Hosea 9:17

Authorized King James Version

My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.

Word-by-Word Analysis

יִמְאָסֵ֣ם

H3988

will cast them away

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

אֱלֹהַ֔י

H430

My God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

כִּ֛י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שָׁמְע֖וּ

H8085

because they did not hearken

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

ל֑וֹ

וְיִהְי֥וּ

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

נֹדְדִ֖ים

H5074

unto him and they shall be wanderers

properly, to wave to and fro (rarely to flap up and down); figuratively, to rove, flee, or (causatively) to drive away

בַּגּוֹיִֽם׃

H1471

among the nations

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?