Hosea 7:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Ephraim is like a foolish, senseless dove, fluttering to Egypt and then to Assyria instead of to God.
What Does Hosea 7:11 Mean?
Hosea compares Ephraim to a dove, easily frightened and easily lured, lacking sense. Caught between the great powers of the day, the nation flutters first toward Egypt and then toward Assyria, seeking security in foreign alliances rather than in the Lord.
The dove darts everywhere except home to its God. We do the same when fear sends us chasing every refuge but the true one. The verse invites the reader to notice where the anxious heart runs, and to bring that restlessness instead to the Lord, who alone is a sure and faithful shelter.
Hosea 7:11 in the Original Language
pathah (פָּתָה), 'silly' -- to be naive, gullible, or easily enticed, like one without discernment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hosea 7:11
What does Hosea 7:11 mean?
Ephraim is like a foolish, senseless dove, fluttering to Egypt and then to Assyria instead of to God.