Hosea 11:6 Meaning and Explanation
“And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →War will settle on Israel's cities and consume them, the bitter fruit of their own plans apart from God.
What Does Hosea 11:6 Mean?
The judgment is described as a sword that will not pass quickly but 'abide' on the cities, cutting down their defenses and devouring the people. The phrase 'because of their own counsels' names the cause: the nation's self-made schemes, its alliances and idolatries, chosen over trust in God.
Scripture is honest that choices bear weight. When a people lean on their own counsel and turn from the One who loves them, they reap the harvest they have sown. The verse is not God's delight but God's warning, and even here the underlying ache is for a people who would not be saved from themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hosea 11:6
What does Hosea 11:6 mean?
War will settle on Israel's cities and consume them, the bitter fruit of their own plans apart from God.