Hosea 9:14 (KJV)

What does Hosea 9:14 mean?

Hosea 9:14 is a prayer asking God to punish Israel by withholding children, specifically by causing miscarriages and preventing mothers from being able to nurse. The verse expresses a plea for judgment through infertility and loss, reflecting deep distress over Israel’s unfaithfulness.

The prophet Hosea is speaking to God about the people of Israel, who have turned away from God and broken their covenant. Hosea’s words show his anguish over their sin and the seriousness of the coming consequences. The request for a “miscarrying womb and dry breasts” is a vivid way of describing the end of future generations, which in ancient Israel would have been seen as a devastating curse.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 9:14

• “Give” (נָתַן, natan): This word appears three times in the verse, emphasizing the prophet’s urgent and repeated request for God to act.
• “Miscarrying” (שַׁכּוּל, shakol): This word means “bereaved” or “miscarrying,” highlighting the specific kind of suffering Hosea is asking God to bring—loss of children before or after birth.
• “Womb” (רֶחֶם, rechem): This word refers to the mother’s womb, the source of life, which Hosea asks God to close.
• “Dry” (צָמֵא, tsame): This word means “dry” or “parched,” and when paired with “breasts” (שַׁד, shad), it paints a picture of mothers unable to nurse their children, deepening the sense of loss.

Why Hosea 9:14 matters

• Hosea 9:14 shows the depth of Hosea’s grief and frustration over Israel’s persistent unfaithfulness, making clear how serious the situation has become.
• The verse uses strong, physical imagery to communicate the severity of God’s judgment, helping readers understand the cultural weight of infertility and child loss in ancient Israel.
• This verse connects to the wider theme in Hosea of broken relationship and the painful consequences that come when a people turn away from God, setting the stage for the warnings and laments that follow.