Hosea 8:9 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

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

Hosea 8:9

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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. {stalk: or, standing corn}

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. {lovers: Heb. loves}

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}

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. {thy: Heb. the roof of thy}"

Hosea 8:2

"Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee."

Hosea 8:3

"Israel hath cast off {the thing that is} good: the enemy shall pursue him."

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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