Key Verse Spotlight
Hosea 8:9 — Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing—and how to apply it today
King James Version
" For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers. "
Hosea 8:9
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.
Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.
For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.
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.
Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin.
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From This Chapter
Hosea 8:1
"Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law."
Hosea 8:2
"Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know"
Hosea 8:3
"Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue"
Hosea 8:4
"They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off."
Hosea 8:5
"Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?"
Hosea 8:6
"For from Israel was it also: the workman made it; therefore it is not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces."
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