How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

HOSEA 11:8KJV
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Hosea 11:8 (KJV)

What does Hosea 11:8 mean?

Hosea 11:8 shows God expressing deep anguish over the idea of giving up on the people of Israel, comparing them to the destroyed cities of Admah and Zeboim, but declaring that his heart is deeply moved and his compassion is stirred. The verse highlights God’s struggle between justice and mercy, revealing his reluctance to abandon his people despite their unfaithfulness.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Hosea to the northern kingdom of Israel, often called Ephraim. The situation is one where Israel has repeatedly turned away from God, yet God’s words here show a personal, emotional response rather than cold judgment. By mentioning Admah and Zeboim—cities destroyed alongside Sodom and Gomorrah—God emphasizes how close Israel is to total destruction, but also how his love and compassion hold him back from carrying it out.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 11:8

  • "Heart" (לֵב, lev): This word means the inner self, emotions, or will. Here, it shows that God’s response is not mechanical but deeply personal and emotional.
  • "Turned" (הָפַךְ, hafakh): This word means to be changed or overturned. The verse uses it to describe how God’s heart is turned within him, highlighting an inner turmoil or change of feeling.
  • "Repentings" (נִחֻמִים, nichumim): This word means feelings of regret or compassion. In this context, it shows that God is moved to reconsider his anger and judgment.
  • "Kindled together" (יָכַד, yakhad): This phrase means to be stirred up or inflamed together. It underlines that God’s compassion and change of heart are intense and simultaneous.

Why Hosea 11:8 matters

  • Hosea 11:8 clears up the idea that God’s judgment is always harsh or automatic; the verse reveals a God who feels deeply and struggles with the idea of punishing his people.
  • The verse connects Israel’s situation to the fate of Admah and Zeboim, showing just how serious their rebellion is, but also how God’s mercy interrupts what seems like certain destruction.
  • Hosea 11:8 is a turning point in the chapter, shifting from warnings of judgment to a focus on God’s compassion, which shapes the rest of the message in Hosea.

Where else these words appear

“deliver” Hebrew H4042 · used in 3 verses

  • Genesis 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
  • Proverbs 4:9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

“repentings” Hebrew H5150 · used in 3 verses

  • Isaiah 57:18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
  • Zechariah 1:13 And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.

“kindled” Hebrew H3648 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 43:30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.
  • 1 Kings 3:26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.
  • Lamentations 5:10 Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.

“Admah” Hebrew H126 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 10:19 And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.
  • Genesis 14:2 That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
  • Genesis 14:8 And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela(the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;