Hosea 8:10
New International Version
Although they have sold themselves among the nations, I will now gather them together. They will begin to waste away under the oppression of the mighty king.

New Living Translation
But though they have sold themselves to many allies, I will now gather them together for judgment. Then they will writhe under the burden of the great king.

English Standard Version
Though they hire allies among the nations, I will soon gather them up. And the king and princes shall soon writhe because of the tribute.

Berean Standard Bible
Though they hire allies among the nations, I will now round them up, and they will begin to diminish under the oppression of the king of princes.

King James Bible
Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.

New King James Version
Yes, though they have hired among the nations, Now I will gather them; And they shall sorrow a little, Because of the burden of the king of princes.

New American Standard Bible
Even though they pay for allies among the nations, I will gather them up now; And they will begin to diminish Because of the burden of the king of officials.

NASB 1995
Even though they hire allies among the nations, Now I will gather them up; And they will begin to diminish Because of the burden of the king of princes.

NASB 1977
Even though they hire allies among the nations, Now I will gather them up; And they will begin to diminish Because of the burden of the king of princes.

Legacy Standard Bible
Even though they hire allies among the nations, Now I will gather them up; And they will begin to diminish Because of the burden of the king of princes.

Amplified Bible
Yes, even though [with presents] they hire allies among the nations, Now I will gather them up; And [in a little while] they will begin to grow weak and diminish Because of the burden imposed by the king of princes [the king of Assyria].

Christian Standard Bible
Even though they hire lovers among the nations, I will now round them up, and they will begin to decrease in number under the burden of the king and leaders.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Even though they hire lovers among the nations, I will now round them up, and they will begin to decrease in number under the burden of the king and leaders.

American Standard Version
Yea, though they hire among the nations, now will I gather them; and they begin to be diminished by reason of the burden of the king of princes.

Contemporary English Version
You can bargain with nations, but I'll catch you anyway. Soon you will suffer abuse by kings and rulers.

English Revised Version
Yea, though they hire among the nations, now will I gather them; and they begin to be minished by reason of the burden of the king of princes.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Even though they sold themselves among the nations, I will gather them now. They will suffer for a while under the burdens of kings and princes.

Good News Translation
But now I am going to gather them together and punish them. Soon they will writhe in pain when the emperor of Assyria oppresses them.

International Standard Version
Even though they sold themselves to the nations, I will gather them. They will mourn for a while for the burden they were to the king and princes.

Majority Standard Bible
Though they hire allies among the nations, I will now round them up, and they will begin to diminish under the oppression of the king of princes.

NET Bible
Even though they have hired lovers among the nations, I will soon gather them together for judgment. Then they will begin to waste away under the oppression of a mighty king.

New Heart English Bible
But although they sold themselves among the nations, I will now gather them; and they begin to waste away because of the oppression of the king of mighty ones.

Webster's Bible Translation
Yes, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.

World English Bible
But although they sold themselves among the nations, I will now gather them; and they begin to waste away because of the oppression of the king of mighty ones.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Also though they hire among nations, "" Now I gather them, and they are pained a little, "" From the burden of a king of princes.

Young's Literal Translation
Also though they hire among nations, Now I gather them, and they are pained a little, From the burden of a king of princes.

Smith's Literal Translation
Also if they will hire among the nations, now will I gather them, and shall they be weak a little from the lifting up of the king of the princes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But even though they shall have hired the nations, now will I gather them together: and they shall rest a while from the burden of the king, and the princes.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But even when they will have brought the nations together for the sake of money, now I will assemble them. And they will rest for a little while from the burden of the king and the leaders.

New American Bible
Even though they bargain with the nations, I will now gather them together; They will soon succumb under the burden of king and princes.

New Revised Standard Version
Though they bargain with the nations, I will now gather them up. They shall soon writhe under the burden of kings and princes.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Though they shall be delivered up to the Gentiles, I will gather them, and they shall rest a while from the burden of the kings and the princes.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Even if they are handed over among the Gentiles, I shall gather them and they shall rest a little from the burden of the Kings and of the Rulers
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Yea, though they hire among the nations, Now will I gather them up; And they begin to be minished By reason of the burden of king and princes.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore shall they be delivered to the nations: now I will receive them, and they shall cease a little to anoint a king and princes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel will Reap the Whirlwind
9For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey on its own. Ephraim has hired lovers. 10Though they hire allies among the nations, I will now round them up, and they will begin to diminish under the oppression of the king of princes. 11Though Ephraim multiplied the altars for sin, they became his altars for sinning.…

Cross References
Isaiah 30:1-3
“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. / But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace.

