Hosea 9:8
New International Version
The prophet, along with my God, is the watchman over Ephraim, yet snares await him on all his paths, and hostility in the house of his God.

New Living Translation
The prophet is a watchman over Israel for my God, yet traps are laid for him wherever he goes. He faces hostility even in the house of God.

English Standard Version
The prophet is the watchman of Ephraim with my God; yet a fowler’s snare is on all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.

Berean Standard Bible
The prophet is Ephraim’s watchman, along with my God, yet the snare of the fowler lies on all his paths. Hostility is in the house of his God!

King James Bible
The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.

New King James Version
The watchman of Ephraim is with my God; But the prophet is a fowler’s snare in all his ways— Enmity in the house of his God.

New American Standard Bible
Ephraim was a watchman with my God, a prophet; Yet the snare of a bird catcher is in all his ways, And there is only hostility in the house of his God.

NASB 1995
Ephraim was a watchman with my God, a prophet; Yet the snare of a bird catcher is in all his ways, And there is only hostility in the house of his God.

NASB 1977
Ephraim was a watchman with my God, a prophet; Yet the snare of a bird catcher is in all his ways, And there is only hostility in the house of his God.

Legacy Standard Bible
Ephraim was a watchman with my God, a prophet; Yet the snare of a bird catcher is in all his ways, And there is only hostility in the house of his God.

Amplified Bible
Ephraim was a watchman with my God, a [true] prophet [to warn the nation]; But the snare of a bird catcher was laid in all his paths. And there is only deep hostility in the house of his God (the land of Israel).

Christian Standard Bible
Ephraim’s watchman is with my God. Yet the prophet encounters a bird trap on all his pathways. Hostility is in the house of his God!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Ephraim’s watchman is with my God. The prophet encounters a fowler’s snare on all his ways. Hostility is in the house of his God!

American Standard Version
Ephraim was a watchman with my God: as for the prophet, a fowler's snare is in all his ways, and enmity in the house of his God.

Contemporary English Version
Israel, the LORD sent me to look after you. But you trap his prophets and flood his temple with your hatred.

English Revised Version
Ephraim was a watchman with my God: as for the prophet, a fowler's snare is in all his ways, and enmity in the house of his God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Prophets are God's watchmen over Ephraim. Yet, traps are set on every prophet's path, and people are hostile in the temple of their God.

Good News Translation
God has sent me as a prophet to warn his people Israel. Yet wherever I go, you try to trap me like a bird. Even in God's Temple the people are the prophet's enemies.

International Standard Version
While Ephraim stands watch with my God, the prophet has snares set that will trap his ways, and hostility lodges in the Temple of his God.

Majority Standard Bible
The prophet is Ephraim’s watchman, along with my God, yet the snare of the fowler lies on all his paths. Hostility is in the house of his God!

NET Bible
The prophet is a watchman over Ephraim on behalf of God, yet traps are laid for him along all of his paths; animosity rages against him in the land of his God.

New Heart English Bible
A prophet watches over Ephraim with my God. A fowler's snare is on all of his paths, and hostility in the house of his God.

Webster's Bible Translation
The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.

World English Bible
A prophet watches over Ephraim with my God. A fowler’s snare is on all of his paths, and hostility in the house of his God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Ephraim is looking [away] from My God, "" The prophet! A snare of a fowler [is] over all his ways, "" Hatred [is] in the house of his God.

Young's Literal Translation
Ephraim is looking away from My God, The prophet! a snare of a fowler is over all his ways, Hatred is in the house of his God.

Smith's Literal Translation
The watchman of Ephraim with God: the prophet the snare of a fowler upon all his ways; destruction in the house of his God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: the prophet is become a snare of ruin upon all his ways, madness is in the house of his God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The watcher of Ephraim was with my God. The prophet has become a snare of ruin over all his ways; insanity is in the house of his God.

New American Bible
The watchman of Ephraim, the people of my God, is the prophet; yet a fowler’s snare is on all his ways, hostility in the house of his God.

New Revised Standard Version
The prophet is a sentinel for my God over Ephraim, yet a fowler’s snare is on all his ways, and hostility in the house of his God.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The watchman of Ephraim was with my God; but the prophet is a snare and a stumbling block in all his ways, and wantonness in the house of God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The Watchman of Aphreim was with my God; the Prophet is a snare of subversion upon all his ways, and debauchery in the house of God
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Ephraim is a watchman with my God; As for the prophet, a fowler's snare is in all his ways, And enmity in the house of his God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The watchman of Ephraim was with God: the prophet is a crooked snare in all his ways: they have established madness in the house of God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hosea Announces Israel's Punishment
7The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived—let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility. 8The prophet is Ephraim’s watchman, along with my God, yet the snare of the fowler lies on all his paths. Hostility is in the house of his God! 9They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins.…

Cross References
Ezekiel 3:17
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.

Jeremiah 6:17
I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.

Isaiah 21:6
For this is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.

Micah 7:4
The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day for your watchmen has come, the day of your visitation. Now is the time of their confusion.

Jeremiah 23:13-14
“Among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray. / And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.”

Ezekiel 33:7
As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me.

Isaiah 56:10
Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.

Lamentations 2:14
The visions of your prophets were empty and deceptive; they did not expose your guilt to ward off your captivity. The burdens they envisioned for you were empty and misleading.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Acts 20:29-30
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Matthew 24:11
and many false prophets will arise and deceive many.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.


Treasury of Scripture

The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and hatred in the house of his God.

watchman.

