Hosea 13:5 Meaning and Explanation
“I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God recalls how He knew and cared for Israel in the barren wilderness after the Exodus.
What Does Hosea 13:5 Mean?
The LORD continues His recollection, now turning to the wilderness years. To know here means far more than to be aware of; it carries the warmth of covenant care and intimate attention. In a land of great drought, where the people could not have sustained themselves, God knew them, watched over them, and provided for them. The memory is tender, a reminder of love given when Israel had nothing to offer in return.
This backward glance carries a gentle ache. The God who sustained them in their most helpless season is the God they have now forgotten. Scripture treasures this kind of remembering, for the One who cared for His people in the desert has not changed. The verse assures every reader that God's knowing is personal and faithful, reaching into the driest stretches of life. To be known by Him in the wilderness is to be held when we are least able to hold ourselves.
Hosea 13:5 in the Original Language
yada (יָדַע), 'know' -- to know intimately and with covenant care, not merely to be aware of.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hosea 13:5
What does Hosea 13:5 mean?
God recalls how He knew and cared for Israel in the barren wilderness after the Exodus.