New International Version“I will deliver this people from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction? “I will have no compassion,
New Living Translation“Should I ransom them from the grave? Should I redeem them from death? O death, bring on your terrors! O grave, bring on your plagues! For I will not take pity on them.
English Standard VersionI shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
Berean Standard BibleI will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from Death. Where, O Death, are your plagues? Where, O Sheol, is your sting? Compassion is hidden from My eyes.
King James BibleI will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
New King James Version“I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes.”
New American Standard BibleShall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from death? Death, where are your thorns? Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion will be hidden from My sight.
NASB 1995Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from death? O Death, where are your thorns? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion will be hidden from My sight.
NASB 1977Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from death? O Death, where are your thorns? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion will be hidden from My sight.
Legacy Standard BibleShall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from death? O Death, where are your thorns? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion will be hidden from My sight.
Amplified BibleShall I ransom them from the power of Sheol (the place of the dead)? Shall I redeem them from death? O death, where are your thorns? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from My eyes [because of their failure to repent].
Christian Standard BibleI will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from death. Death, where are your barbs? Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
Holman Christian Standard BibleI will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from death. Death, where are your barbs? Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from My eyes.
American Standard VersionI will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from death: O death, where are thy plagues? O Sheol, where is thy destruction? repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
Contemporary English VersionShould I, the LORD, rescue you from death and the grave? No! I call death and the grave to strike you like a plague. I refuse to show mercy.
English Revised VersionI will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, where are thy plagues? O grave, where is thy destruction? repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
GOD'S WORD® Translation"I want to free them from the power of the grave. I want to reclaim them from death. Death, I want to be a plague to you. Grave, I want to destroy you. I won't even think of changing my plans."
Good News TranslationI will not save this people from the world of the dead or rescue them from the power of death. Bring on your plagues, death! Bring on your destruction, world of the dead! I will no longer have pity for this people.
International Standard Version"From the power of Sheol I will rescue them, from death I will redeem them. Death, where are your plagues? Sheol, where is your destruction? My eyes will remain closed to your pleas for compassion.
NET BibleWill I deliver them from the power of Sheol? No, I will not! Will I redeem them from death? No, I will not! O Death, bring on your plagues! O Sheol, bring on your destruction! My eyes will not show any compassion!
New Heart English BibleI will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from death. Death, where is your victory? Sheol, where is your sting? "Compassion will be hidden from my eyes.
Webster's Bible TranslationI will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues, O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from my eyes. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from Death. Where, O Death, are your plagues? Where, O Sheol, is your sting? Compassion is hidden from My eyes.
World English BibleI will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from death! Death, where are your plagues? Sheol, where is your destruction? “Compassion will be hidden from my eyes. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWill I ransom them from the hand of Sheol? Will I redeem them from death? Where [is] your plague, O death? Where your destruction, O Sheol? Comfort is hid from My eyes.
Young's Literal Translation From the hand of Sheol I do ransom them, From death I redeem them, Where is thy plague, O death? Where thy destruction, O Sheol? Repentance is hid from Mine eyes.
Smith's Literal TranslationFrom the hand of hades will I redeem them; from death will I ransom them: I will be thy words, O death, I will be thy cutting off, O hades: consolation will be hid from mine eyes. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI will deliver them out of the hand of death. I will redeem them from death : O death, I will be thy death; O hell, I will be thy bite: comfort is hidden from my eyes.
Catholic Public Domain VersionI will free them from the hand of death; from death I will redeem them. Death, I will be your death. Hell, I will be your deadly wound. Consolation is hidden from my eyes.
New American BibleShall I deliver them from the power of Sheol? shall I redeem them from death? Where are your plagues, O death! where is your sting, Sheol! Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
New Revised Standard VersionShall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your destruction? Compassion is hidden from my eyes. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI will save them from the power of Sheol; I will deliver them from death, O death, where is your victory? O Sheol, where is your sting? Consolation is hidden from my eyes.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedFrom the hand of Sheol I shall redeem them, and from death I shall save them. Where is therefore your victory, death? Oh, where is your sting, Sheol? Comfort is hidden from my eyes OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Shall I ransom them from the power of the nether-world? Shall I redeem them from death? Ho, thy plagues, O death! Ho, thy destruction, O netherworld! Repentance be hid from Mine eyes!
Brenton Septuagint TranslationI will deliver them out of the power of Hades, and will redeem them from death: where is thy penalty, O death? O Hades, where is thy sting? comfort is hidden from mine eyes.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context God's Mercy… 13Labor pains come upon him, but he is an unwise son. When the time arrives, he fails to present himself at the opening of the womb. 14I will ransom themfrom the powerof Sheol;I will redeem themfrom Death.Where,O Death,are your plagues?Where,O Sheol,is your sting?Compassionis hiddenfrom My eyes.
Cross References 1 Corinthians 15:54-55When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” / “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?”
Isaiah 25:8He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove the disgrace of His people from the whole earth. For the LORD has spoken.
Revelation 21:4‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”
1 Corinthians 15:26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Romans 6:9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.
John 11:25-26Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
2 Timothy 1:10And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel,
Hebrews 2:14-15Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, / and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
Romans 8:38-39For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, / neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. / After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.
Ezekiel 37:12-14Therefore prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘O My people, I will open your graves and bring you up from them, and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. / Then you, My people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. / I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.’”
Isaiah 26:19Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead.
Daniel 12:2And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.
Job 19:25-27But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth. / Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. / I will see Him for myself; my eyes will behold Him, and not as a stranger. How my heart yearns within me!
Psalm 49:15But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah
Treasury of Scripture I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be your plagues; O grave, I will be your destruction: repentance shall be hid from my eyes. ransom. Hosea 6:2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Job 19:25-27 For I knowthat my redeemer liveth, andthat he shall stand at the latterday upon the earth: … Job 33:24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. power. Isaiah 26:19 Thy deadmen shall live,together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dewis as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:21,22,52-57 For since by mancame death, by mancame also the resurrection of the dead… 2 Corinthians 5:4 For we that are inthis tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. repentance. Numbers 23:19 Godis not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not doit? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? 1 Samuel 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for heis not a man, that he should repent. Jeremiah 15:6 Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward: therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I am weary with repenting. Jump to Previous CompassionDeathDestructionEyesFreeGraveHandHidHiddenHoNether-WorldPainsPlaguePlaguesPowerPriceRansomRedeemRepentanceSaviourSheolSightStingThornsUnderworldJump to Next CompassionDeathDestructionEyesFreeGraveHandHidHiddenHoNether-WorldPainsPlaguePlaguesPowerPriceRansomRedeemRepentanceSaviourSheolSightStingThornsUnderworldHosea 13 1.Ephraim's glory vanishes.4.God's anger.9.God's mercy.15.The judgment of Samaria.I will ransom them from the power of Sheol;This phrase indicates God's promise to deliver His people from the grave, symbolized by "Sheol," the Hebrew term for the realm of the dead. The concept of ransom implies a payment or exchange, reflecting the sacrificial system in the Old Testament where a price was paid for redemption. This foreshadows the ultimate ransom paid by Jesus Christ, as referenced in the New Testament ( Mark 10:45), where His death and resurrection conquer the power of death and the grave. I will redeem them from Death.
Redemption here signifies a release or liberation, often used in the context of freeing someone from slavery or captivity. In biblical terms, death is seen as the ultimate enemy, and God's promise to redeem His people from death points to the hope of resurrection. This is echoed in1 Corinthians 15:54-57, where Paul speaks of victory over death through Jesus Christ, highlighting the fulfillment of this promise. Where, O Death, are your plagues?
This rhetorical question challenges the power and finality of death. In ancient Near Eastern culture, plagues were often seen as manifestations of divine judgment or wrath. By questioning the presence of death's plagues, the text suggests a future where death's power is nullified. This anticipates the New Testament's assurance of eternal life through Christ, who has overcome death (Revelation 21:4). Where, O Sheol, is your sting?
The "sting" of Sheol refers to the pain and fear associated with death and the grave. This imagery is used by Paul in1 Corinthians 15:55 to describe the defeat of death through Christ's resurrection. The absence of Sheol's sting signifies the hope of eternal life and the removal of death's hold over humanity, a central theme in Christian eschatology. Compassion is hidden from My eyes.
