What does Hosea 10:6 mean?
"It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel." - Hosea 10:6

The Bible verse Hosea 10:6 is a prophetic passage from the Old Testament that carries significant meaning and symbolism. The verse reads: "It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel." This verse is part of the larger context of the book of Hosea, which is a powerful book of prophecy and lamentation, addressing the unfaithfulness of Israel and the consequences of their actions.
The book of Hosea is set during a time of great turmoil and political upheaval in Israel. The Northern Kingdom of Israel, also known as Ephraim, had turned away from the worship of the one true God and had instead turned to idolatry and false gods. The prophet Hosea was sent by God to call the people of Israel to repentance and faithfulness, warning them of the impending judgment that would come as a result of their disobedience.
In Hosea 10:6, the mention of Assyria is significant as it is a reference to the powerful nation that posed a threat to the Kingdom of Israel. The prophet predicts that Israel will be brought low and humiliated, as they would have to give tribute to Assyria in order to avoid destruction. This verse speaks to the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness and the shame that would result from their actions. The mention of Ephraim, as the leading tribe of the Northern Kingdom, highlights the collective guilt and shame that would befall the entire nation.
One of the central themes of this verse is the consequences of sin and unfaithfulness. The people of Israel had turned away from God and had pursued their own desires and idols. As a result, they faced shame and humiliation, not only at the hands of their enemies but also in their own eyes. This verse serves as a warning to all who read it, reminding us that disobedience and turning away from God will always lead to negative consequences.
Another important theme in this verse is the concept of divine judgment. The prophet Hosea delivers a message of impending judgment and punishment for the people of Israel. The mention of Assyria as a tool of judgment serves to emphasize the severity of the consequences that would befall the nation. This theme reinforces the idea that God is just and righteous, and He will hold His people accountable for their actions.
The symbolism in this verse is also rich and significant. The mention of Assyria as a source of shame and punishment carries layers of meaning. Assyria was a symbol of power and domination in the ancient world, and their involvement in the affairs of Israel represented a grave threat. The act of providing tribute to Assyria was a humiliating admission of defeat and subjugation. This symbolism underscores the dire consequences that would result from Israel's unfaithfulness and the gravity of their situation.
In conclusion, Hosea 10:6 is a powerful and sobering verse that carries weighty themes of sin, judgment, and consequences. It serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God, as well as the reality of divine judgment for disobedience. The verse's symbolism and historical context provide depth and significance to its message, making it a profound and impactful passage within the book of Hosea.
Have questions about Hosea 10:6?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Hosea 10:6 Artwork
Hosea 10:6 - "It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel."
"It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel." - Hosea 10:6
Hosea 6:10 - "I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled." The image should not depict explicit or offensive content but be symbolic.
"I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled." - Hosea 6:10
Hosea 6:6 - "For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."
Hosea 6:8 - "Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood."
Hosea 14:5-6 – "I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily."
Hosea 10:7 - "As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water."
Hosea 10:10 - "It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows."
Hosea 6:7 - "But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me."
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."
Hosea 6:9 - "And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness."
Hosea 14:6 - "His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon."
Hosea 12:6 - "Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually."
Hosea 13:6 - "According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me."
Hosea 7:10 - "And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this."
Hosea 12:10 - "I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets."
"For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." - Hosea 6:6
Hosea 2:10 - "And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand."
Hosea 10:4 - "They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field."
Hosea 11:6 - "And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels."
Hosea 6:11 - "Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people."
Hosea 2:6 - "¶ Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths."
Hosea 5:6 - "They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them."
Hosea 8:10 - "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."
Hosea 10:3 - "For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?"
Hosea 10:2 - "Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images."
"Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood." - Hosea 6:8
Hosea 10:9 - "O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them."
Hosea 7:6 - "For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire."