Hosea 9:8
The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.
Original Language Analysis
צֹפֶ֥ה
The watchman
H6822
צֹפֶ֥ה
The watchman
Strong's:
H6822
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, to lean forward, i.e., to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await
אֶפְרַ֖יִם
of Ephraim
H669
אֶפְרַ֖יִם
of Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
2 of 13
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
עִם
H5973
עִם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
3 of 13
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
אֱלֹהָֽיו׃
of his God
H430
אֱלֹהָֽיו׃
of his God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 13
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
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דְּרָכָ֔יו
in all his ways
H1870
דְּרָכָ֔יו
in all his ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
10 of 13
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Cross References
Ezekiel 3:17Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.Hosea 5:1Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.Isaiah 62:6I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,Micah 7:4The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.
Historical Context
Israel's false prophets promised peace when judgment loomed (Jeremiah 6:14), leading people into complacency. Rather than calling to repentance, they justified sin. That hatred existed in God's house shows worship became battleground - true vs. false messages. Micah 3:5-7 similarly condemns prophets leading people astray. Modern application: false teaching traps people through deception. Only testing teachings against Scripture exposes snares. Bereans examined Scripture daily to verify truth (Acts 17:11). Vigilance against false teaching protects from deception.
Questions for Reflection
- How do I discern between faithful watchmen warning of danger and false prophets setting snares through deception?
- What does hatred in God's house teach about spiritual warfare over truth occurring even in religious contexts?
Analysis & Commentary
The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God. The watchman (prophet) should align with God, but instead became snare (trap) in all ways, spreading hatred even in God's house (temple/worship). This describes prophetic corruption - those commissioned to warn became deceivers. False prophets trap people through lies. Jeremiah 23 similarly condemns: prophets prophesy lies in my name. Only Christ is faithful Prophet, revealing truth. His apostles warn against false teachers (2 Peter 2, Jude).