Hosea 11:6

Authorized King James Version

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And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

Original Language Analysis

וְחָלָ֥ה shall abide H2342
וְחָלָ֥ה shall abide
Strong's: H2342
Word #: 1 of 7
properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e., (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; fi
חֶ֙רֶב֙ And the sword H2719
חֶ֙רֶב֙ And the sword
Strong's: H2719
Word #: 2 of 7
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
בְּעָרָ֔יו on his cities H5892
בְּעָרָ֔יו on his cities
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 3 of 7
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְכִלְּתָ֥ה and shall consume H3615
וְכִלְּתָ֥ה and shall consume
Strong's: H3615
Word #: 4 of 7
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
בַדָּ֖יו his branches H905
בַדָּ֖יו his branches
Strong's: H905
Word #: 5 of 7
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
וְאָכָ֑לָה and devour H398
וְאָכָ֑לָה and devour
Strong's: H398
Word #: 6 of 7
to eat (literally or figuratively)
מִֽמֹּעֲצ֖וֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ them because of their own counsels H4156
מִֽמֹּעֲצ֖וֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ them because of their own counsels
Strong's: H4156
Word #: 7 of 7
a purpose

Analysis & Commentary

Sword in cities: 'And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.' The חֶרֶב (cherev, sword) will חָלָה (chalah, abide/whirl) on cities, consume בַּדָּיו (baddav, branches/bars), and devour—because of מִמֹּעֲצוֹתֵיהֶם (mimmo'atsoteihem, their counsels). This demonstrates that human wisdom apart from God leads to destruction. Their schemes—political alliances, false worship, social injustice—produce sword that devours. Only Christ's counsel brings life (John 6:68).

Historical Context

The 'sword abiding on cities' describes prolonged warfare characterizing Israel's final decades: Assyrian campaigns systematically conquering cities. 'Branches' may reference leadership or fortified towns—systematically destroyed. Archaeological evidence shows destruction layers at numerous northern sites from Assyrian conquests: Megiddo, Hazor, Samaria. The phrase 'because of their own counsels' attributes destruction to their strategies: alliance-shifting, covenant-breaking, God-ignoring plans. This demonstrates that ignoring divine wisdom in favor of human scheming ensures disaster. Proverbs extensively teaches this principle: wisdom brings life, folly brings death.

Questions for Reflection