Bible Strands
Hosea 10:6
Yes, it will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will be seized with shame; Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Hosea addresses the northern kingdom of Israel, specifically Ephraim and Samaria, during a period of political alliance-building and idolatry. He pronounces judgment on their reliance on foreign powers and false gods rather than on God.
The words — The Hebrew verb יוּבָל (yuVal) literally means "it will be carried," describing the forced transport of the idol to Assyria. The noun מִנְחָה (minChah) denotes a "tribute" payment, framing the idol as a diplomatic offering to the Assyrian king.
The thread — This theme of failed foreign alliances turning into shame appears in Isaiah 30:3, where reliance on Egypt becomes disgrace, and Hosea 5:13, where Ephraim's appeal to the "great king" of Assyria proves futile. The motif of idolatry yielding shame also echoes the reaction to the wooden idols in Hosea 10:6.
Why it lands — The text demands acknowledgment that political maneuvering and idol worship produce only humiliation, not security. Readers must confront the futility of trusting created objects or human powers over divine authority.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 30:3 But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace.
- Hosea 5:13 When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound.
- Jeremiah 7:24 Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.
- Daniel 11:8 He will take even their gods captive to Egypt, with their metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold. For some years he will stay away from the king of the North,
- 2 Kings 17:3 Shalmaneser king of Assyria attacked him, and Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute.
- Job 18:7 His vigorous stride is shortened, and his own schemes trip him up.
- Isaiah 1:29 Surely you will be ashamed of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be embarrassed by the gardens that you have chosen.
- Isaiah 44:9 All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame.
- Isaiah 45:16 They will all be put to shame and humiliated; the makers of idols will depart together in disgrace.
- Isaiah 46:1 Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal.