Hosea 10:14

Authorized King James Version

Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְקָ֣אם
arise
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#2
שָׁאוֹן֮
Therefore shall a tumult
uproar (as of rushing); by implication, destruction
#3
בְּעַמֶּךָ֒
among thy people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#4
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#5
מִבְצָרֶ֣יךָ
and all thy fortresses
a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender
#6
יוּשַּׁ֔ד
shall be spoiled
properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
#7
כְּשֹׁ֧ד
spoiled
violence, ravage
#8
שַֽׁלְמַ֛ן
as Shalman
shalman, a king apparently of assyria
#9
בֵּ֥ית
H0
#10
אַֽרְבֵ֖אל
Betharbel
beth-arbel, a place in palestine
#11
בְּי֣וֹם
in the day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#12
מִלְחָמָ֑ה
of battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#13
אֵ֥ם
the mother
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
#14
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
בָּנִ֖ים
upon her children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#16
רֻטָּֽשָׁה׃
was dashed in pieces
to dash down

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing covenant community contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Hosea Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection