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◄ Hosea 5:14►

New International Version
For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, like a great lion to Judah. I will tear them to pieces and go away; I will carry them off, with no one to rescue them.

New Living Translation
I will be like a lion to Israel, like a strong young lion to Judah. I will tear them to pieces! I will carry them off, and no one will be left to rescue them.

English Standard Version
For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear and go away; I will carry off, and no one shall rescue.

Berean Standard Bible
For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them.

King James Bible
For Iwill be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I,even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescuehim.

New King James Version
For Iwill be like a lion to Ephraim, And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I,even I, will tearthem and go away; I will takethem away, and no one shall rescue.

New American Standard Bible
For Iwill be like a lion to Ephraim And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I,yes I, will tear to pieces and go away, I will carry away, and there will be no one to rescue.

NASB 1995
For I will be like a lion to Ephraim And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear to pieces and go away, I will carry away, and there will be none to deliver.

NASB 1977
For Iwill be like a lion to Ephraim, And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear to pieces and go away, I will carry away, and there will be none to deliver.

Legacy Standard Bible
For Iwill be like a lion to Ephraim And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear to pieces and go away; I will carry away, and there will be none to deliver.

Amplified Bible
For Iwill be like a lion to Ephraim And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear to pieces and go on [tearing]; I will carry off [the prey] and there will be no one to rescuethem.

Christian Standard Bible
For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. Yes, I will tear them to pieces and depart. I will carry them off, and no one can rescue them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. Yes, I will tear them to pieces and depart. I will carry them off, and no one can rescue them.

American Standard Version
For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will carry off, and there shall be none to deliver.

Contemporary English Version
So I'll become a fierce lion attacking Israel and Judah. I'll snatch and carry off what I want, and no one can stop me.

English Revised Version
For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will carry off, and there shall be none to deliver.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will be like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the nation of Judah. I will carry [them] off, and no one will rescue [them].

Good News Translation
I will attack the people of Israel and Judah like a lion. I myself will tear them to pieces and then leave them. When I drag them off, no one will be able to save them.

International Standard Version
Therefore I will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I—even I—will tear them to pieces, and then I will leave. I will take them away, and there will be no rescue.

NET Bible
I will be like a lion to Ephraim, like a young lion to the house of Judah. I myself will tear them to pieces, then I will carry them off, and no one will be able to rescue them!

New Heart English Bible
For I will be to Ephraim like a lion, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I myself will tear in pieces and go away. I will carry off, and there will be no one to deliver.

Webster's Bible Translation
For I will be to Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away. I will carry them off where no one can rescue them.

World English Bible
For I will be to Ephraim like a lion, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I myself will tear in pieces and go away. I will carry off, and there will be no one to deliver.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
For I [am] as a lion to Ephraim, "" And as a young lion to the house of Judah, I tear and go, "" I carry away, and there is no deliverer.

Young's Literal Translation
For I am as a lion to Ephraim, And as a young lion to the house of Judah, I -- I tear and go, I bear away, and there is no deliverer.

Smith's Literal Translation
For I as the lion to Ephraim, and as the young lion to the house of Judah I, I will rend and go away; I will take away and none delivering.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
For I will be like a lioness to Ephraim, and like a lion's whelp to the house of Juda: I, I will catch, and go: I will take away, and there is none that can rescue.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For I will be like a lioness to Ephraim, and like a lion’s offspring to the house of Judah. I myself will seize and go forth. I will take away, and there is no one who can rescue.

New American Bible
For I am like a lion to Ephraim, like a young lion to the house of Judah; It is I who tear the prey and depart, I carry it away and no one can save it.

New Revised Standard Version
For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I myself will tear and go away; I will carry off, and no one shall rescue.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
For I will be to Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah; I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because I am like a lion to Aphreim and like a whelp of a lion to the house of Yehuda; I shall tear apart and I shall go on and I shall take and there is none to deliver

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, And as a young lion to the house of Judah; I, even I, will tear and go away, I will take away, and there shall be none to deliver.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Wherefore I am as a panther to Ephraim, and as a lion to the house of Juda: and I will tear, and go away; and I will take, and there shall be none to deliver.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

God's Judgment on Israel and Judah
…13When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound.14For I am like a lion to Ephraim and like a young lion to the house of Judah.I,even I,will tear them to pieces and then go away.I will carry them off where no one can rescue them.15Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Isaiah 31:4
For this is what the LORD has said to me: “Like a lion roaring or a young lion over its prey—and though a band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not terrified by their shouting or subdued by their clamor—so the LORD of Hosts will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and its heights.

