Hosea 5:13
When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֨רְא
saw
H7200
וַיַּ֨רְא
saw
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 24
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙
Ephraim
H669
אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙
Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
2 of 24
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וִֽיהוּדָה֙
and Judah
H3063
וִֽיהוּדָה֙
and Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
5 of 24
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מָזֽוֹר׃
saw his wound
H4205
מָזֽוֹר׃
saw his wound
Strong's:
H4205
Word #:
7 of 24
a bandage, i.e., remedy; hence, a sore (as needing a compress)
וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ
H1980
וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 24
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙
Ephraim
H669
אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙
Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
9 of 24
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
אַשּׁ֔וּר
to the Assyrian
H804
אַשּׁ֔וּר
to the Assyrian
Strong's:
H804
Word #:
11 of 24
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
וַיִּשְׁלַ֖ח
and sent
H7971
וַיִּשְׁלַ֖ח
and sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
12 of 24
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וְה֗וּא
H1931
וְה֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
16 of 24
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
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יוּכַל֙
yet could
H3201
יוּכַל֙
yet could
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
18 of 24
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
לִרְפֹּ֣א
he not heal
H7495
לִרְפֹּ֣א
he not heal
Strong's:
H7495
Word #:
19 of 24
properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
21 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִגְהֶ֥ה
you nor cure
H1455
יִגְהֶ֥ה
you nor cure
Strong's:
H1455
Word #:
22 of 24
to remove (a bandage from a wound, i.e., heal it)
Cross References
Hosea 7:11Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.Hosea 12:1Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.Hosea 10:6It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.Jeremiah 30:12For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.Hosea 8:9For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.2 Kings 15:19And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
Historical Context
Historically, both Israel and Judah sought Assyrian help. Menahem paid tribute to Tiglath-Pileser III (2 Kings 15:19-20). Pekah allied with Syria against Assyria (2 Kings 15:37). Hoshea initially rebelled then submitted (2 Kings 17:3-4). Ahaz of Judah appealed to Assyria against Syria-Israel coalition (2 Kings 16:7-9). Each alliance proved disastrous: Assyria exacted tribute, demanded vassalage, eventually destroyed northern kingdom entirely. This demonstrates that political machinations cannot solve problems rooted in spiritual unfaithfulness. Only returning to God brings healing. Church history parallels: seeking worldly power and political alliances rather than spiritual reformation inevitably weakens the church.
Questions for Reflection
- Why do people persistently seek human solutions for spiritual problems, and what does this reveal about unbelief?
- How does seeking healing from 'Assyria' (worldly powers) rather than God compound rather than solve problems?
Analysis & Commentary
Failed alliances: 'When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.' Recognizing illness (חֳלִי, choli) and wound (מָזוֹר, mazor), Israel sought help from Assyria and 'king Jareb' (likely title meaning 'great king' or possibly Jareb is scornful name meaning 'contender'). But political alliances cannot heal spiritual diseases. Human solutions fail for divine problems. Isaiah similarly condemns trusting Egypt rather than God (Isaiah 30:1-3, 31:1-3). Only Christ heals our spiritual wounds (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24). The irony: seeking help from eventual destroyer—Assyria would annihilate northern Israel.