Ezekiel 16:26-29
You prostituted yourself with your lustful neighbors, the Egyptians, and increased your promiscuity to provoke Me to anger. / Therefore I stretched out My hand against you and reduced your portion. I gave you over to the desire of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who were ashamed of your lewd conduct. / Then you prostituted yourself with the Assyrians, because you were not yet satisfied. Even after that, you were still not satisfied. ...

2 Kings 17:4-6
But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired to send envoys to King So of Egypt, and that he had not paid tribute to the king of Assyria as in previous years. Therefore the king of Assyria arrested Hoshea and put him in prison. / Then the king of Assyria invaded the whole land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years. / In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and carried away the Israelites to Assyria, where he settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.

Jeremiah 2:18-19
Now what will you gain on your way to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? What will you gain on your way to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates? / Your own evil will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God and to have no fear of Me,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

Isaiah 31:1-3
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD. / Yet He too is wise and brings disaster; He does not call back His words. He will rise up against the house of the wicked and against the allies of evildoers. / But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together.

Ezekiel 23:5-9
Oholah prostituted herself while she was still Mine. She lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians—warriors / clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all desirable young men, horsemen mounted on steeds. / She offered sexual favors to all the elite of Assyria. She defiled herself with all the idols of those for whom she lusted. ...

2 Kings 15:19-20
Then Pul king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver in order to gain his support and strengthen his own grip on the kingdom. / Menahem exacted this money from each of the wealthy men of Israel—fifty shekels of silver from each man—to give to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew and did not remain in the land.

Jeremiah 42:13-17
But if you say, ‘We will not stay in this land,’ and you thus disobey the voice of the LORD your God, / and if you say, ‘No, but we will go to the land of Egypt and live there, where we will not see war or hear the sound of the ram’s horn or hunger for bread,’ / then hear the word of the LORD, O remnant of Judah! This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you are determined to go to Egypt and reside there, ...

Isaiah 57:9
You went to Molech with oil and multiplied your perfumes. You have sent your envoys a great distance; you have descended even to Sheol itself.

Ezekiel 23:12-21
She too lusted after the Assyrians—governors and commanders, warriors dressed in splendor, horsemen riding on steeds, all desirable young men. / And I saw that she too had defiled herself; both of them had taken the same path. / But Oholibah carried her prostitution even further. She saw the men portrayed on the wall, images of the Chaldeans, engraved in vermilion, ...

2 Kings 16:7-9
So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hands of the kings of Aram and Israel, who are rising up against me.” / Ahaz also took the silver and gold found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king’s palace, and he sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria. / So the king of Assyria responded to him, marched up to Damascus, and captured it. He took its people to Kir as captives and put Rezin to death.

Jeremiah 2:36-37
How impulsive you are, constantly changing your ways! You will be disappointed by Egypt just as you were by Assyria. / Moreover, you will leave that place with your hands on your head, for the LORD has rejected those you trust; you will not prosper by their help.”

Isaiah 7:17
The LORD will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since the day Ephraim separated from Judah—He will bring the king of Assyria.”

Ezekiel 23:22-23
Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will incite your lovers against you, those from whom you turned away in disgust. And I will bring them against you from every side— / the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, the men of Pekod, Shoa, and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them—all desirable young men, governors and commanders, officers and men of renown, mounted on horses.

2 Kings 18:21
Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.


Treasury of Scripture

Yes, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes.

now.

Hosea 10:10
It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.

Ezekiel 16:37
Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.

Ezekiel 23:9,10,22-26,46,47
Wherefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, upon whom she doted…

sorrow a little.

Haggai 2:6
For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;

for.

2 Kings 14:26
For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.

2 Kings 15:19,20
And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand…

2 Kings 17:3
Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents.

the king.

Isaiah 10:8
For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings?

Isaiah 36:13
Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria.

Ezekiel 26:7
For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people.

Jump to Previous
Allies Although Anointing Begin Burden Cease Diminish Diminished Directions Gather Help Hire Hired Little Mighty Minished Money Nations Ones Oppression Princes Reason Short Sold Soon Sorrow Themselves Time Waste
Jump to Next
Allies Although Anointing Begin Burden Cease Diminish Diminished Directions Gather Help Hire Hired Little Mighty Minished Money Nations Ones Oppression Princes Reason Short Sold Soon Sorrow Themselves Time Waste
Hosea 8
1. Destruction is threatened both to Israel and Judah for their impiety and idolatry.














