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. Samaria will bear her guiltThe phrase "Samaria will bear her guilt" refers to the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, representing the entire nation. The Hebrew root for "bear" (נָשָׂא, nasa) implies carrying a burden or responsibility. In this context, it signifies the inevitable consequence of sin and rebellion against God. Historically, Samaria was a center of idolatry and political intrigue, leading to its downfall. The phrase serves as a sobering reminder of the personal and communal responsibility for sin and the justice of God in holding nations accountable. for she has rebelled against her God
The word "rebelled" (מָרָה, marah) in Hebrew conveys a sense of defiance and disobedience. This rebellion is not merely against a set of rules but against a personal relationship with God. The historical context shows Israel's repeated turning away from Yahweh to worship Baal and other deities, breaking the covenant established with their God. This phrase underscores the gravity of turning away from divine guidance and the personal nature of sin as a breach of relationship with God. They will fall by the sword
The imagery of "fall by the sword" is a common biblical expression for military defeat and destruction. The sword symbolizes war and divine judgment. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled when the Assyrian Empire conquered Samaria in 722 BC. The phrase serves as a stark warning of the consequences of national sin and the reality of divine retribution through historical events. their little ones will be dashed to pieces
This phrase is a graphic depiction of the horrors of war and the complete devastation that would come upon Samaria. The Hebrew word for "dashed" (רָטַשׁ, ratash) implies a violent shattering. It reflects the brutal practices of ancient warfare, where even the most innocent and vulnerable were not spared. This serves as a poignant reminder of the far-reaching consequences of sin, affecting even those who are innocent. and their pregnant women ripped open
The phrase "pregnant women ripped open" is a continuation of the brutal imagery associated with the judgment upon Samaria. It highlights the totality of the destruction and the loss of future generations. In the ancient Near East, such acts were meant to instill terror and demonstrate complete conquest. This phrase emphasizes the severity of divine judgment and the tragic outcomes of persistent rebellion against God. Persons / Places / Events 1. SamariaThe capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, representing the entire nation in this context. It was a center of idolatry and rebellion against God. 2. GodThe one true God of Israel, whom the people of Samaria have rebelled against. His justice and holiness are central to this passage. 3. The Assyrian InvasionThe historical event implied here, where the Assyrians conquered Samaria in 722 BC, leading to the destruction and exile of the Northern Kingdom. Teaching Points The Consequences of RebellionRebellion against God leads to severe consequences. Samaria's fate serves as a warning to all who turn away from God's commandments. The Holiness of GodGod's holiness demands justice. His actions against Samaria reflect His righteous nature and intolerance of sin. The Importance of RepentanceThe passage underscores the need for repentance. Even in judgment, God desires His people to return to Him. The Reality of Divine JudgmentGod's judgment is real and should not be taken lightly. It serves as a call to live in obedience and reverence. The Hope of RestorationWhile the passage is about judgment, the broader account of Hosea includes themes of restoration and hope for those who return to God. Bible Study Questions 1. What specific actions led to Samaria's downfall, and how can we avoid similar pitfalls in our own lives? 2. How does the historical context of the Assyrian invasion enhance our understanding of God's judgment in Hosea 13:16? 3. In what ways does this passage challenge our understanding of God's character, particularly His justice and mercy? 4. How can we apply the lessons of repentance and obedience from Hosea 13:16 to our personal walk with God? 5. What other biblical examples of divine judgment can we study to gain a fuller understanding of God's expectations for His people? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience to God's covenant, which is relevant to understanding the consequences faced by Samaria. 2 Kings 17Provides a historical account of the fall of Samaria and the reasons for God's judgment, including idolatry and rejection of His commandments. Isaiah 13Contains similar imagery of judgment against Babylon, showing that God's justice is consistent across nations. People HoseaPlaces Egypt, SamariaTopics Bear, Broken, Child, Cut, Dashed, Desolate, Fall, Ground, Guilt, Guilty, Held, Infants, Ones, Open, Pieces, Pregnant, Rebelled, Ripped, Rocks, Samaria, Sama'ria, Sucklings, Sword, Waste, WomenDictionary of Bible Themes Hosea 13:16 5733 pregnancy
5824 cruelty, examples
6174 guilt, human aspects
6222 rebellion, against God
7216 exile, in Assyria Library Destruction and Help
'O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in Me is thine help.'--HOSEA xiii. 9 (A.V.). 'It is thy destruction, O Israel, that thou art against Me, against thy Help' (R.V.). These words are obscure by reason of their brevity. Literally they might be rendered, 'Thy destruction for, in, or against Me; in, or against thy Help.' Obviously, some words must be supplied to bring out any sense. Our Authorised Version has chosen the supplement 'is,' which fails to observe the second occurrence with 'thy …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureLetter xxxvi (Circa A. D. 1131) to the Same Hildebert, who had not yet Acknowledged the Lord Innocent as Pope.