This phrase reflects God's judgment and the withdrawal of His mercy due to Israel's persistent sin and rebellion. In the context of Hosea, it underscores the seriousness of Israel's spiritual adultery and the consequences of turning away from God. However, it also serves as a backdrop to the promise of redemption, highlighting the tension between divine justice and mercy, ultimately resolved in the redemptive work of Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. HoseaA prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Hosea's ministry focused on calling Israel back to faithfulness to God amidst their idolatry and moral decline. 2. SheolIn Hebrew thought, Sheol is the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and separation from the living. 3. DeathPersonified here, Death represents the ultimate enemy and consequence of sin, which God promises to overcome. 4. IsraelThe Northern Kingdom, often depicted as unfaithful to God, yet still the recipient of His promises of redemption. 5. GodThe speaker in this verse, expressing His power over death and His intention to redeem His people. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over DeathGod declares His power to ransom and redeem from death, showcasing His ultimate authority over life and death. The Promise of RedemptionDespite Israel's unfaithfulness, God promises redemption, highlighting His grace and mercy. Victory Over Sin and DeathThe rhetorical questions about death's plagues and Sheol's sting point to the future victory over sin and death through Christ. The Hidden CompassionThe phrase "Compassion is hidden from My eyes" suggests a temporary withholding of mercy, emphasizing the seriousness of sin but also the eventual triumph of God's redemptive plan. Hope in God's PromisesBelievers can find hope in God's promises of redemption and victory over death, encouraging faithfulness and trust in His plan. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Hosea 13:14?
2.How does Hosea 13:14 reveal God's power over death and the grave?
3.What does "ransom them from the power of Sheol" signify for believers today?
4.How does Hosea 13:14 connect with 1 Corinthians 15:55 on resurrection?
5.How can we apply God's promise of redemption in Hosea 13:14 daily?
6.What assurance does Hosea 13:14 provide about God's victory over death?
7.How does Hosea 13:14 relate to the concept of resurrection in Christian theology?
8.What is the significance of "ransom" and "redeem" in Hosea 13:14?
9.How does Hosea 13:14 address the power of death and the grave?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Hosea 13?
11.Hosea 13:14: Why does this verse promise deliverance from death when the broader context seems focused on judgment and destruction, potentially creating a theological conflict?
12.What are the torments of Sheol?
13.What does "The Sting of Death is Sin" mean?
14.What is the meaning of Psalm 49:7?What Does Hosea 13:14 Mean I will ransom them from the power of SheolGod promises a decisive rescue from the grip of the grave. • “Ransom” evokes the costly liberation of captives (Psalm 49:15;Mark 10:45). • Sheol is not an abstract concept but the real place of the dead; the Lord pledges to break its authority. • The statement looks ahead to the full price paid at the cross (1 Timothy 2:6), proving that even the deepest darkness cannot keep those whom God buys back.
I will redeem them from DeathRedemption moves beyond purchase to complete release. •Isaiah 25:8 foretells God “swallowing up death forever,” a promise echoed here. • In Christ’s resurrection, Death loses legal claim over believers (Revelation 1:18). • Paul cites this clause when he declares, “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54), showing Hosea’s words reach their ultimate fulfillment in the empty tomb.
Where, O Death, are your plagues?The Lord taunts the defeated enemy. • Just as He sent plagues on Egypt and then rendered them powerless against Israel (Exodus 12:13), God now disarms Death’s weapons. • Hosea frames the question to highlight the total absence of lethal force against the redeemed (Hosea 6:1 predicts similar healing after judgment). • The rhetorical challenge anticipates New-Testament triumph: “Where, O Death, is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).
Where, O Sheol, is your sting?The sting—the fatal bite—has been removed. •Psalm 16:10 assures the faithful One will not be abandoned to Sheol; here, the grave itself is mocked for losing its venom. • Paul repeats this taunt and explains, “The sting of death is sin” (1 Corinthians 15:55-56). Christ’s atonement extracts that sting, leaving Death harmless to God’s people.
