Hosea 7:12
When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard.
Original Language Analysis
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יֵלֵ֗כוּ
H1980
יֵלֵ֗כוּ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 11
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶם֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כְּע֥וֹף
as the fowls
H5775
כְּע֥וֹף
as the fowls
Strong's:
H5775
Word #:
6 of 11
a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
of the heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
of the heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
7 of 11
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
אֽוֹרִידֵ֑ם
upon them I will bring them down
H3381
אֽוֹרִידֵ֑ם
upon them I will bring them down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
8 of 11
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
אַיְסִירֵ֕ם
I will chastise
H3256
אַיְסִירֵ֕ם
I will chastise
Strong's:
H3256
Word #:
9 of 11
to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct
Historical Context
Israel's attempts to escape through Egyptian/Assyrian alliances failed - God's 'net' (Assyrian conquest) caught them. Deportation fulfilled announced curses. That they 'heard' these warnings (Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28 publicly read, prophets repeatedly warning) means ignorance is no excuse. They knew consequences, proceeded anyway. Modern application: biblical warnings about sin's consequences aren't threats but merciful advance notice. Heeding them spares judgment; ignoring them guarantees it.
Questions for Reflection
- How do I respond to biblical warnings about sin's consequences - with repentance or presumption?
- What does inevitable capture despite attempts to escape teach about the futility of avoiding God's discipline?
Analysis & Commentary
When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard.' God becomes hunter spreading net - Israel trying to escape (through alliances) will be caught. 'Bring them down as fowls' suggests shooting birds from sky - sudden, inescapable capture. 'Chastise as their congregation heard' references covenant curses (Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28) publicly proclaimed. They were warned; judgment is not surprise but fulfillment of known consequences. This demonstrates covenant accountability: disobedience brings predictable results. Christ bore covenant curses for believers (Galatians 3:13), sparing us from this net.