Hosea 6:11
Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.
Original Language Analysis
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
יְהוּדָ֕ה
Also O Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֕ה
Also O Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
2 of 8
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
בְּשׁוּבִ֖י
for thee when I returned
H7725
בְּשׁוּבִ֖י
for thee when I returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
6 of 8
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Cross References
Joel 3:13Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.Job 42:10And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.Jeremiah 51:33For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon is like a threshingfloor, it is time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.Revelation 14:15And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.Psalms 126:1When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.Micah 4:12But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.Zephaniah 2:7And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.
Historical Context
Judah survived Israel's fall (722 BC) but eventually faced Babylonian exile (586 BC) - their 'harvest.' The return from exile (538 BC onward) included both blessing (restoration) and judgment (ongoing accountability, Ezra-Nehemiah reforms). Prophets to post-exilic community (Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi) continued calling for repentance. That Judah faced harvest despite Israel's judgment warns against presuming privilege exempts from accountability. Modern application: God's patience with some doesn't indicate approval; judgment postponed isn't judgment cancelled. Only repentance and faith avert coming harvest.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Judah's coming 'harvest' despite Israel's judgment warn against presuming God's patience indicates approval?
- In what ways does Christ transform judgment-harvest into blessing-harvest for those who trust Him?
Analysis & Commentary
Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.' Despite focus on Israel, Judah isn't exempt - God has 'set a harvest' (judgment) for them also. 'When I returned captivity' creates interpretive challenge: does return bring blessing or judgment? Likely both - restoration includes accountability. Judah will also face harvest (judgment for sin) even amid restoration promises. This warns: divine mercy to one group doesn't exempt others from accountability. All must give account (Romans 14:12). Yet 'harvest' can be positive (Matthew 13:30, gathering wheat). Through Christ, judgment-harvest becomes blessing-harvest for believers.