Hosea 13:15

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ה֔וּא H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 2 of 21
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
בֵּ֥ין H996
בֵּ֥ין
Strong's: H996
Word #: 3 of 21
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
אַחִ֖ים among his brethren H251
אַחִ֖ים among his brethren
Strong's: H251
Word #: 4 of 21
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
יַפְרִ֑יא Though he be fruitful H6500
יַפְרִ֑יא Though he be fruitful
Strong's: H6500
Word #: 5 of 21
to bear fruit
יָב֣וֹא shall come H935
יָב֣וֹא shall come
Strong's: H935
Word #: 6 of 21
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
קָדִים֩ an east wind H6921
קָדִים֩ an east wind
Strong's: H6921
Word #: 7 of 21
the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)
ר֨וּחַ the wind H7307
ר֨וּחַ the wind
Strong's: H7307
Word #: 8 of 21
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
יְהוָ֜ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֜ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מִמִּדְבָּ֣ר from the wilderness H4057
מִמִּדְבָּ֣ר from the wilderness
Strong's: H4057
Word #: 10 of 21
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
עֹלֶ֗ה shall come up H5927
עֹלֶ֗ה shall come up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 11 of 21
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
וְיֵב֤וֹשׁ shall become dry H954
וְיֵב֤וֹשׁ shall become dry
Strong's: H954
Word #: 12 of 21
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
מְקוֹרוֹ֙ and his spring H4726
מְקוֹרוֹ֙ and his spring
Strong's: H4726
Word #: 13 of 21
properly, something dug, i.e., a (general) source (of water, even when naturally flowing; also of tears, blood (by euphemism, of the female pudenda);
וְיֶחֱרַ֣ב shall be dried up H2717
וְיֶחֱרַ֣ב shall be dried up
Strong's: H2717
Word #: 14 of 21
to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill
מַעְיָנ֔וֹ and his fountain H4599
מַעְיָנ֔וֹ and his fountain
Strong's: H4599
Word #: 15 of 21
a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)
ה֣וּא H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 16 of 21
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
יִשְׁסֶ֔ה he shall spoil H8154
יִשְׁסֶ֔ה he shall spoil
Strong's: H8154
Word #: 17 of 21
to plunder
אוֹצַ֖ר the treasure H214
אוֹצַ֖ר the treasure
Strong's: H214
Word #: 18 of 21
a depository
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 19 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כְּלִ֥י vessels H3627
כְּלִ֥י vessels
Strong's: H3627
Word #: 20 of 21
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
חֶמְדָּֽה׃ of all pleasant H2532
חֶמְדָּֽה׃ of all pleasant
Strong's: H2532
Word #: 21 of 21
delight

Analysis & Commentary

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. Despite fruitfulness (prosperity, population), destructive east wind comes - hot desert wind representing Assyrian invasion. Spring and fountain drying means total resource loss. Spoiling treasure and vessels indicates comprehensive plunder. This reverses blessing to curse. All earthly security proves temporary. Only Christ provides water that never dries (John 4:14, spring of water welling up to eternal life) and treasure that doesn't spoil (Matthew 6:20, treasures in heaven).

Historical Context

Israel's prosperity under Jeroboam II made them fruitful compared to neighbors. Yet Assyrian east wind destroyed everything - cities plundered, population deported, resources seized. Archaeological evidence confirms comprehensive destruction. The contrast between fruitfulness and devastation emphasizes judgment's thoroughness - nothing remains. Modern application: earthly prosperity provides no protection from divine judgment. All material security proves temporary. Only spiritual treasures endure. Christ's warning applies: where treasure is, there heart is also (Matthew 6:21). Invest in eternal kingdom, not temporary prosperity.

Questions for Reflection