Amos 3:8
The lion has roared—who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken—who will not prophesy?

Jeremiah 25:38
He has left His den like a lion, for their land has been made a desolation by the sword of the oppressor, and because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

Lamentations 3:10
He is a bear lying in wait, a lion hiding in ambush.

Job 10:16
Should I hold my head high, You would hunt me like a lion, and again display Your power against me.

Isaiah 5:29
Their roaring is like that of a lion; they roar like young lions. They growl and seize their prey; they carry it away, and no one can rescue it.

Jeremiah 49:19
Behold, one will come up like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan to the watered pasture. For in an instant I will chase Edom from her land. Who is the chosen one I will appoint for this? For who is like Me, and who can challenge Me? What shepherd can stand against Me?”

Ezekiel 22:25
The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her.

Amos 1:2
He said: “The LORD roars from Zion and raises His voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the summit of Carmel withers.”

Micah 5:8
Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which tramples and tears as it passes through, with no one to rescue them.

Revelation 5:5
Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Revelation 10:3
Then he cried out in a loud voice like the roar of a lion. And when he cried out, the seven thunders sounded their voices.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

Luke 13:32
But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’

Treasury of Scripture

For I will be to Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.

as a lion.

Hosea 13:7,8
Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observethem: …

Job 10:16
For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me.

Psalm 7:2
Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rendingit in pieces, whilethere is none to deliver.

will tear.

Psalm 7:2
Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rendingit in pieces, whilethere is none to deliver.

Psalm 50:22
Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tearyou in pieces, andthere be none to deliver.

Micah 5:8
And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.

none.

Deuteronomy 28:31
Thine oxshall be slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine assshall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheepshall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescuethem.

Job 10:7
Thou knowest that I am not wicked; andthere is none that can deliver out of thine hand.

Isaiah 5:29
Their roaringshall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carryit away safe, and none shall deliverit.

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Hosea 5

1.The judgments of God are denounced against the priests, people, and princes,
9.both of Israel and Judah, for their manifold sins.
15.An intimation is given of mercy on their repentance.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

For I am like a lion to Ephraim
In this phrase, God compares Himself to a lion, a symbol of strength and ferocity. Ephraim, representing the northern kingdom of Israel, is warned of impending judgment. The lion imagery signifies God's power and the inevitability of His judgment. In biblical context, lions are often used to depict God's might and authority (Amos 3:8). The northern kingdom's idolatry and alliances with foreign nations led to their downfall, as prophesied by Hosea.

and like a young lion to the house of Judah.
Here, the focus shifts to Judah, the southern kingdom. The "young lion" suggests a more immediate and vigorous threat. While Judah had periods of faithfulness, they too fell into sin. This warning serves as a reminder of God's impartiality in judgment. The lion imagery is consistent with other prophetic warnings (Jeremiah 25:38), emphasizing the seriousness of their spiritual state.

I, even I, will tear them to pieces and then go away.
This phrase underscores the certainty and severity of God's judgment. The repetition of "I, even I" highlights God's personal involvement and authority in executing judgment. The tearing imagery reflects the destructive consequences of sin, reminiscent of a lion's attack. After the judgment, God "goes away," indicating a withdrawal of His presence, which is a dire consequence for a nation reliant on divine protection (Deuteronomy 31:17).

I will carry them off where no one can rescue them.
The final phrase speaks to the exile and dispersion of the people, a fulfillment of prophetic warnings. The notion of being carried off suggests captivity, as experienced by both Israel and Judah. The inability of anyone to rescue them highlights the totality of God's judgment and the futility of relying on human alliances or false gods. This echoes the theme of divine sovereignty and the need for repentance (Isaiah 43:13).

Persons / Places / Events

1.Ephraim
Represents the northern kingdom of Israel, often used as a synonym for Israel in the prophetic books. Ephraim was the largest tribe and often led the northern kingdom.

