Hosea Chapter 10 · Verse 10

Authorized King James Version

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It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.

Original Language Analysis

בְּאַוָּתִ֖י It is in my desire H185
בְּאַוָּתִ֖י It is in my desire
Strong's: H185
Word #: 1 of 8
longing
וְאֶסֳּרֵ֑ם that I should chastise H3256
וְאֶסֳּרֵ֑ם that I should chastise
Strong's: H3256
Word #: 2 of 8
to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct
וְאֻסְּפ֤וּ shall be gathered H622
וְאֻסְּפ֤וּ shall be gathered
Strong's: H622
Word #: 3 of 8
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
עֲלֵיהֶם֙ H5921
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 4 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַמִּ֔ים them and the people H5971
עַמִּ֔ים them and the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 5 of 8
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בְּאָסְרָ֖ם against them when they shall bind H631
בְּאָסְרָ֖ם against them when they shall bind
Strong's: H631
Word #: 6 of 8
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
לִשְׁתֵּ֥י themselves in their two H8147
לִשְׁתֵּ֥י themselves in their two
Strong's: H8147
Word #: 7 of 8
two; also (as ordinal) twofold
עיֹנֹתָֽם׃ furrows H5869
עיֹנֹתָֽם׃ furrows
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 8 of 8
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

Cross References

Ezekiel 5:13Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken it in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.Jeremiah 16:16Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.Hosea 4:9And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.Isaiah 1:24Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:Jeremiah 21:4Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.Jeremiah 15:6Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting.Matthew 22:7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.Deuteronomy 28:63And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.Ezekiel 23:46For thus saith the Lord GOD; I will bring up a company upon them, and will give them to be removed and spoiled.Ezekiel 16:37Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.

Analysis & Commentary

Binding for double transgression: 'It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.' God's desire (בְּאַוָּתִי, be'avati): to discipline (אֶסְּרֵם, esrem—chastise/bind). Peoples gathered against them when bound בְּאָסְרָם לִשְׁתֵּי עֵינֹתָם (be'osram lishtei einotam, when binding them for their two eyes/transgressions). The 'two furrows/eyes' possibly references double sin (political and religious), two calves (Dan and Bethel), or thorough binding. This demonstrates divine intentionality in judgment: God actively orchestrates discipline. Yet discipline serves redemptive purpose (Hebrews 12:6-11).

Historical Context

The 'binding' imagery suggests yoking for discipline or imprisonment. Historically fulfilled through Assyrian conquest: God gathering nations against Israel for their sins. The 'two furrows' interpretation varies: perhaps political betrayal (alliance-shifting) and religious apostasy (calf worship), or reference to double portion of judgment. 'Peoples gathered' describes coalition warfare—Assyria mobilizing vassal armies against rebellious Israel. Archaeological evidence shows Assyrian campaigns involved multiple subject peoples contributing forces. This demonstrates that divine judgment often works through historical processes—God sovereign over international politics, using nations to execute His purposes.

Questions for Reflection