Hosea 9:11 Meaning and Explanation
“As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Ephraim's glory will vanish as suddenly as a bird in flight, reaching even to birth, womb, and conception.
What Does Hosea 9:11 Mean?
Ephraim's glory once lay in its numbers and strength, a tribe full of life and promise. Hosea says that glory will fly off like a startled bird, gone in an instant. The loss reaches back through every stage of life, from birth to the womb to the very moment of conception, picturing a future cut short before it can begin.
The image is meant to sober a people who measured their worth by abundance and growth. Glory that rests on what can be counted is glory that can fly away. Earthly strength is a fragile thing, here and then gone, and no nation can hold it by its own grip. Lasting glory is found only in the God who gives life and holds the future, whose blessing does not take wing but abides for those who keep faith with him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hosea 9:11
What does Hosea 9:11 mean?
Ephraim's glory will vanish as suddenly as a bird in flight, reaching even to birth, womb, and conception.