Hosea 9:11
Hosea 9:11 in Multiple Translations
Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird, with no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception.
As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.
As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird: there shall be no birth, and none with child, and no conception.
As for Ephraim, their glory will go in flight like a bird: there will be no birth and no one with child and no giving of life.
Ephraim! Like a bird that flies away so shall your glory be—no births, no pregnancies, no conceptions.
Ephraim their glorie shall flee away like a birde: from the birth and from the wombe, and from the conception.
Ephraim [is] as a fowl, Fly away doth their honour, without birth, And without womb, and without conception.
As for Ephraim, their glory will fly away like a bird. There will be no birth, no one with child, and no conception.
As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.
As for Ephraim, their glory hath flown away like a bird from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.
The things that cause Israel to be great will disappear like [SIM] a bird that flies away; most of their women will not become pregnant [DOU] or give birth to children.
Berean Amplified Bible — Hosea 9:11
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Hosea 9:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֶפְרַ֕יִם
כָּ/ע֖וֹף
יִתְעוֹפֵ֣ף
כְּבוֹדָ֑/ם
מִ/לֵּדָ֥ה
וּ/מִ/בֶּ֖טֶן
וּ/מֵ/הֵרָיֽוֹן
אֶפְרַ֕יִם
ʼEphrayim
H669
Ephraim
N-proper
כָּ/ע֖וֹף
ʻôwph
H5775
bird
Prep | N-ms
יִתְעוֹפֵ֣ף
ʻûwph
H5774
to fly
V-r-Imperf-3ms
כְּבוֹדָ֑/ם
kâbôwd
H3519
glory
N-cs | Suff
מִ/לֵּדָ֥ה
yâlad
H3205
to beget
Prep | N-fs
וּ/מִ/בֶּ֖טֶן
beṭen
H990
belly
Conj | Prep | N-fs
וּ/מֵ/הֵרָיֽוֹן
hêrôwn
H2032
conception
Conj | Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Hosea 9:11
אֶפְרַ֕יִם
ʼEphrayim
H669
"Ephraim"
N-proper
Ephraim means doubly fruitful, referring to Joseph's son and the tribe that descended from him. The tribe of Ephraim was a significant part of Israel's history. Ephraim is also the name of a region in the Bible.
Definition: Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful" the country of the tribe of Ephraim Also named: Ephraim (Ἐφραίμ "Ephraim" G2187)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: Ephraim, Ephraimites. See also: Genesis 41:52; 1 Chronicles 27:20; Psalms 60:9.
כָּ/ע֖וֹף
ʻôwph
H5775
"bird"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, this word simply means a bird, like the ones that fly in the sky. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Psalms, often symbolizing freedom.
Definition: 1) flying creatures, fowl, insects, birds 1a) fowl, birds 1b) winged insects Aramaic equivalent: oph (עוֹף "bird" H5776)
Usage: Occurs in 70 OT verses. KJV: bird, that flieth, flying, fowl. See also: Genesis 1:20; 1 Samuel 17:46; Psalms 50:11.
יִתְעוֹפֵ֣ף
ʻûwph
H5774
"to fly"
V-r-Imperf-3ms
This word can mean flying or fainting, often due to darkness or gloom. It appears in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah, describing dramatic scenes.
Definition: v 1) to fly, fly about, fly away 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to fly, hover 1a2) to fly away 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to fly, light upon 1c) (Polel) 1c1) to fly about or to and fro 1c2) to cause to fly to and fro, brandish 1d) (Hithpolel) to fly away 2) (Qal) to cover, be dark
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: brandish, be (wax) faint, flee away, fly (away), [idiom] set, shine forth, weary. See also: Genesis 1:20; Proverbs 23:5; Psalms 18:11.
כְּבוֹדָ֑/ם
kâbôwd
H3519
"glory"
N-cs | Suff
Glory refers to great honor or splendor, often used to describe God's majesty, as in Psalm 138:5 where David praises God's glorious name. It can also refer to wealth or abundance, like in Genesis 31:1 where Jacob's wealth is described.
Definition: 1) glory, honour, glorious, abundance 1a) abundance, riches 1b) honour, splendour, glory 1c) honour, dignity 1d) honour, reputation 1e) honour, reverence, glory 1f) glory
Usage: Occurs in 189 OT verses. KJV: glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able). See also: Genesis 31:1; Psalms 113:4; Psalms 3:4.
מִ/לֵּדָ֥ה
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
וּ/מִ/בֶּ֖טֶן
beṭen
H990
"belly"
Conj | Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to the belly or womb, and is used to describe the seat of hunger, emotions, and even the depths of the afterlife. It is used in the Bible to describe the body and its functions. The KJV translates it as belly, body, or womb.
Definition: : abdomen 1) belly, womb, body 1a) belly, abdomen 1a1) as seat of hunger 1a2) as seat of mental faculties 1a3) of depth of Sheol (fig.) 1b) womb
Usage: Occurs in 72 OT verses. KJV: belly, body, [phrase] as they be born, [phrase] within, womb. See also: Genesis 25:23; Psalms 22:10; Psalms 17:14.
וּ/מֵ/הֵרָיֽוֹן
hêrôwn
H2032
"conception"
Conj | Prep | N-ms
This word means conception or pregnancy, describing the physical process of a woman carrying a child. It appears in Psalm 139, where David praises God for creating him in his mother's womb. The KJV translates it as 'conception'.
Definition: physical conception, pregnancy, conception
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: conception. See also: Genesis 3:16; Ruth 4:13; Hosea 9:11.
Study Notes — Hosea 9:11
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Hosea 9:11 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Hosea 9:11
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hosea 9:11
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hosea 9:11
- Trapp's Commentary on Hosea 9:11
- Ellicott's Commentary on Hosea 9:11
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hosea 9:11
- Cambridge Bible on Hosea 9:11
- Barnes' Notes on Hosea 9:11
- Sermons on Hosea 9:11
Context — Israel’s Punishment
9They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins.
10I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness. I saw your fathers as the firstfruits of the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to Shame; so they became as detestable as the thing they loved.
11Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird, with no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception.
12Even if they raise their children, I will bereave them of each one. Yes, woe be to them when I turn away from them! 13I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a meadow. But Ephraim will bring out his children for slaughter.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 28:18 | The fruit of your womb will be cursed, as well as the produce of your land, the calves of your herds, and the lambs of your flocks. |
| 2 | Hosea 9:14 | Give them, O LORD— what will You give? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that dry up! |
| 3 | Hosea 4:7 | The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace. |
| 4 | Hosea 10:5 | The people of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn with its idolatrous priests— those who rejoiced in its glory— for it has been taken from them into exile. |
| 5 | Ecclesiastes 6:3 | A man may father a hundred children and live for many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he is unsatisfied with his prosperity and does not even receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. |
| 6 | Genesis 48:16–20 | the angel who has redeemed me from all harm— may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.” When Joseph saw that his father had placed his right hand on Ephraim’s head, he was displeased and took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s. “Not so, my father!” Joseph said. “This one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.” But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” So that day Jacob blessed them and said: “By you shall Israel pronounce this blessing: ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.’” So he put Ephraim before Manasseh. |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 28:57 | the afterbirth that comes from between her legs and the children she bears, because she will secretly eat them for lack of anything else in the siege and distress that your enemy will inflict on you within your gates. |
| 8 | Genesis 41:52 | And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” |
| 9 | Amos 1:13 | This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of the Ammonites, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead in order to enlarge their territory. |
| 10 | Deuteronomy 33:17 | His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like those of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even to the ends of the earth. Such are the myriads of Ephraim, and such are the thousands of Manasseh.” |
Hosea 9:11 Summary
[This verse is saying that Ephraim, one of the tribes of Israel, was going to lose everything they thought made them great and important, because they had turned away from God. It's like they were a bird that flies away, and there's nothing left. This happened because they stopped listening to God and started worshiping idols, which is like what it says in Deuteronomy 11:16, where it warns against being deceived into worshiping other gods. As a result, they would not have any new life or children to carry on their legacy, a concept also seen in Psalms 127:3-5, where children are described as a heritage from the Lord.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for Ephraim's glory to fly away like a bird?
This means that Ephraim's pride and accomplishments will quickly disappear, much like a bird takes flight, leaving nothing behind, as seen in other scriptures like Isaiah 31:3, where human strength is compared to fleeting natural phenomena.
Why does the verse mention no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception?
These phrases emphasize the complete loss of Ephraim's vitality and future, much like a barren tree that does not produce fruit, as described in Jeremiah 2:21, highlighting the severe judgment of God on a disobedient nation.
Is this verse only talking about the nation of Ephraim, or does it have broader implications?
While the verse specifically addresses Ephraim, the principles of God's judgment on pride and disobedience apply to all nations and individuals, as seen in Proverbs 16:18, where pride precedes destruction, and in Romans 6:23, which describes the consequences of sin.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of the book of Hosea?
This verse fits into the book of Hosea's theme of warning Israel of God's judgment due to their idolatry and disobedience, calling them to return to the Lord, as emphasized in Hosea 14:1-3, which offers a message of hope and restoration for those who repent.
Reflection Questions
- What are the things in my life that I consider my 'glory', and how might they 'fly away' if I am not careful to remain humble and obedient to God?
- In what ways can I apply the lesson of Ephraim's loss of vitality and future to my own life, to ensure that I am bearing spiritual fruit?
- How can I balance the pursuit of earthly accomplishments with the pursuit of a deep, abiding relationship with God, so that my 'glory' is not in the things that will pass away?
- What role does pride play in my life, and how can I cultivate humility to avoid the kind of judgment described in this verse?
