Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Ephraim is blighted, their root is withered, they yield no fruit. Even if they bear children, I will slay their cherished offspring.” New Living Translation The people of Israel are struck down. Their roots are dried up, and they will bear no more fruit. And if they give birth, I will slaughter their beloved children.” English Standard Version Ephraim is stricken; their root is dried up; they shall bear no fruit. Even though they give birth, I will put their beloved children to death. Berean Standard Bible Ephraim is struck down; their root is withered; they cannot bear fruit. Even if they bear children, I will slay the darlings of their wombs. Berean Literal Bible Ephraim is stricken, their root has withered; they will not bear fruit. Even if they give birth, I will kill the precious ones of their womb. King James Bible Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb. New King James Version Ephraim is stricken, Their root is dried up; They shall bear no fruit. Yes, were they to bear children, I would kill the darlings of their womb.” New American Standard Bible Ephraim is stricken, their root is dried up, They will produce no fruit. Even though they give birth to children, I will put to death the precious ones of their womb. NASB 1995 Ephraim is stricken, their root is dried up, They will bear no fruit. Even though they bear children, I will slay the precious ones of their womb. NASB 1977 Ephraim is stricken, their root is dried up, They will bear no fruit. Even though they bear children, I will slay the precious ones of their womb. Legacy Standard Bible Ephraim is stricken; their root is dried up; They will bear no fruit. Even though they bear children, I will put to death the desirable ones of their womb. Amplified Bible Ephraim is stricken, their root is dried up, They will bear no fruit. Even though they give birth, I will slay the precious children of their womb. Berean Annotated Bible Ephraim (doubly fruitful) is struck down; their root is withered; they cannot bear fruit. Even if they bear children, I will slay the darlings of their wombs. Christian Standard Bible Ephraim is struck down; their roots are withered; they cannot bear fruit. Even if they bear children, I will kill the precious offspring of their wombs. Holman Christian Standard Bible Ephraim is struck down; their roots are withered; they cannot bear fruit. Even if they bear children, I will kill the precious offspring of their wombs. American Standard Version Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay the beloved fruit of their womb. Contemporary English Version Israel, you are a vine with dried-up roots and fruitless branches. Even if you had more children and loved them dearly, I would slaughter them all. English Revised Version Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay the beloved fruit of their womb. GOD'S WORD® Translation "The people of Ephraim are like sick plants. Their roots are dried up. They have no fruit. Even if they were to have children, I would kill their dear children." Good News Translation The people of Israel are like a plant whose roots have dried up and which bears no fruit. They will have no children, but even if they did, I would kill the children so dear to them." International Standard Version Ephraim is blighted; its roots shriveled. It can bear no fruit. Even if they bear children, I will kill their cherished offspring. NET Bible Ephraim will be struck down--their root will be dried up; they will not yield any fruit. Even if they do bear children, I will kill their precious offspring. New Heart English Bible Ephraim is struck. Their root has dried up. They will bear no fruit. Even though they bring forth, yet I will kill the beloved ones of their womb." Webster's Bible Translation Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yes, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleEphraim is struck down; their root is withered; they cannot bear fruit. Even if they bear children, I will slay the darlings of their wombs. World English Bible Ephraim is struck. Their root has dried up. They will bear no fruit. Even though they give birth, yet I will kill the beloved ones of their womb.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionEphraim has been struck, "" Their root has dried up, they do not yield fruit, "" Indeed, though they bring forth, "" I have put to death the desired of their womb. Berean Literal Bible Ephraim is stricken, their root has withered; they will not bear fruit. Even if they give birth, I will kill the precious ones of their womb. Young's Literal Translation Ephraim hath been smitten, Their root hath dried up, fruit they yield not, Yea, though they bring forth, I have put to death the desired of their womb. Smith's Literal Translation Ephraim was smitten, their root was dried up, they shall not make fruit: also if they shall bring forth, and I destroyed the desires of their womb. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleEphraim is struck, their root is dried up, they shall yield no fruit. And if they should have issue, I will slay the best beloved fruit of their womb. Catholic Public Domain Version Ephraim has been struck; their root has been dried out: by no means will they yield fruit. And even if they should conceive, I will execute the most beloved of their womb. New American Bible Ephraim is stricken, their root is dried up; they will bear no fruit. Were they to bear children, I would slay the beloved of their womb. New Revised Standard Version Ephraim is stricken, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit. Even though they give birth, I will kill the cherished offspring of their womb. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleEphraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bear children, I will cause them to die, even those who are tenderly beloved. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Aphreim struck a root and it dried up that it will not give fruit, and if they bear children, I shall put to death the lust of their loins OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Ephraim is smitten, Their root is dried up, They shall bear no fruit; Yea, though they bring forth, Yet will I slay the beloved fruit of their womb. Brenton Septuagint Translation Ephraim is sick, he is dried up at his roots, he shall in no wise any more bear fruit: wherefore even if they should beget children, I will kill the desired fruit of their womb. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Hosea Announces Israel's Punishment…15All their evil appears at Gilgal, for there I hated them. I will drive them from My house for the wickedness of their deeds. I will no longer love them; all their leaders are rebellious. 16Ephraim is struck down; their root is withered; they cannot bear fruit. Even if they bear children, I will slay the darlings of their wombs. 17My God will reject them because they have not obeyed Him; and they shall be wanderers among the nations.… Cross References Ephraim is struck down; Isaiah 7:8 For the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered as a people. Hosea 5:5 Israel’s arrogance testifies against them; Israel and Ephraim stumble in their iniquity; even Judah stumbles with them. Amos 5:2 “Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again. She lies abandoned on her land, with no one to raise her up.” their root is withered; Job 18:16 The roots beneath him dry up, and the branches above him wither away. Isaiah 5:24 Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes the straw, and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will decay and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. they cannot bear fruit. John 15:5 I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. Matthew 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Luke 13:6-9 Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. / So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ / ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it. … Even if they bear children, Deuteronomy 28:18 The fruit of your womb will be cursed, as well as the produce of your land, the calves of your herds, and the lambs of your flocks. Deuteronomy 28:41 You will father sons and daughters, but they will not remain yours, because they will go into captivity. Deuteronomy 28:32 Your sons and daughters will be given to another nation, while your eyes grow weary looking for them day after day, with no power in your hand. I will slay the darlings of their wombs. Hosea 13:16 Samaria will bear her guilt because she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open. Isaiah 13:16 Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished. 2 Kings 8:12 “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.” Isaiah 5:5-6 Now I will tell you what I am about to do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be consumed; I will tear down its wall, and it will be trampled. / I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and thorns and briers will grow up. I will command the clouds that rain shall not fall on it.” Jeremiah 11:16-17 The LORD once called you a flourishing olive tree, beautiful with well-formed fruit. But with a mighty roar He will set it on fire, and its branches will be consumed. / The LORD of Hosts, who planted you, has decreed disaster against you on account of the evil that the house of Israel and the house of Judah have brought upon themselves, provoking Me to anger by burning incense to Baal.” Treasury of Scripture Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yes, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb. their root. Hosea 9:11-13 As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception… Job 18:16 His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off. Isaiah 5:24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. the beloved fruit. Ezekiel 24:21 Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword. Jump to Previous Bear Beloved Birth Blighted Bodies Cherished Children Dearest Death Dried Ephraim E'phraim Forth Fruit Kill Offspring Ones Precious Rod Root Slay Smitten Stricken Struck Withered Womb YieldJump to Next Bear Beloved Birth Blighted Bodies Cherished Children Dearest Death Dried Ephraim E'phraim Forth Fruit Kill Offspring Ones Precious Rod Root Slay Smitten Stricken Struck Withered Womb YieldHosea 9 1. The distress and captivity of Israel for their sins.Ephraim is struck down; Ephraim, representing the northern kingdom of Israel, is depicted as being defeated or punished. This reflects the historical context of Israel's decline due to idolatry and disobedience to God. The name "Ephraim" often symbolizes the ten tribes of the northern kingdom, which faced conquest by Assyria in 722 BC. This phrase indicates divine judgment, aligning with the covenant curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28 for disobedience. their root is withered; they cannot bear fruit. Even if they bear children, I will slay the darlings of their wombs. Persons / Places / Events 1. EphraimRepresents the northern kingdom of Israel, often used as a synonym for Israel in the prophetic books. Ephraim was one of the largest and most influential tribes. 2. Hosea A prophet in the 8th century BC, called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to the northern kingdom of Israel. 3. Israel The northern kingdom, which fell into idolatry and was warned by prophets like Hosea about impending judgment. 4. Assyrian Captivity The event that Hosea's prophecies often point towards, where the northern kingdom was conquered and exiled by Assyria. 