Hosea 13:15

Authorized King James Version

Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כִּ֣י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#2
ה֔וּא
H1931
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#3
בֵּ֥ין
H996
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#4
אַחִ֖ים
H251
among his brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#5
יַפְרִ֑יא
H6500
Though he be fruitful
to bear fruit
#6
יָב֣וֹא
H935
shall come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#7
קָדִים֩
H6921
an east wind
the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)
#8
ר֨וּחַ
H7307
the wind
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
#9
יְהוָ֜ה
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#10
מִמִּדְבָּ֣ר
H4057
from the wilderness
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
#11
עֹלֶ֗ה
H5927
shall come up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#12
וְיֵב֤וֹשׁ
H954
shall become dry
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
#13
מְקוֹרוֹ֙
H4726
and his spring
properly, something dug, i.e., a (general) source (of water, even when naturally flowing; also of tears, blood (by euphemism, of the female pudenda);
#14
וְיֶחֱרַ֣ב
H2717
shall be dried up
to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill
#15
מַעְיָנ֔וֹ
H4599
and his fountain
a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)
#16
ה֣וּא
H1931
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#17
יִשְׁסֶ֔ה
H8154
he shall spoil
to plunder
#18
אוֹצַ֖ר
H214
the treasure
a depository
#19
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#20
כְּלִ֥י
H3627
vessels
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
#21
חֶמְדָּֽה׃
H2532
of all pleasant
delight

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 divine sovereignty 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 divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection