Hosea 9:12

Authorized King James Version

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Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֤י H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 2 of 13
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יְגַדְּלוּ֙ Though they bring up H1431
יְגַדְּלוּ֙ Though they bring up
Strong's: H1431
Word #: 3 of 13
to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵיהֶ֔ם their children H1121
בְּנֵיהֶ֔ם their children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 5 of 13
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְשִׁכַּלְתִּ֖ים yet will I bereave H7921
וְשִׁכַּלְתִּ֖ים yet will I bereave
Strong's: H7921
Word #: 6 of 13
properly, to miscarry, i.e., suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave (literally or figuratively)
מֵֽאָדָ֑ם them that there shall not be a man H120
מֵֽאָדָ֑ם them that there shall not be a man
Strong's: H120
Word #: 7 of 13
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 8 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
גַם H1571
גַם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 9 of 13
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
א֥וֹי left yea woe H188
א֥וֹי left yea woe
Strong's: H188
Word #: 10 of 13
lamentation; also interjectionally oh!
לָהֶ֖ם H0
לָהֶ֖ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 11 of 13
בְּשׂוּרִ֥י also to them when I depart H5493
בְּשׂוּרִ֥י also to them when I depart
Strong's: H5493
Word #: 12 of 13
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
מֵהֶֽם׃ H1992
מֵהֶֽם׃
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 13 of 13
they (only used when emphatic)

Analysis & Commentary

Woe to departed: 'Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there be not a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!' Even if children survive infancy, God will bereave (שִׁכַּל, shikkel—make childless) until אֵין אָדָם (ein adam, no man left). The climax: אוֹי־גַם־לָהֶם בְּשׂוּרִי מֵהֶם (oy-gam-lahem besuri mehem, woe also to them when I depart from them). Greatest judgment: divine departure. Presence withdrawn means blessing ended. Ezekiel witnessed glory departing temple (Ezekiel 10:18-19, 11:23). Only Christ's name—Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23)—guarantees permanent divine presence (Matthew 28:20).

Historical Context

The prophecy describes systematic population depletion through war, exile, and assimilation. Assyrian policy included deportation and foreign colonization, ensuring original population disappeared. The final 'woe when I depart' proves most devastating: God's protective presence withdrawn means total vulnerability. 1 Samuel 4:21—'Ichabod...The glory is departed from Israel'—anticipates this condition. When divine presence leaves, no human effort secures safety. Archaeological silence regarding northern tribes post-722 BC confirms complete disappearance. This demonstrated that God's presence, not human strength, constitutes true security. Losing divine favor means losing everything meaningful.

Questions for Reflection