5. God's Judgment The overarching theme of Hosea 9, where God pronounces judgment on Israel for their unfaithfulness and idolatry. Teaching Points The Consequences of UnfaithfulnessJust as Ephraim's root is withered due to their idolatry, our spiritual lives can wither when we turn away from God. Faithfulness to God is essential for spiritual vitality. The Importance of Bearing Fruit God desires His people to bear fruit. In the New Testament, this is seen as the fruit of the Spirit. We must remain connected to Christ to bear lasting fruit. The Reality of Divine Judgment God's judgment is real and serves as a warning to turn back to Him. It is a call to repentance and renewal of our commitment to God. The Hope of Restoration While Hosea speaks of judgment, the broader account of Scripture offers hope for restoration. God is always ready to restore those who return to Him. The Role of Spiritual Leadership Ephraim's leaders led the people astray. Spiritual leaders today must guide their communities in truth and righteousness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Hosea 9:16?2. How does Hosea 9:16 illustrate the consequences of turning away from God? 3. What does "Ephraim is stricken" reveal about God's judgment on Israel? 4. How can we avoid the spiritual barrenness described in Hosea 9:16? 5. What other scriptures warn against the dangers of spiritual unfaithfulness? 6. How can we ensure our spiritual "roots" remain strong and fruitful? 7. What does Hosea 9:16 reveal about God's judgment on Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness? 8. How does Hosea 9:16 reflect the consequences of turning away from God? 9. In what ways does Hosea 9:16 challenge the belief in God's mercy? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Hosea 9? 11. What are Jacob's prophecies in the Bible? 12. What is the Tribe of Ephraim? 13. What does 'Lion of the Tribe of Judah' mean? 14. In Hosea 9:3, how does the claim that Israel would return to Egypt align with historical records that show no major return after the Exodus? What Does Hosea 9:16 Mean Ephraim is struck downHosea singles out the leading tribe of the northern kingdom, often called “Ephraim,” to show that judgment has already fallen. • The past-tense tone echoes Hosea 7:9, where strength “is gone,” signaling that God’s warnings have turned into events. • 2 Kings 17:5-6 records Assyria’s invasion and exile—living proof that the “striking down” was literal, not merely poetic. • Like Proverbs 29:1, repeated stiff-necked resistance meets a sudden, irremediable collapse. their root is withered A withered root speaks of life cut off at its source. • Isaiah 5:24 pictures roots rotting when a nation rejects the word of the LORD. • Psalm 1:3 contrasts the righteous, “planted by streams of water,” whose leaf does not wither. Ephraim’s root fails because they have abandoned that stream. • Without a healthy root, hope of future recovery disappears (cf. Job 18:16). they cannot bear fruit Fruitlessness is the inevitable outcome of a dead root. • In Hosea 8:7 Israel “sows the wind and reaps the whirlwind,” emphasizing empty harvests. • Jesus applies the same principle in Matthew 21:19, cursing the barren fig tree—an acted-out sermon echoing Hosea’s indictment. • Galatians 6:7-8 reminds believers that sowing to the flesh always ends in corruption, never in enduring fruit. Even if they bear children The prophecy presses further: suppose some outward signs of vitality remain. • Deuteronomy 28:18 warned that covenant disobedience would make “the fruit of your womb cursed.” Hosea now shows that word coming to pass. • In Amos 9:2-4 the LORD details the futility of escape; even the next generation cannot outrun judgment. • The conditional “even if” underscores God’s settled resolve—no natural means can reverse His righteous sentence. I will slay the darlings of their wombs The hardest line reveals how far sin’s consequences reach. • 1 Samuel 2:6 affirms, “The LORD brings death and gives life”; here He claims that prerogative in judgment. • Lamentations 2:20 and 4:10 describe siege conditions where children perish—historical scenes that fulfill Hosea’s words. • Yet Jeremiah 31:15-17 hints at future mercy beyond the sorrow: Rachel weeping has a promised “hope for your descendants,” showing judgment is severe but not God’s final word. summary Hosea 9:16 paints a sobering chain: strike, wither, barrenness, futile offspring, and ultimate loss. Each phrase moves from present collapse to future extinction, proving that persistent rebellion drains life at its root. Still, the broader prophetic record assures that the same God who judges also restores all who return to Him in humble repentance. (16) They shall bear no fruit.--Ephraim, whose very name signifies fruitfulness.Hebrew Ephraimאֶפְרַ֔יִם (’ep̄·ra·yim) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory is struck down; הֻכָּ֣ה (huk·kāh) Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5221: To strike their root שָׁרְשָׁ֥ם (šā·rə·šām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 8328: A root is withered; יָבֵ֖שׁ (yā·ḇêš) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3001: To be ashamed, confused, disappointed, to dry up, wither they cannot bear יַעֲשׂ֑וּן (ya·‘ă·śūn) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun Strong's 1077: A failure, nothing, not at all, lest fruit. פְּרִ֣י (pə·rî) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6529: Fruit Even גַּ֚ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and if כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction they bear children, יֵֽלֵד֔וּן (yê·lê·ḏūn) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage I will slay וְהֵמַתִּ֖י (wə·hê·mat·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill the darlings מַחֲמַדֵּ֥י (ma·ḥă·mad·dê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 4261: Delightful, a delight, object of affection, desire of their wombs. בִטְנָֽם׃ (ḇiṭ·nām) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 990: The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything Links Hosea 9:16 NIVHosea 9:16 NLT Hosea 9:16 ESV Hosea 9:16 NASB Hosea 9:16 KJV Hosea 9:16 BibleApps.com Hosea 9:16 Biblia Paralela Hosea 9:16 Chinese Bible Hosea 9:16 French Bible Hosea 9:16 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Hosea 9:16 Ephraim is struck (Ho Hs Hos.) |
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