BibleWord.ai› Bible› Hosea› Chapter 11› Verse 6

Hosea 11:6

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Hosea 11:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the sword shall fall upon their cities, and shall consume their bars, and devour [them], because of their own counsels.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the sword shall fall upon their cities, and shall consume their bars, and devour [them], because of their own counsels.
Hosea 11:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Hosea 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3Yet I taught Ephraim to walk; I took them on my arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
4I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that lift up the yoke on their jaws; and I laid food before them.
5They shall not return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian shall be their king, because they refused to return [to me].
6And the sword shall fall upon their cities, and shall consume their bars, and devour [them], because of their own counsels.
7And my people are bent on backsliding from me: though they call them to [him that is] on high, none at all will exalt [him].
8How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I cast thee off, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboiim? my heart is turned within me, my compassions are kindled together.
9I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee; and I will not come in wrath.
← Hosea 11:5Hosea 11:7 →
← Full Chapter 11 Hosea Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the sword shall abide on the cities, etc.] Or “shall fall”f218, and continue; meaning the sword of the Assyrians, whereby Ephraim should be brought into subjection to them, and the king of Assyria become king over them; his sword should be drawn, and rest upon them, not only on their chief city Samaria, besieged three years by him, but upon all their other cities, which would fall into his hands, with the inhabitants of them: and shall consume his branches, and devour [them]; that is, the towns and villages adjoining to the cities; which were to them as branches are to a tree, sprung from them, and were supported by them; and, being near them, prospered or suffered as they did: some…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“abide--or, "fall upon" [CALVIN]. branches--villages, which are the branches or dependencies of the cities [CALVIN]. GROTIUS translates, "his bars" (so Lam 2:9), that is, the warriors who were the bulwarks of the state. Compare Hos 4:18, "rulers" (Margin), "shields" (Psa 47:9). because of their own counsels--in worshipping idols, and relying on Egypt (compare Hos 10:6).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the sword shall abide on his cities - Literally, “shall light, shall whirl” down upon. It shall come with violence upon them as a thing whirled with force, and then it shall alight and abide, to their destruction; as Jeremiah says, “a whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury, a grievous whirlwind; it shall fall grievously (literally, whirl down) on the head of the wicked” Jeremiah 23:19. As God said to David, after the murder of Uriah, “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thy house” 2 Samuel 12:10, so as to Israel, whose kings were inaugurated by bloodshed. By God’s appointment, “blood will have blood.” Their own sword first came down and rested upon them; then the sword…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“His branches - The lesser towns and villages. Their own counsels - Which they have followed in opposition to all the good counsels the prophets gave them from time to time. Hosea 11:7”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the sword: Hos 10:14, Hos 13:16; Lev 26:31, Lev 26:33; Deu 28:52, Deu 32:25; Jer 5:17; Mic 5:11 consume: Psa 80:11-16; Isa 9:14, Isa 18:5, Isa 27:10; Eze 15:2-7, Eze 20:47; Mal 4:1 because: Hos 10:6; Psa 106:39, Psa 106:43; Isa 30:1 Hosea 11:7”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Hosea 11 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification