Hosea 14:5
I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
Original Language Analysis
אֶהְיֶ֤ה
H1961
אֶהְיֶ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 8
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
unto Israel
H3478
לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
unto Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 8
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יִפְרַ֖ח
he shall grow
H6524
יִפְרַ֖ח
he shall grow
Strong's:
H6524
Word #:
4 of 8
to break forth as a bud, i.e., bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as extending the wings); figuratively, to flourish
כַּשּֽׁוֹשַׁנָּ֑ה
as the lily
H7799
כַּשּֽׁוֹשַׁנָּ֑ה
as the lily
Strong's:
H7799
Word #:
5 of 8
a lily (from its whiteness), as a flower of architectural ornament; also a (straight) trumpet (from the tubular shape)
וְיַ֥ךְ
and cast forth
H5221
וְיַ֥ךְ
and cast forth
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
6 of 8
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Isaiah 35:2It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.Isaiah 27:6He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.Ephesians 3:17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,Psalms 72:16There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.Job 29:19My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.Matthew 6:28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:Deuteronomy 32:2My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
Historical Context
Israel's climate required dew for agriculture - without rain in dry season, night dew sustained crops. God promising to be dew means reliable provision. Lily's rapid spring growth and Lebanon cedar's deep roots combining beauty, growth, and stability. Post-exilic return partially fulfilled this; full realization awaits Christ's kingdom. Modern application: spiritual growth requires God's refreshing presence. Self-effort produces nothing; divine dew enables flourishing. Only abiding in Christ produces fruit (John 15:4-5).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God being like dew (gentle, essential, life-giving) differ from my attempts at self-generated spiritual growth?
- What does combining lily growth (beauty) with Lebanon roots (stability) teach about balanced spiritual maturity?
Analysis & Commentary
I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. God promises to be like dew - gentle, refreshing, life-giving moisture. Result: Israel grows like lily (beauty, rapid growth) and sends roots like Lebanon cedars (depth, stability). This reverses earlier judgment imagery (becoming like morning dew that vanishes, 13:3). Now God is dew bringing life. Only divine presence enables growth. Christ is living water (John 4:10, 7:38) producing spiritual flourishing.