Hosea 2:18

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְכָרַתִּ֨י
H3772
will I make
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
#2
לָהֶ֤ם
H0
#3
בְּרִית֙
H1285
a covenant
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
#4
בַּיּ֣וֹם
H3117
And in that day
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
#5
הַה֔וּא
H1931
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
#6
עִם
H5973
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#7
חַיַּ֤ת
H2416
for them with the beasts
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
#8
הַשָּׂדֶה֙
H7704
of the field
a field (as flat)
#9
וְעִם
H5973
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#10
ע֣וֹף
H5775
and with the fowls
a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
#11
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
H8064
of heaven
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
#12
וְרֶ֖מֶשׂ
H7431
and with the creeping things
a reptile or any other rapidly moving animal
#13
הָֽאֲדָמָ֑ה
H127
of the ground
soil (from its general redness)
#14
וְקֶ֨שֶׁת
H7198
the bow
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
#15
וְחֶ֤רֶב
H2719
and the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#16
וּמִלְחָמָה֙
H4421
and the battle
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#17
אֶשְׁבּ֣וֹר
H7665
and I will break
to burst (literally or figuratively)
#18
מִן
H4480
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#19
הָאָ֔רֶץ
H776
out of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#20
וְהִשְׁכַּבְתִּ֖ים
H7901
and will make them to lie down
to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)
#21
לָבֶֽטַח׃
H983
safely
properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing covenant contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on covenant particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show treaty language and adoption practices from the ancient world, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection