Hosea 10:14 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →War will erupt and Israel's strongholds will be destroyed, as terrible as a remembered massacre where mothers and children perished together.
What Does Hosea 10:14 Mean?
The harvest of self-trust now ripens into disaster. An uproar of war will break out, and all Israel's fortresses will be plundered. Hosea recalls a notorious atrocity, Shalman's destruction of Betharbel, where even mothers and their children were killed, to convey the unsparing horror that is coming on a people who trusted in walls and armies.
Scripture does not soften the cost of sin, for the prophet means the warning to be felt. When a nation builds its security on violence and force, the violence it relied upon can turn and consume it. The grim verse drives the reader back to the only true refuge, away from fortresses that fall toward the God who is a stronghold that cannot be stormed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hosea 10:14
What does Hosea 10:14 mean?
War will erupt and Israel's strongholds will be destroyed, as terrible as a remembered massacre where mothers and children perished together.