Hosea 14:8
Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
Original Language Analysis
אֶפְרַ֕יִם
Ephraim
H669
אֶפְרַ֕יִם
Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
1 of 14
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
ע֖וֹד
H5750
ע֖וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
4 of 14
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
לָֽעֲצַבִּ֑ים
shall say What have I to do any more with idols
H6091
לָֽעֲצַבִּ֑ים
shall say What have I to do any more with idols
Strong's:
H6091
Word #:
5 of 14
an (idolatrous) image
עָנִ֣יתִי
I have heard
H6030
עָנִ֣יתִי
I have heard
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
וַאֲשׁוּרֶ֗נּוּ
him and observed
H7789
וַאֲשׁוּרֶ֗נּוּ
him and observed
Strong's:
H7789
Word #:
8 of 14
to spy out, i.e., (generally) survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for
כִּבְר֣וֹשׁ
fir tree
H1265
כִּבְר֣וֹשׁ
fir tree
Strong's:
H1265
Word #:
10 of 14
a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood)
רַֽעֲנָ֔ן
him I am like a green
H7488
רַֽעֲנָ֔ן
him I am like a green
Strong's:
H7488
Word #:
11 of 14
verdant; by analogy, new; figuratively, prosperous
מִמֶּ֖נִּי
H4480
מִמֶּ֖נִּי
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
12 of 14
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
Job 34:32That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.Isaiah 55:13Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.Isaiah 41:19I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:Luke 15:20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.James 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.Isaiah 60:13The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.Job 33:27He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;Ephesians 5:9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)John 1:16And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.1 Thessalonians 1:9For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
Historical Context
Israel's history featured constant idolatry; this confession marks radical transformation. What have I to do with idols shows complete renunciation. God as green fir tree (evergreen, perpetually fruitful) contrasts with seasonal fruit trees - His provision never fails. That fruit comes from God corrects Israel's error of crediting Baal (2:5, 8). True restoration requires recognizing God as source of all blessing. Only new covenant regeneration produces such transformation.
Questions for Reflection
- Have I genuinely renounced all idols, confessing What have I to do with them, or do some remain?
- How does recognizing that from God alone is my fruit found transform my approach to spiritual growth?
Analysis & Commentary
Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. Ephraim's confession: finished with idols. God responds: I have heard and observed you. God's self-description: green fir tree (evergreen, always fruitful). Declaration: from me is thy fruit. This teaches source of fruitfulness - not self-effort but divine life. Christ taught: apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5). Only connection to Him produces fruit.