Hosea 13:3

Authorized King James Version

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Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

Original Language Analysis

לָכֵ֗ן H3651
לָכֵ֗ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 1 of 12
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יִֽהְיוּ֙ H1961
יִֽהְיוּ֙
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 2 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כַּעֲנַן cloud H6051
כַּעֲנַן cloud
Strong's: H6051
Word #: 3 of 12
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
בֹּ֔קֶר Therefore they shall be as the morning H1242
בֹּ֔קֶר Therefore they shall be as the morning
Strong's: H1242
Word #: 4 of 12
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
וְכַטַּ֖ל dew H2919
וְכַטַּ֖ל dew
Strong's: H2919
Word #: 5 of 12
dew (as covering vegetation)
מַשְׁכִּ֣ים and as the early H7925
מַשְׁכִּ֣ים and as the early
Strong's: H7925
Word #: 6 of 12
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
הֹלֵ֑ךְ that passeth away H1980
הֹלֵ֑ךְ that passeth away
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 7 of 12
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
כְּמֹץ֙ as the chaff H4671
כְּמֹץ֙ as the chaff
Strong's: H4671
Word #: 8 of 12
chaff (as pressed out, i.e., winnowed or (rather) threshed loose)
יְסֹעֵ֣ר that is driven with the whirlwind H5590
יְסֹעֵ֣ר that is driven with the whirlwind
Strong's: H5590
Word #: 9 of 12
to rush upon; by implication, to toss (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
מִגֹּ֔רֶן out of the floor H1637
מִגֹּ֔רֶן out of the floor
Strong's: H1637
Word #: 10 of 12
a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area
וּכְעָשָׁ֖ן and as the smoke H6227
וּכְעָשָׁ֖ן and as the smoke
Strong's: H6227
Word #: 11 of 12
smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger)
מֵאֲרֻבָּֽה׃ out of the chimney H699
מֵאֲרֻבָּֽה׃ out of the chimney
Strong's: H699
Word #: 12 of 12
a lattice; (by implication) a window, dovecot (because of the pigeon-holes), chimney (with its apertures for smoke), sluice (with openings for water)

Analysis & Commentary

Transience like vapor: 'Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.' Four similes describe transience: כַּעֲנַן־בֹּקֶר (ka'anan-boqer, morning cloud), כַּטַּל מַשְׁכִּים (katal mashkim, early dew), כְּמֹץ (kemots, chaff) driven from threshing floor, כֶּעָשָׁן (ke'ashan, smoke) from window. All vanish quickly, leaving nothing. This demonstrates that life apart from God is vapor—substance and permanence require covenant relationship. Only Christ gives eternal life transcending transience (John 10:28).

Historical Context

Each metaphor draws from Palestinian climate and agriculture: morning clouds dissipate as sun rises; dew evaporates quickly; chaff blows away during winnowing; smoke disperses from cooking fires. All known to agricultural society, powerfully communicating evanescence. Applied to Israel: their apparent prosperity, strength, security—all temporary, vanishing when divine judgment arrives. Psalm 37:20, 68:2 use similar imagery. Archaeological evidence shows northern kingdom's prosperity ended swiftly in Assyrian conquest—within decades from peak prosperity to total disappearance. This demonstrates that human achievements apart from God lack permanence.

Questions for Reflection