To the Same Hildebert, Who Had Not Yet Acknowledged the Lord Innocent as Pope. He exhorts him to recognise Innocent, now an exile in France, owing to the schism of Peter Leonis, as the rightful Pontiff. To the great prelate, most exalted in renown, Hildebert, by the grace of God Archbishop of Tours, Bernard, called Abbot of Clairvaux, sends greeting, and prays that he may walk in the Spirit, and spiritually discern all things. 1. To address you in the words of the prophet, Consolation is hid from …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux The Joyous Return
"When God's right arm is bared for war, And thunders clothe his cloudy car." e'en then he stays his uplifted hand, reins in the steeds of vengeance, and holds communion with grace; "for his mercy endureth for ever," and "judgment is his strange work." To use another figure: the whole book of Hosea is like a great trial wherein witnesses have appeared against the accused, and the arguments and excuses of the guilty have been answered and baffled. All has been heard for them, and much, very much against …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891 "For if Ye Live after the Flesh, Ye Shall Die; but if Ye through the Spirit do Mortify the Deeds of the Body, Ye Shall Live.
Rom. viii. s 13, 14.--"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." The life and being of many things consists in union,--separate them, and they remain not the same, or they lose their virtue. It is much more thus in Christianity, the power and life of it consists in the union of these things that God hath conjoined, so that if any man pretend to …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning How a Private Man must Begin the Morning with Piety.
As soon as ever thou awakest in the morning, keep the door of thy heart fast shut, that no earthly thought may enter, before that God come in first; and let him, before all others, have the first place there. So all evil thoughts either will not dare to come in, or shall the easier be kept out; and the heart will more savour of piety and godliness all the day after; but if thy heart be not, at thy first waking, filled with some meditations of God and his word, and dressed, like the lamp in the tabernacle …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety What the Scriptures Principally Teach: the Ruin and Recovery of Man. Faith and Love Towards Christ.
2 Tim. i. 13.--"Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." Here is the sum of religion. Here you have a compend of the doctrine of the Scriptures. All divine truths may be reduced to these two heads,--faith and love; what we ought to believe, and what we ought to do. This is all the Scriptures teach, and this is all we have to learn. What have we to know, but what God hath revealed of himself to us? And what have we to do, but what …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Thoughts Upon Striving to Enter at the Strait Gate.
AS certainly as we are here now, it is not long but we shall all be in another World, either in a World of Happiness, or else in a World of Misery, or if you will, either in Heaven or in Hell. For these are the two only places which all Mankind from the beginning of the World to the end of it, must live in for evermore, some in the one, some in the other, according to their carriage and behaviour here; and therefore it is worth the while to take a view and prospect now and then of both these places, …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life The Knowledge of God
'The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.' I Sam 2:2. Glorious things are spoken of God; he transcends our thoughts, and the praises of angels. God's glory lies chiefly in his attributes, which are the several beams by which the divine nature shines forth. Among other of his orient excellencies, this is not the least, The Lord is a God of knowledge; or as the Hebrew word is, A God of knowledges.' Through the bright mirror of his own essence, he has a full idea and cognisance …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Hosea
The book of Hosea divides naturally into two parts: i.-iii. and iv.-xiv., the former relatively clear and connected, the latter unusually disjointed and obscure. The difference is so unmistakable that i.-iii. have usually been assigned to the period before the death of Jeroboam II, and iv.-xiv. to the anarchic period which succeeded. Certainly Hosea's prophetic career began before the end of Jeroboam's reign, as he predicts the fall of the reigning dynasty, i. 4, which practically ended with Jeroboam's …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Hosea 13:16 NIVHosea 13:16 NLTHosea 13:16 ESVHosea 13:16 NASBHosea 13:16 KJV
Hosea 13:16 Commentaries
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