Hosea 9:14
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Hosea 9:14
14 Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.
Chapter Context
Hosea 9 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, discipleship, love. Written during the final years of the northern kingdom (c. 755-710 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Israel faced imminent threat from Assyria while engaging in Canaanite religious syncretism.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-17: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it contributes to the biblical metanarrative of redemption. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Hosea and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Hosea 9:14
14 Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.
Analysis
Prayer for barrenness: 'Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.' Hosea's anguished prayer: תֵּן־לָהֶם יְהוָה מַה־תִּתֵּן (ten-lahem YHWH mah-titten, Give them, O LORD: what will You give?). Answer: רֶחֶם מַשְׁכִּיל וְשָׁדַיִם צֹמְקִים (rechem mashkil veshadayim tsomeqim, miscarrying womb and dry breasts). This shocking prayer requests covenant curse (Deuteronomy 28:18) as mercy—better not born than born for slaughter. It demonstrates that sometimes temporal loss prevents greater suffering. Only Christ transforms curse into blessing, death into life (John 10:10).
Historical Context
Understanding Hosea's prayer requires recognizing historical context: Assyrian conquest meant children faced brutal death or slavery. Archaeological evidence and Assyrian annals describe horrific treatment of conquered peoples: impalement, mutilation, enslavement. Given this certain future, barrenness becomes relative mercy—preventing children suffering such fate. The prayer echoes Job 3:11-19, Jeremiah 20:14-18—preferring non-existence to suffering. Jesus similarly warns: 'Woe unto them that give suck in those days!' (Matthew 24:19, Luke 23:29). This demonstrates that divine judgment sometimes makes life's normal blessings (fertility, children) become curses—better to lack them than see them destroyed.
Reflection
- How does Hosea's prayer for barrenness demonstrate that sometimes temporal loss is mercy compared to greater suffering?
- What does this prayer reveal about the prophet's compassionate identification with people's suffering despite pronouncing judgment?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Luke 23:29