Song of Solomon 3:3
The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?

Isaiah 62:6
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,

Jeremiah 6:17
Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.

with.

1 Kings 17:1
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

1 Kings 18:1,36-39
And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth…

1 Kings 22:28
And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.

but.

Hosea 5:1
Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment is toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.

1 Kings 18:19
Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table.

1 Kings 22:6,11,22
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king…

in the.

John 15:24
If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

Romans 3:7
For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

Jump to Previous
Await Bird Enmity Ephraim E'phraim Fowler Fowler's Great Hate Hatred Hostility House Net Paths Prophet Snare Snares Watches Watchman Ways
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Await Bird Enmity Ephraim E'phraim Fowler Fowler's Great Hate Hatred Hostility House Net Paths Prophet Snare Snares Watches Watchman Ways
Hosea 9
1. The distress and captivity of Israel for their sins.














The prophet
In the Hebrew text, the word for "prophet" is "נָבִיא" (navi). Prophets in ancient Israel were divinely appointed messengers who conveyed God's words to the people. They served as spiritual watchmen, tasked with warning the nation of impending judgment and calling them to repentance. In the context of Hosea, the prophet's role is crucial as he stands as a moral and spiritual guide amidst a society that has turned away from God.

is the watchman
The term "watchman" in Hebrew is "צֹפֶה" (tsofeh), which refers to someone who keeps vigil, often on a city wall, to warn of approaching danger. Spiritually, the prophet as a watchman signifies vigilance and responsibility. He is to be alert to the spiritual state of the people and to sound the alarm when they stray from God's commandments. This imagery underscores the prophet's duty to protect and guide Ephraim, representing the northern kingdom of Israel.

of Ephraim
Ephraim was one of the tribes of Israel and often used as a representative name for the northern kingdom. Historically, Ephraim was a leading tribe, known for its strength and influence. However, in Hosea's time, Ephraim had become synonymous with idolatry and rebellion against God. The prophet's role as a watchman for Ephraim highlights the urgent need for spiritual reformation within this wayward tribe.

with my God
This phrase emphasizes the prophet's close relationship with God. The Hebrew preposition "עִם" (im) suggests companionship and alignment. The prophet's authority and insight come from his communion with God, underscoring that his warnings are not of human origin but divinely inspired. This relationship is foundational for the prophet's credibility and effectiveness in his mission.

yet the fowler’s snare
The "fowler’s snare" is a metaphor for traps set by bird catchers, symbolizing the dangers and temptations that ensnare the people. In a spiritual sense, these snares represent the deceit and idolatry that have entangled Ephraim. The imagery conveys the idea that despite the prophet's warnings, the people are caught in a web of sin and rebellion.

is on all his paths
This phrase indicates the pervasive nature of the spiritual traps facing Ephraim. The Hebrew word for "paths" (דֶּרֶךְ, derekh) can also mean "ways" or "conduct." It suggests that every aspect of Ephraim's life is affected by these snares, highlighting the depth of their spiritual crisis. The prophet's task is to illuminate these dangers and guide the people back to righteous paths.

and hostility
The Hebrew word for "hostility" is "אֵיבָה" (eyvah), which denotes enmity or animosity. This hostility is directed towards the prophet and, by extension, towards God. It reflects the people's resistance to divine correction and their preference for sinful ways. The presence of hostility in the house of God underscores the tragic irony of a people who, while claiming to worship God, are in fact opposed to His will.

in the house of his God
The "house of his God" refers to the place of worship, likely the temple or a sanctuary. This phrase highlights the corruption that has infiltrated even the sacred spaces dedicated to God. It serves as a stark reminder of how far Ephraim has fallen, as their rebellion and idolatry have defiled the very places meant for communion with God. The prophet's lament is not just for the people but for the desecration of what is holy.

(8) Prophet.--Many hold that here (as in the previous verse) this word is used in a bad sense (false prophet), and standing contrasted with "the watchman of Ephraim" (or true prophet, Hosea himself, Jeremiah 6:17; Ezekiel 3:17). They would render:--"The watchman of Ephraim is with my God." But the verse is capable of an altogether different, and, on the whole, more satisfactory interpretation: Ephraim is a lier-in-wait, in conflict with my God. As for the prophet, the fowler's snare is in all his ways. (Comp. Matthew 23:34-35.) There is persecution in the house of his God. The objection to this rendering lies in this use of the Hebrew 'im ("in conflict with"). But the word might be read 'am, "people" (comp. LXX. on 2Samuel 1:2): "Ephraim, the people of my God, is a lier-in-wait"--a thought full of pathos, and in harmony with the main idea of this prophecy.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The prophet
נָבִ֞יא (nā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

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

watchman,
צֹפֶ֥ה (ṣō·p̄eh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6822: To lean forward, to peer into the distance, to observe, await

along with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

my God,
אֱלֹהָ֑י (’ĕ·lō·hāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

[yet] the snare
פַּ֤ח (paḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6341: A, sheet, a spring net

of the fowler
יָקוֹשׁ֙ (yā·qō·wōš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3352: Entangling, a snarer

[lies] on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

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

his paths.
דְּרָכָ֔יו (də·rā·ḵāw)
Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

Hostility
מַשְׂטֵמָ֖ה (maś·ṭê·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4895: Animosity

is in the house
בְּבֵ֥ית (bə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of his God!
אֱלֹהָֽיו׃ (’ĕ·lō·hāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT Prophets: Hosea 9:8 A prophet watches over Ephraim with my (Ho Hs Hos.)
Hosea 9:7
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