Like a wild donkey looking for a mate, they have gone up to Assyria. The people of Israel have sold themselves— sold themselves to many lovers.
Parallel translations
- WEB For they have gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has hired lovers for himself.
- KJV For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.
- BSB For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey on its own. Ephraim has hired lovers.
- NKJV For they have gone up to Assyria, Like a wild donkey alone by itself; Ephraim has hired lovers.
- NASB For they have gone up to Assyria, Like a wild donkey all alone; Ephraim has paid fees for lovers.
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 has gone to Assyria like a stubborn wild donkey, hiring lovers among the nations.
Overview
Israel's pursuit of an Assyrian alliance is likened to a wild donkey going its own way and to a harlot paying for lovers. Instead of being courted, Israel debases itself, paying tribute to win foreign favor. The imagery of spiritual prostitution recurs, exposing the shame of seeking security anywhere but in the faithful covenant Lord.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Jer 2:24a wild donkey used to the wilderness, that sniffs the wind in her craving. When she is in heat, who can turn her away? All those who seek her will not weary themselves. In her month, they will find her.
- Hos 7:11“Ephraim is like an easily deceived dove, without understanding. They call to Egypt. They go to Assyria.
- Hos 5:13“When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah his wound, Then Ephraim went to Assyria, and sent to king Jareb: but he is not able to heal you, neither will he cure you of your wound.
- Ezek 16:33–34People give gifts to all prostitutes; but you give your gifts to all your lovers, and bribe them, that they may come to you on every side for your prostitution.
- 2 Kgs 15:19Pul the king of Assyria came against the land, and Menahem gave Pul one thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
- Isa 30:6The burden of the animals of the South. Through the land of trouble and anguish, of the lioness and the lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they carry their riches on the shoulders of young donkeys, and their treasures on the humps of camels, to an unprofitable people.
- Hos 12:1Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.
- Ezek 23:5–9“Oholah played the prostitute when she was mine. She doted on her lovers, on the Assyrians her neighbors,
- Job 39:5–8“Who has set the wild donkey free? Or who has loosened the bonds of the swift donkey,
- Hos 2:10Now I will uncover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and no one will deliver her out of my hand.
- Hos 2:5–7For their mother has played the prostitute. She who conceived them has done shamefully; for she said, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.’
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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 8:9 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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