2.Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which included Jerusalem. Judah was the tribe from which King David and ultimately Jesus descended.

3.Lion Imagery
The lion is a symbol of strength and power. In this context, it represents God's judgment and His ability to execute justice.

4.Prophet Hosea
A prophet in the 8th century BC, Hosea's ministry was primarily to the northern kingdom of Israel. His messages often included themes of judgment and redemption.

5.Divine Judgment
The event of God executing His judgment on Israel and Judah due to their unfaithfulness and idolatry.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God is depicted as a lion, emphasizing His power and authority to judge nations. This serves as a reminder of His sovereignty over all creation.

The Certainty of Divine Justice
The imagery of tearing and carrying away signifies the certainty and severity of God's judgment against sin. It calls believers to live in reverence and obedience.

The Call to Repentance
Understanding the context of Hosea, this verse serves as a call to repentance. God's judgment is not arbitrary but a response to persistent unfaithfulness.

The Hope of Restoration
While the verse speaks of judgment, the broader account of Hosea includes themes of restoration and hope, pointing to God's desire for reconciliation.

The Role of Prophetic Warnings
Prophets like Hosea were sent to warn God's people. This highlights the importance of heeding God's warnings in Scripture today.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Hosea 5:14?

2.How does Hosea 5:14 illustrate God's judgment and mercy towards Israel and Judah?

3.What characteristics of God are revealed in Hosea 5:14's imagery of a lion?

4.How can Hosea 5:14's message influence our understanding of divine discipline today?

5.What other scriptures highlight God's role as both protector and judge?

6.How should Hosea 5:14 impact our personal repentance and relationship with God?

7.What does Hosea 5:14 reveal about God's nature and judgment?

8.How does Hosea 5:14 reflect God's relationship with Israel?

9.Why is God compared to a lion in Hosea 5:14?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Hosea 5?

11.What are Jacob's prophecies in the Bible?

12.In Hosea 6:1, how does a benevolent God justify first “tearing” His people only to heal them, and isn’t this contradictory?

13.What is the significance of lions in the Bible?

14.What does "Lion of the Tribe of Judah" mean?

What Does Hosea 5:14 Mean

For I am like a lion to Ephraim

“Lion” pictures unstoppable strength and authority. God is not comparing Himself to a tame cat but to the apex predator of the Near East—one that strikes without warning and cannot be resisted (Amos 3:8;Isaiah 31:4). Ephraim, the leading tribe of the northern kingdom, had trusted in political alliances (Hosea 5:13); the Lord reminds them that the real power in their story is His.

• A lion’s roar announces judgment; so does God’s word (Jeremiah 25:30).

• A lion acts with precision; God’s judgment is never random (Exodus 34:7).

• Once the lion moves, prey cannot bargain; likewise, Ephraim’s window for repentance is closing (2 Kings 17:13-14).

and like a young lion to the house of Judah

A “young lion” conveys energy and speed—God’s dealings with Judah will come swiftly. While the southern kingdom still had David’s line and temple worship, they shared the north’s idolatry (2 Chronicles 36:14-16). The Lord will not show partiality (Romans 2:11).

• Judah had witnessed Israel’s decline but did not take warning (Jeremiah 3:6-10).

• Judgment begins with God’s own household (1 Peter 4:17).

• The same covenant faithfulness that secures blessings also guarantees discipline (Leviticus 26:18-19).

I, even I, will tear them to pieces

The repetition “I, even I” highlights personal involvement; God will not delegate this task. “Tear” is graphic, underscoring the reality that sin destroys (Hosea 13:7-8;Psalm 7:2).

• He is both Shepherd and Lion; rejecting His shepherding leaves only the claws (John 10:27-28;Hebrews 12:6).

• Divine wrath is never capricious—it is the necessary, holy response to covenant breach (Deuteronomy 28:15-25).

and then go away

After striking, the lion withdraws. God promises to “go away,” echoingHosea 5:6, “He has withdrawn from them.” The worst sentence is not physical calamity but the loss of His manifest presence (1 Samuel 4:21-22;Hosea 9:12).

• Sin erects a wall of separation (Isaiah 59:2).

• When God hides His face, there is no substitute source of life or peace (Psalm 30:7).

