Hosea 7:16 Meaning and Explanation
“They return, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →They turn, but not to God; like a faulty bow they fail, and their proud-tongued princes will fall and be mocked.
What Does Hosea 7:16 Mean?
The chapter closes with a final verdict. The people turn, but not upward to the Most High; their repentance misfires like a warped bow that sends the arrow astray. Their princes, whose tongues raged with insolence, will fall by the sword, and the nation that trusted in Egypt will become a byword of scorn there.
A half-turn that is not toward God is no return at all. The image of the faithless bow warns that good intentions aimed in the wrong direction still miss the mark. True repentance turns fully toward the Most High, who receives every heart that aims itself at last upon Him.
Hosea 7:16 in the Original Language
remiyyah (רְמִיָּה), 'deceitful' -- treacherous or slack, used of a bow that fails the archer at the crucial moment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hosea 7:16
What does Hosea 7:16 mean?
They turn, but not to God; like a faulty bow they fail, and their proud-tongued princes will fall and be mocked.