Compassion is hidden from My eyesA sober reminder: redemption comes only on God’s terms. • For those who persist in rebellion, mercy is withheld (Isaiah 63:10;Lamentations 3:42-44). • The same God who saves also judges; His kindness and severity stand side by side (Romans 11:22). • The withheld compassion underscores the urgency to repent and receive the ransom while it may be found.
summaryHosea 13:14 proclaims God’s intent to purchase His people out of the grave’s control, strip Death of its power, and render the sting of sin ineffective—fulfilled in Christ’s death and resurrection. Yet it also warns that mercy is not automatic; only those who turn to the Redeemer experience the victory so confidently celebrated. (14) O death . . . O grave.--The rendering should be, Where is thy plague, O death? Where is thy sting, O Sheol? as the LXX. have it, and as it is quoted in 1Corinthians 15:55. The rendering of the English version is, however, supported by the Targum, Symmachus, Jerome, and many modern expositors. But the former interpretation is to be preferred. Many Christian interpreters (Henderson, Pusey, &c.) regard this as the sudden outburst of a gracious promise (as St. Paul takes it). The last clause then signifies that the gift and calling of God are without repentance. There is no room for any further merciful change of purpose. But the objection to this interpretation is that in the same breath the prophet rushes on to the most sweeping condemnation. Accordingly Schmoller, Wnsche, Huxtable ( Speaker's Commentary) , and others understand the passage thus: "Shall I ransom them (doomed and dying in agonised travail) from the hand (or power) of Hades? Shall I redeem them from death? (Alas! no.) Where are thy plagues, O death? (Bring them forth.) Where is thy sting, O Hades? (Strike these reprobate ones.) Relenting is hid from my eyes." It should be remembered that St. Paul quoted from Isaiah, "Death shall be swallowed up in victory," and then, as here, calls in derisive irony upon death and Sheol to do their very worst at the very moment when they are about to be cast into the lake of fire. Verse 14. - I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. God here promises them deliverance from utter ruin; the grave shall be thus deprived of his victim, and the victim rescued out of the tyrant grasp of death. פָדָה is to redeem by payment of a price; גאל by right of kinship; while שְׁאול, the under world, is derived (1) by some fromָשאַל, to ask or demand, and is favored by such statements as the following: "There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: the grave," and so on; "Who enlargeth his desire as well, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied." Others (2) derive it fromשאל, equivalent toשעל (by a softening of theayin intoaleph), to be hollow; but this signification of the word is not satisfactorily established. A third (3) derivation isשׁוּל, to hang down loose or slack, then to be deep, or low, and so the noun comes to signify sinking, depth, abyss.O Death, I will be thy plagues; O Grave, I will be thy destruction. Thusאֶהִי is . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew I will ransom themאֶפְדֵּ֔ם(’ep̄·dêm)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6299:To sever, ransom, gener, to release, preservefrom the powerמִיַּ֤ד(mî·yaḏ)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027:A handof Sheol;שְׁאוֹל֙(šə·’ō·wl)Noun - common singular
Strong's 7585:Underworld (place to which people descend at death)I will redeem themאֶגְאָלֵ֑ם(’eḡ·’ā·lêm)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1350:To redeem, act as kinsmanfrom Death.מִמָּ֖וֶת(mim·mā·weṯ)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4194:Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruinWhere,אֱהִ֨י(’ĕ·hî)Interjection
Strong's 165:Where?O Death,מָ֗וֶת(mā·weṯ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4194:Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruinare your plagues?דְבָרֶיךָ֜(ḏə·ḇā·re·ḵā)Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1698:A pestilenceWhere,אֱהִ֤י(’ĕ·hî)Interjection
Strong's 165:Where?O Sheol,שְׁא֔וֹל(šə·’ō·wl)Noun - common singular
Strong's 7585:Underworld (place to which people descend at death)is your sting?קָֽטָבְךָ֙(qā·ṭā·ḇə·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6987:ExterminationCompassionנֹ֖חַם(nō·ḥam)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5164:Ruefulness, desistanceis hiddenיִסָּתֵ֥ר(yis·sā·ṯêr)Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5641:To hide, concealfrom My eyes.מֵעֵינָֽי׃(mê·‘ê·nāy)Preposition-m | Noun - cdc | first person common singular
Strong's 5869:An eye, a fountain
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OT Prophets: Hosea 13:14 I will ransom them from the power (Ho Hs Hos.) |
