Hosea 13:15
New International Version
even though he thrives among his brothers. An east wind from the LORD will come, blowing in from the desert; his spring will fail and his well dry up. His storehouse will be plundered of all its treasures.

New Living Translation
Ephraim was the most fruitful of all his brothers, but the east wind—a blast from the LORD— will arise in the desert. All their flowing springs will run dry, and all their wells will disappear. Every precious thing they own will be plundered and carried away.

English Standard Version
Though he may flourish among his brothers, the east wind, the wind of the LORD, shall come, rising from the wilderness, and his fountain shall dry up; his spring shall be parched; it shall strip his treasury of every precious thing.

Berean Standard Bible
Although he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come—a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert. His fountain will fail, and his spring will run dry. The wind will plunder his treasury of every precious article.

King James Bible
Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.

New King James Version
Though he is fruitful among his brethren, An east wind shall come; The wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness. Then his spring shall become dry, And his fountain shall be dried up. He shall plunder the treasury of every desirable prize.

New American Standard Bible
Though he flourishes among the reeds, An east wind will come, The wind of the LORD coming up from the wilderness; And his fountain will become dry And his spring will dry up; It will plunder his treasury of every precious article.

NASB 1995
Though he flourishes among the reeds, An east wind will come, The wind of the LORD coming up from the wilderness; And his fountain will become dry And his spring will be dried up; It will plunder his treasury of every precious article.

NASB 1977
Though he flourishes among the reeds, An east wind will come, The wind of the LORD coming up from the wilderness; And his fountain will become dry, And his spring will be dried up; It will plunder his treasury of every precious article.

Legacy Standard Bible
Though he is fruitful among the reeds, An east wind will come, The wind of Yahweh coming up from the wilderness; And his fountain will become dry, And his spring will be dried up; It will plunder his treasury of every desirable article.

Amplified Bible
For though he flourishes among the reeds (his fellow tribes), An east wind (Assyria) will come, The breath of the LORD rising from the desert; And Ephraim’s spring will become dry And his fountain will be dried up. Assyria will plunder his treasury of every precious object.

Christian Standard Bible
Although he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come, a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert. His water source will fail, and his spring will run dry. The wind will plunder the treasury of every precious item.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Although he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come, a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert. His water source will fail, and his spring will run dry. The wind will plunder the treasury of every precious item.

American Standard Version
Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the breath of Jehovah coming up from the wilderness; and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall make spoil of the treasure of all goodly vessels.

Contemporary English Version
No matter if you prosper more than the other tribes, I, the LORD, will wipe you out, just as a scorching desert wind dries up streams of water. I will take away your precious treasures.

English Revised Version
Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the breath of the LORD coming up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The people of Ephraim have become important among their relatives. However, the LORD's scorching wind will come from the east. It will blow out of the desert. Then their springs will run dry, and their wells will dry up. The wind will destroy every precious thing in their storehouses.

Good News Translation
Even though Israel flourishes like weeds, I will send a hot east wind from the desert, and it will dry up their springs and wells. It will take away everything of value.

International Standard Version
Even though he is fruitful compared to his relatives, an east wind will come, the LORD's wind storm from the wilderness, and his spring will evaporate. His fountain will dry up, and the LORD's wind storm will plunder all the expensive vessels of the treasury.

Majority Standard Bible
Although he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come?a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert. His fountain will fail, and his spring will run dry. The wind will plunder his treasury of every precious article.

NET Bible
Even though he flourishes like a reed plant, a scorching east wind will come, a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert. As a result, his spring will dry up; his well will become dry. That wind will spoil all his delightful foods in the containers in his storehouse.

New Heart English Bible
Though he is fruitful among his brothers, an east wind will come, the breath of the LORD coming up from the wilderness; and his spring will become dry, and his fountain will be dried up. He will plunder the storehouse of treasure.

Webster's Bible Translation
Though he is fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall pillage the treasure of all pleasant vessels.

World English Bible
Though he is fruitful among his brothers, an east wind will come, the breath of Yahweh coming up from the wilderness; and his spring will become dry, and his fountain will be dried up. He will plunder the storehouse of treasure.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Though he produces fruit among brothers, "" An east wind comes in, a wind of YHWH, "" From a wilderness it is coming up, "" And it dries up his fountain, "" And his spring becomes dry, "" It—it spoils a treasure—every desirable vessel.

Young's Literal Translation
Though he among brethren produceth fruit, Come in doth an east wind, a wind of Jehovah, From a wilderness it is coming up, And it drieth up his fountain, And become dry doth his spring, It -- it spoileth a treasure -- every desirable vessel.

Smith's Literal Translation
If he shall bear fruit in the midst of his brethren, the east wind shall come, the wind of Jehovah came up from the desert, and his fountain shall be dried up, and he shall lay waste his place of fountains: he shall plunder the treasure of all vessels of desire.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because he shall make a separation between brothers: s the Lord will bring a burning wind that shall rise from the desert, and it shall dry up his springs, and shall make his fountain desolate, and he shall carry off the treasure of every desirable vessel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For he will make a division among brothers. The Lord will bring a burning wind, rising up from the desert, and it will dry up his streams, and it will make his fountain desolate, and he will tear apart every collection of desirable useful things.

New American Bible
Though Ephraim may flourish among his brothers, an east wind will come, a wind from the LORD, rising from the wilderness, That will dry up his spring, and leave his fountain dry. It will loot his treasury of every precious thing.

New Revised Standard Version
Although he may flourish among rushes, the east wind shall come, a blast from the LORD, rising from the wilderness; and his fountain shall dry up, his spring shall be parched. It shall strip his treasury of every precious thing.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Because he shall be separated from his brothers, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall blow from the wilderness and dry up his fountains, and his springs shall be dried up; it shall spoil the treasure of all valuable vessels.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because he shall separate between brothers, the East wind of LORD JEHOVAH will come from the wilderness; it shall come up and shall destroy its wells and shall dry up its springs, and he will plunder the treasury of all vessels of desire
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For though he be fruitful among the reed-plants, An east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD coming up from the wilderness, And his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up; He shall spoil the treasure of all precious vessels.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Forasmuch as he will cause a division among his brethren, the Lord shall bring upon him an east wind from the desert, and shall dry up his veins and quite drain his fountains: he shall dry up his land, and spoil all his precious vessels.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Judgment on Samaria
15Although he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come— a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert. His fountain will fail, and his spring will run dry. The wind will plunder his treasury of every precious article. 16Samaria will bear her guilt because she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 4:11-12
At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem, “A searing wind from the barren heights in the desert blows toward the daughter of My people, but not to winnow or to sift; / a wind too strong for that comes from Me. Now I also pronounce judgments against them.”

Ezekiel 19:12
But it was uprooted in fury, cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up its fruit. Its strong branches were stripped off and they withered; the fire consumed them.

Isaiah 27:8
By warfare and exile You contended with her and removed her with a fierce wind, as on the day the east wind blows.

Jeremiah 18:17
I will scatter them before the enemy like the east wind. I will show them My back and not My face in the day of their calamity.”

Isaiah 40:7
The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass.

Job 15:30
He will not escape from the darkness; the flame will wither his shoots, and the breath of God’s mouth will carry him away.

Isaiah 37:27
Therefore their inhabitants, devoid of power, are dismayed and ashamed. They are like plants in the field, tender green shoots, grass on the rooftops, scorched before it is grown.

Ezekiel 17:10
Even if it is transplanted, will it flourish? Will it not completely wither when the east wind strikes? It will wither on the bed where it sprouted.’”

Jeremiah 51:36
Therefore this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I will plead your case and take vengeance on your behalf; I will dry up her sea and make her springs run dry.

Isaiah 11:15
The LORD will devote to destruction the gulf of the Sea of Egypt; with a scorching wind He will sweep His hand over the Euphrates. He will split it into seven streams for men to cross with dry sandals.

2 Kings 19:26
Therefore their inhabitants, devoid of power, are dismayed and ashamed. They are like plants in the field, tender green shoots, grass on the rooftops, scorched before it is grown.

Nahum 1:4
He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.

Revelation 7:1
After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back its four winds so that no wind would blow on land or sea or on any tree.

Matthew 21:19
Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. “May you never bear fruit again!” He said. And immediately the tree withered.

Mark 11:20-21
As they were walking back in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from its roots. / Peter remembered it and said, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered.”


Treasury of Scripture

Though he be fruitful among his brothers, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.

he be.

Genesis 41:52
And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Genesis 48:19
And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

Genesis 49:22
Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:

an east.

Hosea 4:19
The wind hath bound her up in her wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.

Psalm 1:4
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Isaiah 17:13
The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

his spring.

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.

Job 18:16
His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.

Psalm 109:13
Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

pleasant vessels.

Daniel 11:8
And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue more years than the king of the north.

Nahum 2:9
Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture.

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Article Breath Dried Dry East Flourish Flourishes Fountain Fruitful Pillage Plant Pleasant Plunder Precious Reed Reeds Spoil Spring Storehouse Treasure Treasury Vessels Wilderness Wind
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Article Breath Dried Dry East Flourish Flourishes Fountain Fruitful Pillage Plant Pleasant Plunder Precious Reed Reeds Spoil Spring Storehouse Treasure Treasury Vessels Wilderness Wind
Hosea 13
1. Ephraim's glory vanishes.
4. God's anger.
9. God's mercy.
15. The judgment of Samaria.














Although he flourishes among his brothers
This phrase speaks to the temporary prosperity and apparent success of Ephraim, representing the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The Hebrew root for "flourishes" (פָּרָה, parah) conveys the idea of fruitfulness and abundance. Historically, Israel experienced periods of economic and military strength, often feeling secure among neighboring nations ("brothers"). However, this prosperity is superficial and fleeting, as it is not rooted in faithfulness to God. The imagery suggests that despite outward appearances, true security and blessing come only from obedience to the LORD.

an east wind will come
The "east wind" (קָדִים, qadim) is a powerful and destructive force in the Hebrew Bible, often symbolizing judgment. In the geographical context of Israel, the east wind comes from the desert, bringing dryness and devastation. This metaphor indicates impending divine judgment. The east wind is not just a natural phenomenon but a tool in God's hand to execute His will, reminding the reader of God's sovereignty over creation and history.

a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert
This phrase emphasizes that the coming judgment is not random but orchestrated by God Himself. The "wind from the LORD" signifies divine intervention. The desert (מִדְבָּר, midbar) is often a place of testing and judgment in Scripture. This imagery reinforces the idea that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations, using natural elements to fulfill His purposes. It serves as a warning that reliance on anything other than God is futile.

His fountain will fail, and his spring will run dry
The "fountain" and "spring" symbolize sources of life and sustenance. In the arid climate of the Near East, water is a precious resource, essential for survival. The Hebrew words for "fountain" (מַעְיָן, ma'yan) and "spring" (מַקּוֹר, maqor) evoke images of life-giving water. The drying up of these sources signifies the withdrawal of God's blessing and the onset of hardship. Spiritually, it represents the emptiness that results from turning away from God, the true source of life.

The treasury of every precious article will be plundered
This phrase foretells the loss of wealth and treasures, which were often stored in treasuries. The Hebrew word for "plundered" (בָּזַז, bazaz) implies violent seizure and destruction. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled when Assyria invaded Israel, taking its riches and leading its people into exile. The "precious articles" symbolize not only material wealth but also the spiritual and cultural heritage of the nation. This serves as a sobering reminder that material wealth is transient and that true treasure is found in a relationship with God.

(15, 16) Fruitful.--Observe the play on Ephraim's name.

Wind of the Lord stands in apposition to east wind. Render a wind of the Lord rising from the wilderness. The armies of Assyria are referred to.

Become desolate.--Or rather, suffer punishment. Thus rolls the thunder of Divine judgment in one last tremendous crash of doom, beyond which scarce anything worse can be thought or said. It is not until the awful silence is reached, after the blast of denunciation, that the prophet hopes that his appeal may not be in vain. In the last chapter, uttered in gentlest mood, he shows a bow of promise painted on the darkness of the storm-cloud.

Verse 15. - Though he be fruitful among his brethren. It should rather be, for he bear fruit among brethren. כִּי, in this verse, is neither a particle of time, "when," nor a conditional particle, "if," but "for," adducing "a reason to prove that the promised grace of redemption would certainly stand firm." Ki is distinguished from אִם by being "only used in cases where a circumstance is assumed to be real For one that is merely supposed to be pebble, אִם is required," as may be inferred from the interchange of the two words in Numbers 5:19 and 20. The name Ephraim, signifying "double-fruitfulness," shall be verified, confirming the promised redemption from death, and, by the pledge of blessing, which the name implies affording a guarantee that the coming storm would not quite overwhelm them. The play on the name Ephraim fixes the meaning of יַפְרִיא, the aleph taking the place of he. The Septuagint διαστελεῖ, equivalent to "shall cause a division," and Jerome's divider, suppose יַפְרִיד or יַפְלִיא. But though fruitful among the other tribes, yet the abuse of that fruitfulness invited the instrument of destruction. There is an allusion to the patriarchal blessing, "Joseph is a fruitful bough by a well;" the source of his fruitfulness was that well or fountain; while the drying up of it would be the certain cause of barrenness. An east wind shall come, the wind of the Lord shall come up from the wilderness. Thus, while Ephraim presents the pleasing picture of a fair and fruitful tree, the element of destruction is already on the way. A wind, the east wind, with its rude vehemence, blighting heat, and desolating effect, was coming. It was a wind, not coming by chance, but commissioned by Jehovah as a minister of vengeance to execute his wrath. It was, moreover, a wind issuing forth from its home in the desert, and fraught with fiery heat from the scorching sands of the Arabian desert. And his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up. This flourishing tree, planted by the living spring, to which it owed its vigor and verdure, was doomed soon to wither in consequence of the drying up of the waters, that nourished it, by the east wind. He shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels. Here the figure merges in the fact. The Assyrian conqueror was the blustering east wind, that swept like a whirlwind with his armies from the east. He not only ravaged the country, but rifled the treasures of the capital The keli chemdah included all the valuables and treasures of Samaria referred to in the following verse. Kimchi explains the verse as follows: "For Ephraim was fruitful among brethren as long as he did not make calves. He became increasingly great and fruitful among his brethren, as Jacob said of him.... And now that he has sinned, an east wind of the Lord shall come; and it is the King of Assyria that is meant. And he compares him to the east wind, because it is a wind from the east, for the land of Assyria lies to the east of the land of Israel; and further he says, 'east wind,' because it is a violent wind. And he says, 'wind of Jehovah,' to magnify the wind and emphasize it; and he says also, 'spirit of Jehovah,' because Jehovah the blessed stirred up his spirit (i.e. spirit of the King of Assyria) to come against Israel, 'goeth up from the wilderness;' wind is always in the wilderness. Or the explanation is, because the wilderness is between the land of Israel and the land of Assyria; and before this wind, which is the King of Assyria, is dried up the fountain of Ephraim, which was at first like a tree flourishing by the waters." And now before this wind shall its spring become dry and its fountain dried up. The verb יֵבושׁ, as from בּושׁ, is an irregular formation for הובִישׁ, as on the contrary we find the Hiph. הובִישׁ, as if from יָבֵשׁ.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Although
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he
ה֔וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

flourishes
יַפְרִ֑יא (yap̄·rî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6500: To bear fruit

among
בֵּ֥ן‪‬ (bên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

his brothers,
אַחִ֖ים (’a·ḥîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

an east wind
קָדִים֩ (qā·ḏîm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6921: The fore, front part, the East

will come,
יָב֣וֹא (yā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

a wind
ר֨וּחַ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

from the LORD
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

rising up
עֹלֶ֗ה (‘ō·leh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

from the desert.
מִמִּדְבָּ֣ר (mim·miḏ·bār)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

His fountain
מְקוֹרוֹ֙ (mə·qō·w·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4726: Something dug, a, source, of happiness, wisdom, progeny)

will fail,
וְיֵב֤וֹשׁ (wə·yê·ḇō·wōš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 954: To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayed

and his spring
מַעְיָנ֔וֹ (ma‘·yā·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4599: A fountain, a source

will run dry.
וְיֶחֱרַ֣ב (wə·ye·ḥĕ·raḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2717: To parch, to desolate, destroy, kill

The wind
ה֣וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

will plunder
יִשְׁסֶ֔ה (yiš·seh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8154: To spoil, plunder

his treasury
אוֹצַ֖ר (’ō·w·ṣar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 214: Treasure, store, a treasury, storehouse

of every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

precious
חֶמְדָּֽה׃ (ḥem·dāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2532: Desire, delight

article.
כְּלִ֥י (kə·lî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus


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OT Prophets: Hosea 13:15 Though he is fruitful among his brothers (Ho Hs Hos.)
Hosea 13:14
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