Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.
Parallel translations
- WEB “Ephraim is like an easily deceived dove, without understanding. They call to Egypt. They go to Assyria.
- BSB So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove—calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria.
- NKJV “Ephraimalso is like a silly dove, without sense— They call to Egypt, They go to Assyria.
- NASB So Ephraim has become like a gullible dove, without sense; They call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.
- NLT “The people of Israel have become like silly, witless doves, first calling to Egypt, then flying to Assyria for help.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Ephraim is like a silly, senseless dove, fluttering to Egypt and then to Assyria for help.
Overview
Israel's foreign policy is mocked as the behavior of a foolish dove flitting helplessly between great powers instead of trusting God. Their lack of understanding leads them to seek security in the very nations that will undo them. The verse exposes the folly of trusting anything other than the LORD, a folly the gospel answers by directing faith to Christ alone.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Hos 12:1Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
- Hos 5:13When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.
- Hos 11:11They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.
- Hos 4:11Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.
- Jer 2:18And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?
- Prov 6:32But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
- Hos 9:3They shall not dwell in the LORD’s land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things in Assyria.
- Jer 2:36Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.
- Isa 30:1–6Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
- Prov 15:32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
- 2 Kgs 17:3–4Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents.
- Isa 31:1–3Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
- Hos 8:8–9Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.
- Hos 14:3Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.
- 2 Kgs 15:19And 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.
- Ezek 23:4–8And the names of them were Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters. Thus were their names; Samaria is Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah.
- Prov 17:16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
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Christ at the center
God's relentless love for an unfaithful bride dramatizes the gospel: 'Out of Egypt I called my son' is fulfilled in Jesus, who redeems an adulterous people at his own cost.
How Hosea 7:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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