When 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.

HOSEA 5:13KJV
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Hosea 5:13 (KJV)

What does Hosea 5:13 mean?

Hosea 5:13 describes how the people of Ephraim (the northern kingdom of Israel) and Judah recognized their troubles—called "sickness" and "wound"—and instead of turning to God, they sought help from Assyria and its king, but Assyria could not heal or fix their problems. The verse shows that political alliances could not solve the deep issues facing Israel and Judah.

In this verse, the prophet Hosea is speaking to both the northern and southern kingdoms during a time of national crisis. The "sickness" and "wound" refer to the moral and spiritual decline of the people, which led to real political and social troubles. Instead of seeking God, Ephraim (Israel) looked to the powerful Assyrian empire for help, specifically to a figure called "king Jareb," but this foreign king was powerless to bring true healing.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 5:13

  • "Sickness" (חֳלִי, ḥolî) and "wound" (מָזוֹר, māzôr) both point to deep, serious problems, not just minor issues. These words often describe serious affliction or injury, suggesting the nation's problems are severe and not easily fixed.
  • "King Jareb" (מֶלֶךְ יָרֵב, melekh yārēv) is a name that means "king who contends" or "king adversary." This may not be a personal name but a title or description, emphasizing that the king of Assyria was not a true ally but more of an opponent.
  • "Heal" (רָפָא, rapha) and "cure" (גָּהָה, gāhāh) both refer to restoring health, but the verse stresses that the Assyrian king could do neither, highlighting the futility of trusting in human power for spiritual or national healing.

Why Hosea 5:13 matters

  • Hosea 5:13 clarifies that Israel and Judah’s main problem was spiritual, not just political or military, and that foreign help could not address the root issue.
  • The verse connects to the wider message of Hosea, where God calls His people to return to Him rather than rely on alliances or human solutions.
  • Understanding the meaning of "king Jareb" helps readers see that the supposed helper was actually an adversary, deepening the sense of misplaced trust in the passage.

Where else these words appear

“wound” Hebrew H4205 · used in 2 verses

  • Jeremiah 30:13 There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines.

“Jareb” Hebrew H3377 · used in 2 verses

  • Hosea 10:6 It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

“sickness” Hebrew H2483 · used in 22 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:15 And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.
  • 2 Kings 13:14 Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
  • Ecclesiastes 6:2 A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

“Jareb” Hebrew H7378 · used in 59 verses

  • Genesis 26:20 And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.
  • Nehemiah 13:11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
  • Proverbs 25:9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: