Hosea 11:9

Authorized King James Version

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I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

Original Language Analysis

לֹ֤א H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶֽעֱשֶׂה֙ I will not execute H6213
אֶֽעֱשֶׂה֙ I will not execute
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 2 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
חֲר֣וֹן the fierceness H2740
חֲר֣וֹן the fierceness
Strong's: H2740
Word #: 3 of 18
a burning of anger
אַפִּ֔י of mine anger H639
אַפִּ֔י of mine anger
Strong's: H639
Word #: 4 of 18
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָשׁ֖וּב I will not return H7725
אָשׁ֖וּב I will not return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 6 of 18
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לְשַׁחֵ֣ת to destroy H7843
לְשַׁחֵ֣ת to destroy
Strong's: H7843
Word #: 7 of 18
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
אֶפְרָ֑יִם Ephraim H669
אֶפְרָ֑יִם Ephraim
Strong's: H669
Word #: 8 of 18
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 9 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֵ֤ל for I am God H410
אֵ֤ל for I am God
Strong's: H410
Word #: 10 of 18
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
אָֽנֹכִי֙ H595
אָֽנֹכִי֙
Strong's: H595
Word #: 11 of 18
i
וְלֹא H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 12 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אִ֔ישׁ H582
אִ֔ישׁ
Strong's: H582
Word #: 13 of 18
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
בְּקִרְבְּךָ֣ in the midst H7130
בְּקִרְבְּךָ֣ in the midst
Strong's: H7130
Word #: 14 of 18
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
קָד֔וֹשׁ the Holy One H6918
קָד֔וֹשׁ the Holy One
Strong's: H6918
Word #: 15 of 18
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
וְלֹ֥א H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 16 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָב֖וֹא of thee and I will not enter H935
אָב֖וֹא of thee and I will not enter
Strong's: H935
Word #: 17 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בְּעִֽיר׃ into the city H5892
בְּעִֽיר׃ into the city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 18 of 18
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

Analysis & Commentary

Divine anguish: 'How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.' God's internal struggle: repeated אֵיךְ (eikh, how?). His לִבִּי (libbi, heart) turned within Him, נִחוּמַי (nichumai, compassions/repentings) kindled together. References to Admah and Zeboim (cities destroyed with Sodom, Deuteronomy 29:23) highlight potential total destruction. Yet God's compassion resists executing complete judgment. This demonstrates divine tension: justice demands judgment, mercy yearns for preservation. Only Christ resolves this tension: absorbing judgment, extending mercy (Romans 3:25-26).

Historical Context

This verse reveals profound theological truth: God is not unaffected by judgment He executes. The emotional language—heart turning, compassions kindling—shows divine anguish over necessary discipline. Admah and Zeboim, lesser-known cities destroyed with Sodom (Genesis 14:2,8; 19:24-25; Deuteronomy 29:23), serve as examples of total annihilation. That God questions making Ephraim like them demonstrates restraint: though deserving complete destruction, mercy limits judgment. Church history shows similar divine patience: deserving total destruction, societies experience partial judgment allowing repentance opportunity. This demonstrates that God's judgments, though certain, are restrained by mercy.

Questions for Reflection