What does Hosea 11:5 mean?
"¶ He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return." - Hosea 11:5
Hosea 11:5 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return."
In order to fully understand the meaning and depth of this verse, it is important to take into consideration its context within the book of Hosea. Hosea was a prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the reign of Jeroboam II. His prophetic ministry took place during a time of great moral and spiritual decay, as the people had turned away from the Lord and were worshiping idols. This had led to their eventual downfall and capture by the Assyrian Empire. Throughout the book, Hosea uses powerful and vivid imagery to convey the message of God's steadfast love for His people despite their unfaithfulness.
In Hosea 11, the prophet reflects on God's love for Israel, comparing it to the love of a father for his child. The chapter begins with God recalling how He had called His son, Israel, out of Egypt, demonstrating His tender care and protection for them as they journeyed through the wilderness. However, despite all of God's love and compassion, the people turned away from Him, choosing to worship idols and reject His commandments. This verse specifically addresses the consequences of their rejection and the impending judgment that would come upon them.
The verse speaks of Israel's refusal to return to God, symbolizing their persistent rebellion and refusal to repent. The imagery of Egypt and Assyria in this verse holds deep symbolic meaning. Egypt represents the bondage and slavery from which God had delivered His people, while Assyria represents the impending judgment and captivity that would come as a result of their disobedience. The mention of the Assyrian becoming their king serves as a foreshadowing of the Assyrian invasion that would later lead to the destruction of the Northern Kingdom and the exile of its people.
This verse also highlights the concept of divine judgment and the consequences of disobedience. Despite God's unwavering love for His people, He is also just and righteous, and will not tolerate continued rebellion and unfaithfulness. The Assyrian rule over Israel is a direct result of their refusal to return to God, and serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience. The verse serves as a warning to the people, urging them to repent and turn back to God before it is too late.
Overall, Hosea 11:5 serves as a powerful reminder of God's love, compassion, and justice. It conveys the depth of God's sorrow and disappointment in His people's rebellion, as well as the impending judgment that will come as a result of their refusal to return to Him. The verse prompts readers to reflect on their own relationship with God and the consequences of disobedience, while also highlighting the hope of restoration and reconciliation through repentance and returning to God.
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Hosea 11:5 - "¶ He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return."
"¶ He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return." - Hosea 11:5
Hosea 5:11 - "Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment."
Hosea 1:2-11;2:14;3:5
"Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment." - Hosea 5:11
Hosea 3:1-5
Hosea 12:5 - "Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial."
Hosea 11:11 - "They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD."
Hosea 5:12 - "Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Judah as rottenness."
Hosea 13:5 - "¶ I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought."
Hosea 14:5-6 – "I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily."
Hosea 9:5 - "What will ye do in the solemn day, and in the day of the feast of the LORD?"
Hosea 7:11 - "¶ Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria."
Hosea 5:5 - "And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them."
Hosea 1:5 - "And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel."
Hosea 8:11 - "Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin."
Hosea 11:3 - "I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them."
Hosea 13:11 - "I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath."
Hosea 11:1 - "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt."
Hosea 5:2 - "And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all."
Hosea 9:11 - "As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception."
Hosea 12:11 - "Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields."
Hosea 11:2 - "As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images."
Hosea 14:5 - "I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon."
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 11:12 - "Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints."
Hosea 5:8 - "Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Beth-aven, after thee, O Benjamin."
Hosea 5:7 - "They have dealt treacherously against the LORD: for they have begotten strange children: now shall a month devour them with their portions."
Hosea 5:15 - "¶ I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early."