Hosea 10:6 - It also will be carried to Assyria for a present to a great king. Ephraim will receive shame, and Israel will be ashamed of his own counsel.

Generated Verse: Hosea 10:6

What does "Hosea 10:6" mean?


Hosea 10:6 speaks of political and religious consequences for the kingdom of Israel, specifically referring to Ephraim (a dominant tribe representing the northern kingdom). Let's break down the meaning:

"It also will be carried to Assyria for a present to a great king." This "it" most likely refers to the idol of Bethel (mentioned in Hosea 10:5), a golden calf that the Israelites worshipped. It's being taken as tribute or a trophy to the king of Assyria. This signifies:
Defeat and Submission: Israel's inability to protect its idol shows their military weakness and their submission to Assyria.
Valuable Loot: Assyria, a rising superpower, takes the idol as spoils of war, a symbol of its victory.
Worthless Idol: The object of their worship is treated as a mere item of tribute, highlighting its powerlessness and worthlessness.

"Ephraim will receive shame, and Israel will be ashamed of his own counsel."
Shame and Humiliation: Ephraim, representing the northern kingdom of Israel, will feel shame because of their loss and subjugation. Their political decisions and religious practices led to this disastrous outcome.
Bad Counsel: Israel made a disastrous decision to depend on alliances with other nations (rather than relying on God) and to embrace idolatry. They are now ashamed of these decisions that led to their downfall.
Realization of Error: This is a moment of painful realization. The Israelites are forced to recognize the error of their ways. Their political strategies and their apostasy have resulted in national humiliation.

In essence, the verse describes the consequences of Israel's choices:

Political Consequences: Their failed alliances and strategies lead to conquest by Assyria and being forced to pay tribute.
Religious Consequences: Their idolatry is exposed as futile, as the idol they worshiped is taken away as loot by a foreign power.
Emotional Consequences: They will feel shame and regret for the choices they made that brought about this disaster.

This verse serves as a warning about the dangers of turning away from God and the importance of making wise and righteous decisions. The destruction and shame that befell Israel are a direct result of their disobedience and reliance on earthly powers rather than divine guidance.

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