1. κατὰ τὸν λόγον Εφραιμ δικαιώματα αὐτὸς ἔλαβεν ἐν τῷ Ισραηλ καὶ ἔθετο αὐτὰ τῇ Βααλ καὶ ἀπέθανεν
2. καὶ προσέθετο τοῦ ἁμαρτάνειν ἔτι καὶ ἐποίησαν ἑαυτοῖς χώνευμα ἐκ τοῦ ἀργυρίου αὐτῶν κατ’ εἰκόνα εἰδώλων ἔργα τεκτόνων συντετελεσμένα αὐτοῖς αὐτοὶ λέγουσιν θύσατε ἀνθρώπους μόσχοι γὰρ ἐκλελοίπασιν
3. διὰ τοῦτο ἔσονται ὡς νεφέλη πρωινὴ καὶ ὡς δρόσος ὀρθρινὴ πορευομένη ὥσπερ χνοῦς ἀποφυσώμενος ἀφ’ ἅλωνος καὶ ὡς ἀτμὶς ἀπὸ ἀκρίδων
4. ἐγὼ δὲ κύριος ὁ θεός σου στερεῶν οὐρανὸν καὶ κτίζων γῆν οὗ αἱ χεῖρες ἔκτισαν πᾶσαν τὴν στρατιὰν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ οὐ παρέδειξά σοι αὐτὰ τοῦ πορεύεσθαι ὀπίσω αὐτῶν καὶ ἐγὼ ἀνήγαγόν σε ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου καὶ θεὸν πλὴν ἐμοῦ οὐ γνώσῃ καὶ σῴζων οὐκ ἔστιν πάρεξ ἐμοῦ
5. ἐγὼ ἐποίμαινόν σε ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἐν γῇ ἀοικήτῳ
6. κατὰ τὰς νομὰς αὐτῶν καὶ ἐνεπλήσθησαν εἰς πλησμονήν καὶ ὑψώθησαν αἱ καρδίαι αὐτῶν ἕνεκα τούτου ἐπελάθοντό μου
7. καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτοῖς ὡς πανθὴρ καὶ ὡς πάρδαλις κατὰ τὴν ὁδὸν Ἀσσυρίων
8. ἀπαντήσομαι αὐτοῖς ὡς ἄρκος ἀπορουμένη καὶ διαρρήξω συγκλεισμὸν καρδίας αὐτῶν καὶ καταφάγονται αὐτοὺς ἐκεῖ σκύμνοι δρυμοῦ θηρία ἀγροῦ διασπάσει αὐτούς
9. τῇ διαφθορᾷ σου Ισραηλ τίς βοηθήσει
10. ποῦ ὁ βασιλεύς σου οὗτος καὶ διασωσάτω σε ἐν πάσαις ταῖς πόλεσίν σου κρινάτω σε ὃν εἶπας δός μοι βασιλέα καὶ ἄρχοντα
11. καὶ ἔδωκά σοι βασιλέα ἐν ὀργῇ μου καὶ ἔσχον ἐν τῷ θυμῷ μου
12. συστροφὴν ἀδικίας Εφραιμ ἐγκεκρυμμένη ἡ ἁμαρτία αὐτοῦ
13. ὠδῖνες ὡς τικτούσης ἥξουσιν αὐτῷ οὗτος ὁ υἱός σου οὐ φρόνιμος διότι οὐ μὴ ὑποστῇ ἐν συντριβῇ τέκνων
14. ἐκ χειρὸς ᾅδου ῥύσομαι αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐκ θανάτου λυτρώσομαι αὐτούς ποῦ ἡ δίκη σου θάνατε ποῦ τὸ κέντρον σου ᾅδη παράκλησις κέκρυπται ἀπὸ ὀφθαλμῶν μου
15. διότι οὗτος ἀνὰ μέσον ἀδελφῶν διαστελεῖ ἐπάξει ἄνεμον καύσωνα κύριος ἐκ τῆς ἐρήμου ἐπ’ αὐτόν καὶ ἀναξηρανεῖ τὰς φλέβας αὐτοῦ ἐξερημώσει τὰς πηγὰς αὐτοῦ αὐτὸς καταξηρανεῖ τὴν γῆν αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντα τὰ σκεύη τὰ ἐπιθυμητὰ αὐτοῦ
Footnotes:
13:1-3 - Ephraim's sin is compared to the decay of the flesh, reflecting the gravity of his transgression. When the people prosper, they forget God and seek their own security rather than trusting in Him. God's judgment is inevitable for those who reject His sovereignty (see also Deuteronomy 32:15 and Isaiah 59:2).
13:4-6 - Rejecting God's grace and pursuing idols results in spiritual decline. God reminds us that He was the one who freed Israel from slavery in Egypt, and it is only He who can offer true freedom and prosperity (see also Exodus 20:2-3 and John 8:36).
13:7-11 - God promises to bring judgment against Ephraim for their idolatry, comparing His actions to those of a lion devouring its prey. The message is clear: God is faithful to His justice, and if the people do not repent, the punishment will be severe (see also Amos 1:2 and Revelation 19:11).
13:12-16 - Ephraim's tragedy is described as a painful death, symbolizing the people's suffering due to their rejection of God. The destruction of Samaria and the end of Jeroboam's dynasty are anticipated as a consequence of his rebellion (see also Jeremiah 8:20 and Matthew 24:2).
Verses related to Oséias, 13:
Hosea chapter 13 announces the final judgment on Israel. What are the ultimate consequences of apostasy? This harsh text compares the fall of Israel to the dissipation of the morning fog, addressing themes such as idolatry, ingratitude, and God's sovereignty in judgment. The chapter, however, does not end without hope, alluding to future redemption. Hosea 13 reveals both the seriousness of sin and the possibility of restoration. Consider with us five biblical passages that elucidate the crucial themes of this impactful chapter.
1 Corinthians 15:55: "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'" - Paul quotes Hosea 13:14, reinterpreting it in light of Christ's victory over death.
Revelation 13:2: "The beast that I saw was like a leopard, but it had feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power, his throne and great authority." - This image of fierce animals echoes the metaphors used in Hosea 13:7-8 to describe God's judgment.
Deuteronomy 32:39: "See now that I am the only God! There is no one other than me. I give death and make life, I wound and I will heal, and no one can escape from my hand'." - This verse reflects the theme of Hosea 13:4, where God asserts his oneness and sovereignty.
Ezekiel 34:23-24: "I will put one shepherd over them, my servant David, and he will feed them; he will pasture them and be their shepherd. I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will be their leader among them. I, the Lord, have spoken." - This promise from a Davidic shepherd contrasts with the king's rejection in Hosea 13:10-11.
John 3:14-15: "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must also be lifted up, so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." - This verse offers a Christological interpretation of salvation, echoing themes from Hosea 13:14.
FAQ:
What does Hosea 13 say about Israel's idolatry?
Israel is rebuked for their idolatry, and God warns that because of their idol worship, they will suffer destruction. (Hosea 13:2-3)
How does God describe the destruction of Israel in Hosea 13?
God describes destruction as inevitable because of Israel's rebellion and idolatry, and they will be punished for their turning away from Him. (Hosea 13:3-16)
What does God's lament in Hosea 13:8 mean?
God's lament in Hosea 13:8 reflects His disgust at Israel's betrayal, comparing Himself to a lion ready to devour its prey. (Hosea 13:8)
What can we learn about God's mercy from Hosea 13?
Even in the face of imminent destruction, God offers Israel a chance for repentance and restoration, demonstrating His mercy. (Hosea 13:14)
What is promised to Israel after repentance in Hosea 13?
God promises to rescue Israel from death and destruction, offering forgiveness and restoration if the people repent and return to Him. (Hosea 13:14)
