Hosea 5:13 Meaning and Explanation
“When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Feeling their hurt, both kingdoms ran to Assyria for help instead of to God, and found no healing there.
What Does Hosea 5:13 Mean?
When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah saw his wound, the nations finally felt their condition. But instead of turning to the LORD, the true Physician, they went to the Assyrian and sent to king Jareb, seeking rescue through foreign alliances and tribute. The verdict is blunt: that power could not heal you, nor cure you of your wound. The remedy they chose had no power to save.
There is a deep human instinct, when we sense our hurt, to seek relief anywhere but from the One who can truly heal. Political might, wealth, or human cleverness can be the Assyrian we run to. Yet only the LORD binds up what sin has broken, and He sent the One who bore our griefs and by whose stripes we are healed. The sickness was real; the cure was always near; the tragedy was looking everywhere but home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hosea 5:13
What does Hosea 5:13 mean?
Feeling their hurt, both kingdoms ran to Assyria for help instead of to God, and found no healing there.