Hosea 1:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God foretells that He will break Israel's military strength in the very valley of Jezreel.
What Does Hosea 1:5 Mean?
This verse continues the word about Jezreel. The bow stands for Israel's armed might, its confidence in weapons and warriors. In the valley where blood was once shed, that strength will be broken. The place of past violence becomes the place where the nation's power fails.
There is a quiet lesson in where the breaking happens. What a people trust in apart from God will not hold. The valley named for sowing becomes a harvest of consequence. Yet even here judgment is measured and purposeful, meant not to destroy hope but to turn hearts back to the One in whom true security is found.
Hosea 1:5 in the Original Language
qeshet (קֶשֶׁת), 'bow' -- a symbol of military power and the strength a nation leans on.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hosea 1:5
What does Hosea 1:5 mean?
God foretells that He will break Israel's military strength in the very valley of Jezreel.