Gill's Exposition on Hosea 9:11
[As for] Ephraim, their glory shall flee away like a bird,.... That is, suddenly, swiftly, and irrecoverably, and never return more; which some understand of God their glory, and of his departure
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hosea 9:11
As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception. As for Ephraim, thee glory shall fly away.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hosea 9:11
Their glory; their children or posterity, which was as much the glory of Israel, as their multiplying was above the common rate of other nations’ multiplying; it was to them a singular blessing, and performing of promise, and they did greatly rejoice and glory in this blessing, Psalms 128 Proverbs 17:6. Shall fly away like a bird: it is proverbial, and speaks a sudden and unexpected loss of children. which vanish and are gone as a bird: see , where sudden loss of riches is expressed in the same proverb. From the birth; shall die as soon as born. From the womb; prove abortive, their mothers shall not bring the fruit of the womb to perfection, or alive into the world. From the conception; through barrenness their wives shall not conceive.
Trapp's Commentary on Hosea 9:11
Hosea 9:11 [As for] Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.Ver. 11. As for Ephraim, their glory shall flee away as a bird] Heb. Ephraim, by a nominative absolute. Or, O Ephraim, as with a sigh, or a shriek, for grief and horror of their ensuing calamity, exilium, excidium, et exitium. "The Lord afflicts not willingly, nor grieves the children of men," Lamentations 3:33. It goes as much against the heart with him as against the hair with us; witness this pathetic expression. See also Hosea 11:8. Their glory, that is, their God, as in the next verse. Or, their children, as in the next words. They worshipped Baalpeor for fruitfulness; but it shall not do: for either they shall be punished with barrenness, or else with a luctuosa foecunditas (as Jerome saith of Loeta, who buried many children), a doleful fruitfulness.
Their glory shall flee away as a bird] Suddenly, swiftly, irrecoverably, shall their numerous posterity, which they looked upon as themselves multiplied and eternalized, be cut off, be snatched away by the hand of death; so that, Rachel-like, they shall refuse to be comforted, because her children were not: or as Cratisiclea, in Plutarch, who, seeing her dear children slain before her, and herself ready to be served in like sort, uttered only this word, Quo pueri, estis profecti? Poor children, what is become of you? From the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception] In all these states shall the curse follow them close: either they shall not conceive, or die in the womb, or be stifled in the birth; they shall all prove Ichabods. It is God that gives strength to conceive, as he did to Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth, &c. It is he that formeth us in the womb, and that by the book, Psalms 139:15-16, and preserveth us there, Job 10:8, when neither we can shift for ourselves, nor our parents provide for us. It is he that taketh us thence, Psalms 22:9-10, as a nurse or midwife doth the newborn babe. It is he that keepeth us in the cradle, and in childhood, when we are subject to a thousand deaths and dangers; for puerilitas est periculorum pelagus; it is a just wonder that any child attains to maturity. But if wicked men’ s children do so, a soft they do (for "they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes," Psalms 17:14), yet it follows,
Ellicott's Commentary on Hosea 9:11
(11) From the birth . . .—Or rather, so that there shall be no childbirth, nor pregnancy, nor conception—an ascending climax. Progeny was the glory of ancient Israel (Genesis 22:17; Deuteronomy 7:13-14; Psalms 127:5; Proverbs 17:6).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hosea 9:11
Verse 11. Their glory shall fly away] It shall suddenly spring away from them, and return no more. From the birth] "So that there shall be no birth, no carrying in the womb, no conception."-Newcome. They shall cease to glory in their numbers; for no children shall be born, no woman shall be pregnant, for none shall conceive. Here judgment blasts the very germs of population.
Cambridge Bible on Hosea 9:11
11. The prophet leaves us to supply the idea that Ephraim’s present transgressions are as heinous as those of old, and passes on to the punishment. their glory … like a bird] Rather, like birds. All their earthly prosperity shall take to itself wings, because, as we have already heard, ‘they have exchanged their (true) glory for infamy’ (Hosea 4:7). Kimchi narrows the meaning too much, when he says, ‘He calls children “glory”, for they are the glory of fathers (Proverbs 17:6).’ But of course populousness formed a part of the Israelite’s conception of national prosperity. from the birth, &c.] Rather, that there shall be no birth, nor being with child, nor conception. Such is the retribution for their sins against chastity (see on Hosea 4:10).
Barnes' Notes on Hosea 9:11
As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away, like a bird - Ephraim had parted with God, his true Glory. In turn, God would quickly take from him all created glory, all which he counted glory, or in which he gloried.
Sermons on Hosea 9:11
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 48:15-22 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob blessing his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing God as the ultimate redeemer in |
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Homily 38 on the Acts of the Apostles by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches about Paul's experiences in Athens, highlighting his encounters with idolatry, Jews, and philosophers. Paul's boldness in proclaiming Jesus and the Resurre |
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It's Raining Blessing by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman delivers a powerful sermon on finding blessings in the midst of afflictions, using the analogy of rain bringing forth beautiful flowers to illustrate how God's lo |
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Five Principles of Revival by Ian Paisley | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power and sovereignty of God in bringing about revival. He emphasizes that revival is initiated, controlled, and concluded by the Lord, |
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The Unicorn by Harriet N. Cook | Harriet N. Cook discusses the mysterious animal mentioned in the Bible that starts with the letter U, known as the unicorn. The true identity of this creature remains uncertain, wi |