Although they have sold themselves among the nations
This phrase reflects Israel's spiritual adultery and idolatry, as they have metaphorically "sold themselves" by forming alliances with pagan nations and adopting their practices. The Hebrew root for "sold" (מָכַר, makhar) implies a transaction or exchange, indicating that Israel has traded their covenant relationship with God for temporary security and prosperity. Historically, this refers to Israel's political alliances with Assyria and Egypt, which were seen as acts of unfaithfulness to God. Theologically, it underscores the futility of seeking security outside of God's provision.

I will now gather them together
Here, God promises to "gather" His people, a term (קָבַץ, qavats) that often signifies restoration and redemption in the Hebrew Scriptures. Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God's covenant love remains steadfast. This gathering is both a judgment and a promise of future hope, as God intends to bring His people back to Himself. It reflects the prophetic theme of the remnant, where God preserves a faithful group through whom He will fulfill His promises.

They will begin to waste away
The phrase "waste away" (חָלָה, chalah) suggests a process of decline and deterioration. This is a consequence of Israel's disobedience and reliance on foreign powers. The imagery is one of sickness or weakness, indicating that their strength and vitality will diminish as a result of their choices. It serves as a warning of the inevitable consequences of turning away from God.

under the oppression of the mighty king
The "mighty king" likely refers to the Assyrian empire, which historically oppressed Israel during this period. The term "oppression" (עֹשֶׁק, osheq) conveys a sense of harsh treatment and exploitation. This is a direct result of Israel's alliances, as the very nations they sought for protection become their oppressors. Theologically, it illustrates the principle that reliance on worldly powers rather than God leads to bondage and suffering.

(10) There is much difference of opinion as to the interpretation of this verse. Much depends on the reference of the word "them." We prefer to regard it as referring to Ephraim rather than to the nations (i.e., Assyria and Egypt). Render, I will gather them (Israel) together, so that in a short time they may delay (this translation approved by Ewald, Wnsche, and Simson) to render the tribute burden due to the king of princes (i.e., the Assyrian monarch). "Gather them together," i.e., in restraint, so that they cannot roam so wildly, seeking help (Ewald). This accords with Hosea 2:8-9; Hosea 3:4. Such non-payment of tribute actually occurred a few years later (2Kings 17:4). Others render it: I will gather these nations (of the East) round about her to look scornfully on her ruin, and they shall sorrow a little (used ironically) at the imposition of the king of the princes.

Verse 10. - Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them. Instead of "have hired," "sue" would make the sense more obvious. But who are they of whom it is here said, "I will gather them"?

(1) The nations, among whom Ephraim has been suing for endearments from paramours, shall be gathered together to effect the hurt or ruin of Ephraim; while for this explanation Ezekiel 16:37, is cited as parallel: "Behold, therefore, I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness." But

(2) others maintain that the persons gathered are the Ephraimites whom the Lord will gather, that is to say,

(a) will bring them all together among the nations, leading them thither; and to this exposition Hosea 9:6 is thought to furnish a parallel, at least as far as the meaning of the verb "to gather" is concerned: "Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them." . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Though
גַּ֛ם (gam)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

they hire allies
יִתְנ֥וּ (yiṯ·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8566: To present, bargain with

among the nations,
בַגּוֹיִ֖ם (ḇag·gō·w·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

I will now
עַתָּ֣ה (‘at·tāh)
Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

round them up,
אֲקַבְּצֵ֑ם (’ă·qab·bə·ṣêm)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6908: To gather, collect

and they will begin
וַיָּחֵ֣לּוּ (way·yā·ḥêl·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play

to diminish
מְּעָ֔ט (mə·‘āṭ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4592: A little, fewness, a few

under the oppression
מִמַּשָּׂ֖א (mim·maś·śā)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4853: A burden, tribute, porterage, an utterance, chiefly a, doom, singing, mental, desire

of the king
מֶ֥לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

of princes.
שָׂרִֽים׃ (śā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince


Links
Hosea 8:10 NIV
Hosea 8:10 NLT
Hosea 8:10 ESV
Hosea 8:10 NASB
Hosea 8:10 KJV

Hosea 8:10 BibleApps.com
Hosea 8:10 Biblia Paralela
Hosea 8:10 Chinese Bible
Hosea 8:10 French Bible
Hosea 8:10 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Hosea 8:10 But although they sold themselves among (Ho Hs Hos.)
Hosea 8:9
Top of Page
Top of Page