◄ Hosea 10:6 ►
Yes, it will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will be seized with shame; Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols.
Study Bible
Yes, it will be carried to Assyria
This phrase indicates the certainty of the impending judgment. The "it" refers to the golden calf idol of Samaria, which was a central object of worship in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The act of carrying it to Assyria symbolizes the defeat and humiliation of Israel. Historically, Assyria was a dominant empire during Hosea's time, known for its military prowess and expansionist policies. The carrying away of the idol signifies the loss of Israel's autonomy and the futility of their idolatry.

as tribute to the great king
The "great king" refers to the Assyrian monarch, likely Shalmaneser V or Sargon II, who were known for demanding tributes from conquered peoples. In the ancient Near Eastern context, paying tribute was a sign of subjugation and acknowledgment of the superior power of the conqueror. This phrase underscores the humiliation of Israel, as their idol, once a source of false pride, becomes a mere object of tribute to a foreign ruler.

Ephraim will be seized with shame
Ephraim, representing the largest and most influential tribe of the Northern Kingdom, is used here as a synonym for Israel. The Hebrew root for "shame" (בּוּשׁ, "bush") conveys a deep sense of disgrace and dishonor. This shame arises from the realization of their misplaced trust in idols and the subsequent consequences. The prophetic message is clear: reliance on anything other than God leads to inevitable shame and downfall.

Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols
The phrase highlights the irony and futility of idol worship. The "wooden idols" are a stark contrast to the living God of Israel. In the Hebrew context, idols were often crafted from wood and overlaid with precious metals, yet they were powerless and lifeless. The shame of Israel is compounded by the recognition that these idols, which they revered and trusted, could not save them from destruction. This serves as a powerful reminder of the first commandment and the call to exclusive worship of Yahweh.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ephraim
Represents the northern kingdom of Israel, often used synonymously with Israel in the prophetic books. Ephraim was the largest tribe and often led the northern kingdom.

2. Assyria
A powerful empire during the time of Hosea, known for its military might and conquests. Assyria was a significant threat to Israel and eventually conquered the northern kingdom.

3. The Great King
Refers to the king of Assyria, who was seen as a dominant ruler during this period.

4. Wooden Idols
Symbolize the false gods and idolatry that Israel pursued, leading them away from the worship of the one true God.

5. Shame
A key theme in this verse, indicating the disgrace and humiliation that Israel would experience due to their idolatry and subsequent defeat.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Idolatry
Idolatry leads to spiritual and national downfall. Just as Israel faced shame and defeat, modern believers must guard against placing anything above God in their lives.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God uses nations and leaders to accomplish His purposes. Believers should trust in God's ultimate control over world events, even when circumstances seem dire.

The Danger of Complacency
Israel's reliance on idols reflects a complacency in their relationship with God. Christians are called to remain vigilant in their faith and not become complacent in their spiritual walk.

Repentance and Restoration
While Hosea speaks of judgment, it also calls for repentance. Believers are encouraged to turn back to God, knowing that He is merciful and ready to restore.

The Shame of Sin
Sin brings shame and separation from God. Recognizing the shame of sin should lead believers to seek forgiveness and restoration through Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the historical context of Assyria's dominance help us understand the message of Hosea 10:6?

2. In what ways can modern believers identify and remove "wooden idols" from their lives?

3. How does the theme of shame in Hosea 10:6 relate to the concept of conviction and repentance in the New Testament?

4. What lessons can we learn from Israel's complacency and idolatry that apply to our personal and communal faith journeys today?

5. How can understanding God's sovereignty over nations and history provide comfort and guidance in today's world?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 17
Provides historical context for the fall of Israel to Assyria, highlighting the consequences of Israel's idolatry and disobedience to God.

Isaiah 10
Discusses Assyria as an instrument of God's judgment, emphasizing God's sovereignty even over powerful nations.

Jeremiah 2
Explores the theme of Israel's unfaithfulness and the futility of idolatry, similar to the message in Hosea.
Sermons
The Calves and the KingsC. Jerdan Hosea 10:1-8
The End of Calf-WorshipJ. Orr Hosea 10:4-8
The Degrading Influence of False WorshipGeorge Hutcheson.Hosea 10:5-6
People
Hosea, Jacob, Jareb, Shalman
Places
Assyria, Aven, Beth-arbel, Beth-aven, Bethel, Gibeah, Gilgal, Samaria
Topics
Ashamed, Asshur, Assyria, Carried, Contentious, Counsel, Disgraced, Ephraim, E'phraim, Idol, Idols, Image, Itself, Jareb, Present, Receive, Seized, Shame, Shamed, Tribute, Warlike, Wooden, Yea
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Hosea 10:6