I will carry them off

The image shifts from tearing to removal, pointing to exile. Assyria will deport Israel (2 Kings 17:6); Babylon will later carry Judah away (2 Kings 25:11). Both are instruments in God’s hand (Isaiah 10:5-6;Jeremiah 25:9).

• Exile fulfills covenant warnings (Deuteronomy 28:36-37).

• Even in removal, God preserves a remnant for future restoration (Jeremiah 30:10-11).

where no one can rescue them

Once the Lion seizes His prey, no shepherd or ally can intervene (Deuteronomy 32:39;Isaiah 43:13). Human help, idols, and foreign powers all prove powerless (Psalm 146:3-5).

• This final line strips away false security, forcing the nation to see that salvation is found in God alone (Psalm 62:1-2).

• Only repentance can reopen the door to deliverance (2 Chronicles 7:14;Hosea 6:1-3).

summary

Hosea 5:14 paints God as the Lion who roars, strikes, withdraws, and carries off unrepentant people beyond human rescue. The verse is a sober reminder that covenant privilege does not shield persistent sin. Yet even in judgment, God’s goal is restorative: exile prepares the heart for return. The only safe place is humble repentance and renewed trust in the Lord who wounds in order to heal.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14)As a lion.--First the trans-Jordanic tribes, then additional provinces, and lastly the whole population, were carried away as in the teeth of a beast of prey. (Comp.Amos 3:6.) Assyria is here referred to as represented by Tiglath-pileser. We might also quote from the inscription of Sargon in fulfilment of this prediction: "Samaria I besieged; I captured 27,290 people dwelling in the midst of it; I carried captive" (George Smith,Assyrian Eponym Canon, p. 125). A similar fate overtook Jerusalem in 587 B.C., at the hands of Babylonia, in the reign of Nebuchadnezzar (2Chronicles 36:4-10;2Kings 24:10-16;2Kings 25:1-11).

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 14, 15. - These verses assign a reason for the powerlessness even of the mighty Assyrian monarch to help; and that reason is the Divine interposition. The irresistible Jehovah himself (the addition of the pronoun intensifies, yet more its repetition) now interferes for the destruction of the apostate and rebellious people.For I am unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah. As we are taught in these words, Jehovah's mode of procedure is now changed. Before it had been slow and silent, though sure destruction, as signified by the moth and woodworm; but now it will be public and patent to the eyes of all, as wall as decisive and powerful, as intimated by the comparison of a lion and young lion. Nor is that all: lion-like, lie will rend before removing the prey - a tearing in pieces and then a carrying away. This well-known habit of the lion finds its counterpart in the subsequent facts of Hebrew history. The northern kingdom was first rent or broken up by Shalmaneser; subsequently the population were carried away into captivity; in like manner the southern kingdom suffered at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar.I will go and return to my place. The figurative comparison with a lion is continued in the first clause of ver. 15 also. The lion tears his victim and carries it away, then he retires into his cave or den; so Jehovah, after bringing calamity upon Israel, withdraws from the scene and retires to his own place in heaven, though the heaven of heavens cannot contain him. There, in that unapproachable ether, he is inaccessible to and beyond the reach of the guilty nation that knew not nor valued the former times of merciful visitation. One remedy, and only one, is left and that is found in penitence and prayer. Once they find out their guiltiness and humble themselves in repentance, they may hopefully seek his face and favor. Turning away from human help, and supplicating the gracious help of the Divine presence, they are encouraged by the prospect of relict' and revival; while the means to that end are, no doubt, painful, yet profitable. In the school of affliction they learnt penitence and were brought to their knees in prayer.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

For
כִּ֣י(kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunction

I
אָנֹכִ֤י(’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595:I

am like a lion
כַשַּׁ֙חַל֙(ḵaš·ša·ḥal)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7826:A lion

to Ephraim
לְאֶפְרַ֔יִם(lə·’ep̄·ra·yim)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669:Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

and like a young lion
וְכַכְּפִ֖יר(wə·ḵak·kə·p̄îr)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3715:A village, a young lion

to the house
לְבֵ֣ית(lə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004:A house

of Judah.
יְהוּדָ֑ה(yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063:Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

I,
אