Hosea 2:18
And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.
Original Language Analysis
וְכָרַתִּ֨י
will I make
H3772
וְכָרַתִּ֨י
will I make
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
1 of 21
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
בְּרִית֙
a covenant
H1285
בְּרִית֙
a covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
3 of 21
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
בַּיּ֣וֹם
And in that day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
And in that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 21
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֔וּא
H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
5 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
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
6 of 21
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
חַיַּ֤ת
for them with the beasts
H2416
חַיַּ֤ת
for them with the beasts
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
7 of 21
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וְעִם
H5973
וְעִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
9 of 21
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
ע֣וֹף
and with the fowls
H5775
ע֣וֹף
and with the fowls
Strong's:
H5775
Word #:
10 of 21
a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
of heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
11 of 21
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וְרֶ֖מֶשׂ
and with the creeping things
H7431
וְרֶ֖מֶשׂ
and with the creeping things
Strong's:
H7431
Word #:
12 of 21
a reptile or any other rapidly moving animal
וְקֶ֨שֶׁת
the bow
H7198
וְקֶ֨שֶׁת
the bow
Strong's:
H7198
Word #:
14 of 21
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
וְחֶ֤רֶב
and the sword
H2719
וְחֶ֤רֶב
and the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
15 of 21
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וּמִלְחָמָה֙
and the battle
H4421
וּמִלְחָמָה֙
and the battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
16 of 21
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָאָ֔רֶץ
out of the earth
H776
הָאָ֔רֶץ
out of the earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
19 of 21
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Cross References
Ezekiel 34:25And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.Isaiah 2:4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.Psalms 46:9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.Jeremiah 23:6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.Isaiah 65:25The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.Job 5:23For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.Zechariah 14:9And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.Isaiah 2:11The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.Isaiah 2:17And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.Isaiah 26:1In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.
Historical Context
Partial historical fulfillment came in periods of Israelite peace (Solomon's reign, post-exilic restoration), yet full realization awaits Christ's return. The promise transcends geopolitical peace, envisioning cosmic restoration. Early church understood Christ inaugurated but hasn't yet consummated this peace (already/not yet tension). Believers experience foretaste of peace through reconciliation with God (Romans 5:1) and each other (Ephesians 2:14-16), awaiting final peace when Christ returns to establish new creation. That God makes covenant 'for them' shows it's grace, not achievement—He secures peace on behalf of His people. This anticipates Christ's mediation: He secures new covenant on our behalf (Hebrews 7:22, 8:6, 9:15), accomplishing what we couldn't.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the promise of cosmic peace (including creation) shape my understanding of salvation's scope?
- What foretastes of this coming peace do I experience now through reconciliation with God and others in Christ?
Analysis & Commentary
Creation peace covenant: 'And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.' God promises Edenic restoration: covenant with animals recalls creation harmony before the Fall and Noah's covenant (Genesis 9:9-11). Breaking weapons and establishing safety fulfills Isaiah 11:6-9 (wolf dwelling with lamb) and 2:4 (swords into plowshares). This describes Messianic kingdom peace: Christ's reign eliminates warfare and restores creation to intended harmony. 'Lie down safely' echoes Levitical blessings (Leviticus 26:6). Hosea envisions reversal of curse—creation subjected to futility (Romans 8:19-22) awaits liberation through Christ. Ultimate fulfillment comes in new creation (Revelation 21:1-4) where curse is removed entirely (Revelation 22:3). God's redemptive plan encompasses not merely souls but all creation.