     5577   taxation
     5836   disgrace
     8771   idolatry, objections

Hosea 10:5-6

     4552   wood
     5594   tribute
     7324   calf worship

Hosea 10:5-8

     7233   Israel, northern kingdom

Library
'Fruit which is Death'
'Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images. 2. Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: He shall break down their altars, He shall spoil their images. 3. For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the Lord; what then should a king do to us? 4. They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Divided Heart
I intend, however, to take the text this morning specially with reference to our individual condition. We shall look at the separate individual heart of each man. If divisions in the great main body--if separation among the distinct classes of that body should each promote disasters, how much more disastrous must be a division in that better kingdom--the heart of man. If there be civil tumult in the town of Mansoul, even when no enemy attacks its walls, it will be in a sufficiently dangerous position. …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

How to Promote a Revival.
Text.--Break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.--Hosea x. 12. THE Jews were a nation of farmers, and it is therefore a common thing in the Scriptures to refer for illustrations to their occupation, and to the scenes with which farmers and shepherds are familiar. The prophet Hosea addresses them as a nation of backsliders, and reproves them for their idolatry, and threatens them with the judgments of God. I have showed you in my first …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Books of the Old Testament as a Whole. 1 the Province of Particular Introduction is to Consider the Books of the Bible Separately...
CHAPTER XVIII. THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT AS A WHOLE. 1. The province of Particular Introduction is to consider the books of the Bible separately, in respect to their authorship, date, contents, and the place which each of them holds in the system of divine truth. Here it is above all things important that we begin with the idea of the unity of divine revelation--that all the parts of the Bible constitute a gloriously perfect whole, of which God and not man is the author. No amount of study devoted …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Arbel. Shezor. Tarnegola the Upper.
"Arbel a city of Galilee."--There is mention of it in Hosea 10:14. But there are authors which do very differently interpret that place, viz. the Chaldee paraphrast, R. Solomon, Kimchi: consult them. It was between Zippor and Tiberias. Hence Nittai the Arbelite, who was president with Josua Ben Perahiah. The valley of Arbel is mentioned by the Talmudists. So also "The Arbelite Bushel." "Near Zephath in Upper Galilee was a town named Shezor, whence was R. Simeon Shezori: there he was buried. There …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Letter Xli to Thomas of St. Omer, after He had Broken his Promise of Adopting a Change of Life.
To Thomas of St. Omer, After He Had Broken His Promise of Adopting a Change of Life. He urges him to leave his studies and enter religion, and sets before him the miserable end of Thomas of Beverley. To his dearly beloved son, Thomas, Brother Bernard, called Abbot of Clairvaux, that he may walk in the fear of the Lord. 1. You do well in acknowledging the debt of your promise, and in not denying your guilt in deferring its performance. But I beg you not to think simply of what you promised, but to …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Of Love to God
I proceed to the second general branch of the text. The persons interested in this privilege. They are lovers of God. "All things work together for good, to them that love God." Despisers and haters of God have no lot or part in this privilege. It is children's bread, it belongs only to them that love God. Because love is the very heart and spirit of religion, I shall the more fully treat upon this; and for the further discussion of it, let us notice these five things concerning love to God. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
DO not mistake me, I do not say that of their own nature the worst things are good, for they are a fruit of the curse; but though they are naturally evil, yet the wise overruling hand of God disposing and sanctifying them, they are morally good. As the elements, though of contrary qualities, yet God has so tempered them, that they all work in a harmonious manner for the good of the universe. Or as in a watch, the wheels seem to move contrary one to another, but all carry on the motions of the watch: …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Barren Fig-Tree;
OR, THE DOOM AND DOWNFALL OF THE FRUITLESS PROFESSOR: SHOWING, THAT THE DAY OF GRACE MAY BE PAST WITH HIM LONG BEFORE HIS LIFE IS ENDED; THE SIGNS ALSO BY WHICH SUCH MISERABLE MORTALS MAY BE KNOWN. BY JOHN BUNYAN 'Who being dead, yet speaketh.'--Hebrews 11:4 London: Printed for J. Robinson, at the Golden Lion, in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1688. This Title has a broad Black Border. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This solemn, searching, awful treatise, was published by Bunyan in 1682; but does not appear …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
Acts ix. 6. Acts ix. 6. And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do. THESE are the words of Saul, who also is called Paul, (Acts xiii. 9,) when he was stricken to the ground as he was going to Damascus; and any one who had looked upon him in his present circumstances and knew nothing more of him than that view, in comparison with his past life, could have given, would have imagined him one of the most miserable creatures that ever lived upon earth, and would have expected …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

"There is Therefore Now no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. "
Rom. viii. 1.--"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." There are three things which concur to make man miserable,--sin, condemnation, and affliction. Every one may observe that "man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward," that his days here are few and evil. He possesses "months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed" for him. Job v. 6, 7, vii. 3. He "is of few days and full of trouble," Job xiv. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Hosea
The book of Hosea divides naturally into two parts: i.-iii. and iv.-xiv., the former relatively clear and connected, the latter unusually disjointed and obscure. The difference is so unmistakable that i.-iii. have usually been assigned to the period before the death of Jeroboam II, and iv.-xiv. to the anarchic period which succeeded. Certainly Hosea's prophetic career began before the end of Jeroboam's reign, as he predicts the fall of the reigning dynasty, i. 4, which practically ended with Jeroboam's …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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