Hosea 9:13
New International Version
I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place. But Ephraim will bring out their children to the slayer.”

New Living Translation
I have watched Israel become as beautiful as Tyre. But now Israel will bring out her children for slaughter.”

English Standard Version
Ephraim, as I have seen, was like a young palm planted in a meadow; but Ephraim must lead his children out to slaughter.

Berean Standard Bible
I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a meadow. But Ephraim will bring out his children for slaughter.

King James Bible
Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.

New King James Version
Just as I saw Ephraim like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place, So Ephraim will bring out his children to the murderer.”

New American Standard Bible
Ephraim, as I have seen, Is planted in a pasture like Tyre; But Ephraim is going to bring out his children for slaughter.

NASB 1995
Ephraim, as I have seen, Is planted in a pleasant meadow like Tyre; But Ephraim will bring out his children for slaughter.

NASB 1977
Ephraim, as I have seen, Is planted in a pleasant meadow like Tyre; But Ephraim will bring out his children for slaughter.

Legacy Standard Bible
Ephraim, as I have seen, Is planted in a pasture like Tyre; But Ephraim will bring out his children for killing.

Amplified Bible
Ephraim, as I have seen, Is planted in a pleasant [and prosperous] meadow like Tyre; But Ephraim will bring out his children to the executioner [for slaughter].

Christian Standard Bible
I have seen Ephraim like Tyre, planted in a meadow, so Ephraim will bring out his children to the executioner.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I have seen Ephraim like Tyre, planted in a meadow, so Ephraim will bring out his children to the executioner.

American Standard Version
Ephraim, like as I have seen Tyre, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring out his children to the slayer.

Contemporary English Version
Israel, when I first met you, I thought of you as palm trees growing in fertile ground. Now you lead your people out, only to be slaughtered.

English Revised Version
Ephraim, like as I have seen Tyre, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring out his children to the slayer.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place. But the people of Ephraim will bring out their children to be killed."

Good News Translation
LORD, I can see their children being hunted down and killed.

International Standard Version
Ephraim, as I see it, is like Tyre, planted in a comfortable place; Ephraim will bear children but they will be executed."

Majority Standard Bible
I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a meadow. But Ephraim will bring out his children for slaughter.

NET Bible
Just as lion cubs are born predators, so Ephraim will bear his sons for slaughter.

New Heart English Bible
I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place; but Ephraim will bring out his children to the murderer.

Webster's Bible Translation
Ephraim, as I saw Tyre, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.

World English Bible
I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place; but Ephraim will bring out his children to the murderer.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Ephraim! When I have looked to the rock, "" Is planted in comeliness, "" And Ephraim [is] to bring out his sons to a slayer.

Young's Literal Translation
Ephraim! when I have looked to the rock, Is planted in comeliness, And Ephraim is to bring out unto a slayer his sons.

Smith's Literal Translation
Ephraim, as I saw for Tyre, was planted in a habitation: and Ephraim to bring forth his sons to him slaying.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Ephraim, as I saw, was a Tyre founded in beauty: and Ephraim shall bring out his children to the murderer.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Ephraim, as I see it, was a Tyre, founded by beauty. And Ephraim will lead his sons to execution.

New American Bible
Ephraim, as I saw, was a tree planted in a meadow; But now Ephraim will bring out his children to the slaughterer!

New Revised Standard Version
Once I saw Ephraim as a young palm planted in a lovely meadow, but now Ephraim must lead out his children for slaughter.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Ephraim's fate shall be like that of Tyre, as you have seen, though planted in a pleasant place with buildings; likewise Ephraim shall bring out his children to the slaughter.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Aphreim, as I have seen at Tyre which was planted among its buildings, thus Aphreim sends out his sons for slaughter
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Ephraim, like as I have seen Tyre, is planted in a pleasant place; But Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the slayer.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Ephraim, even as I saw, gave their children for a prey; yea, Ephraim was ready to bring out his children to slaughter.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hosea Announces Israel's Punishment
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. 14Give them, O LORD—what will You give? Give them wombs that miscarry and breasts that dry up!…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:32
Your sons and daughters will be given to another nation, while your eyes grow weary looking for them day after day, with no power in your hand.

Jeremiah 31:15
This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Matthew 2:16-18
When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. / Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: / “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Lamentations 1:5
Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. For the LORD has brought her grief because of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives before the enemy.

Isaiah 13:16
Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished.

2 Kings 17:6
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.

Amos 7:17
Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘Your wife will become a prostitute in the city, and your sons and daughters will fall by the sword. Your land will be divided by a measuring line, and you yourself will die on pagan soil. And Israel will surely go into exile, away from their homeland.’”

2 Kings 15:29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and he took the people as captives to Assyria.

2 Kings 17:23
Finally, the LORD removed Israel from His presence, as He had declared through all His servants the prophets. So Israel was exiled from their homeland into Assyria, where they are to this day.

2 Kings 18:11
The king of Assyria exiled the Israelites to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Gozan by the Habor River, and in the cities of the Medes.

2 Kings 19:12
Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar?

Isaiah 7:8
For the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered as a people.

Isaiah 8:4
For before the boy knows how to cry ‘Father’ or ‘Mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.”

Isaiah 10:9-11
“Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus? / As my hand seized the idolatrous kingdoms whose images surpassed those of Jerusalem and Samaria, / and as I have done to Samaria and its idols, will I not also do to Jerusalem and her idols?”

Isaiah 36:19
Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand?


Treasury of Scripture

Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.

as.

Ezekiel 26:1-28:26
And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, …

shall.

Hosea 9:16
Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.

Hosea 10:14
Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.

Hosea 13:8,16
I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them…

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Beast Beautiful Birth Children Destined Ephraim E'phraim E'phraim's Forth Lead Meadow Murderer Planted Pleasant Prey Rock Slaughter Slayer Tyre Tyrus Young
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Hosea 9
1. The distress and captivity of Israel for their sins.














I have seen Ephraim
The prophet Hosea speaks with the authority of one who has received divine revelation. "Ephraim" represents the northern kingdom of Israel, often referred to by this name due to the prominence of the tribe of Ephraim. The Hebrew root for "seen" (רָאָה, ra'ah) implies not just physical sight but a deeper understanding or insight. God, through Hosea, perceives the true state of Ephraim, beyond outward appearances, revealing a spiritual insight into their condition.

like Tyre
Tyre was a prosperous and fortified city, known for its wealth and strategic location. By comparing Ephraim to Tyre, the text highlights Ephraim's former strength and prosperity. Historically, Tyre was a center of commerce and influence, suggesting that Ephraim once enjoyed similar blessings. However, this comparison also foreshadows judgment, as Tyre eventually faced destruction due to its pride and idolatry, serving as a warning to Ephraim.

planted in a meadow
The imagery of being "planted in a meadow" suggests a place of fertility, growth, and potential. Meadows are typically lush and well-watered, symbolizing a state of blessing and divine provision. The Hebrew word for "meadow" (שָׁדֵה, sadeh) can also mean field or open country, indicating a place of opportunity and abundance. This metaphor underscores the initial favor and potential that Ephraim had in God's sight.

but Ephraim will bring out his children for slaughter
This phrase starkly contrasts the previous imagery of prosperity. The Hebrew word for "slaughter" (הָרֵג, hareg) denotes a violent and untimely death. The tragic outcome for Ephraim's children signifies the consequences of the nation's unfaithfulness and idolatry. Historically, this points to the Assyrian invasion and the subsequent suffering of the people. Spiritually, it serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of turning away from God, emphasizing the importance of covenant faithfulness.

(13) The LXX. suggest a doubt as to the validity of our text. They render "Ephraim, even as I saw, gave their children for a prey." The reference to Tyre is very obscure. Some would render the Hebrew word for "meadow" by "resting-place," and interpret, "I look on Ephraim even as I look on Tyre, planted in a sure resting-place." The impregnable fortress of Tyre was a conspicuous object in the days of Hosea. Similarly Samaria was a stronghold which was able to resist prolonged sieges. (Comp. Isaiah's graphic words: Isaiah 28:1-4, and Amos 6:1)--"Yet Ephraim shall bring forth sons to the murderer," i.e., in the impending overthrow and massacre, 721 B.C.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I have seen
רָאִ֥יתִי (rā·’î·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

Ephraim,
אֶפְרַ֛יִם (’ep̄·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

like
כַּאֲשֶׁר־ (ka·’ă·šer-)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Tyre,
לְצ֖וֹר (lə·ṣō·wr)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6865: Tyre -- a Phoenician city

planted
שְׁתוּלָ֣ה (šə·ṯū·lāh)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular
Strong's 8362: To transplant

in a meadow.
בְנָוֶ֑ה (ḇə·nā·weh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5116: Abode of shepherd or flocks, habitation

But Ephraim
וְאֶפְרַ֕יִם (wə·’ep̄·ra·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

will bring out
לְהוֹצִ֥יא (lə·hō·w·ṣî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

his children
בָּנָֽיו׃ (bā·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

for slaughter.
הֹרֵ֖ג (hō·rêḡ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent


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OT Prophets: Hosea 9:13 I have seen Ephraim like Tyre planted (Ho Hs Hos.)
Hosea 9:12
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