Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.

HOSEA 7:13KJV
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Hosea 7:13 (KJV)

What does Hosea 7:13 mean?

Hosea 7:13 warns that disaster will come to the people of Israel because they have turned away from God, even though He had rescued them before; instead of being grateful, they lied about Him and broke their relationship with Him. The verse expresses both sorrow and judgment over Israel’s unfaithfulness and rejection of God’s care.

In this verse, the prophet Hosea is speaking God’s words to the nation of Israel during a time when they were repeatedly abandoning God for other pursuits and alliances. The verse highlights how God had acted to save or "redeem" them in the past, but Israel responded with rebellion and dishonesty. The strong language shows the seriousness of their betrayal and the consequences that would follow.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 7:13

  • "Woe" (הוֹי, hoy): This word is often used in the prophets to signal grief, warning, or impending judgment. It sets a tone of deep sorrow and seriousness, not just anger.
  • "Fled" (נָדַד, nadad): This word means to run away or wander off. Here, it pictures Israel not just drifting, but actively turning away from God’s presence and protection.
  • "Destruction" (שֹׁד, shod): This word refers to ruin or devastation, emphasizing that the consequences for abandoning God are severe and unavoidable.
  • "Redeemed" (פָּדָה, padah): This word means to rescue or buy back, often used for God’s saving acts. It reminds the reader that God had already intervened to save Israel, making their betrayal even more striking.
  • "Lies" (כָּזָב, kazav): This word means falsehood or deception. Israel’s response to God’s care was not just neglect, but actively spreading untruths about Him.

Why Hosea 7:13 matters

  • Hosea 7:13 clears up the idea that Israel’s troubles were random; the verse shows they were the result of a broken relationship with God, despite His past help.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s judgment is not impulsive but comes after repeated acts of care and rescue that were rejected by the people.
  • Hosea 7:13 connects to the wider message of Hosea, where God’s love and Israel’s unfaithfulness are contrasted, showing the pain and seriousness of turning away from a faithful God.

Where else these words appear

“Woe” Hebrew H188 · used in 23 verses

  • Numbers 21:29 Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
  • Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
  • Jeremiah 15:10 Woe is me, my mother, that thou hast borne me a man of strife and a man of contention to the whole earth! I have neither lent on usury, nor men have lent to me on usury; yet every one of them doth curse me.

“destruction” Hebrew H7701 · used in 24 verses

  • Job 5:21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
  • Isaiah 22:4 Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.
  • Hosea 9:6 For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant places for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns shall be in their tabernacles.

“fled” Hebrew H5074 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 31:40 Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.
  • Psalms 64:8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
  • Isaiah 21:15 For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.

“lies” Hebrew H3577 · used in 31 verses

  • Judges 16:10 And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.
  • Proverbs 14:25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
  • Ezekiel 13:7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?