible text.

Words of Jesus in red

¹Israel was a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for himself. The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars. The better his land produced, the better he made the sacred pillars. ²Their hearts are devious; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars. ³Surely now they will say, “We have no king, for we do not revere the LORD. What can a king do for us?” ⁴They speak mere words; with false oaths they make covenants. So judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field. ⁵The people of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn over it with its idolatrous priests— those who rejoiced in its glory— for it has been taken from them into exile. ⁶Yes, it will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will be seized with shame; Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols. ⁷Samaria will be carried off with her king like a twig on the surface of the water. ⁸The high places of Aven will be destroyed— it is the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!” ⁹Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel, and there you have remained. Did not the battle in Gibeah overtake the sons of iniquity? ¹⁰I will chasten them when I please; nations will be gathered against them to put them in bondage for their double transgression. ¹¹Ephraim is a well-trained heifer that loves to thresh; but I will place a yoke on her fair neck. I will harness Ephraim, Judah will plow, and Jacob will break the hard ground. ¹²Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion; break up your unplowed ground. For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain. ¹³You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your mighty men, ¹⁴the roar of battle will rise against your people, so that all your fortresses will be demolished as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel in the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children. ¹⁵Thus it will be done to you, O Bethel, because of your great wickedness. When the day dawns, the king of Israel will be utterly cut off.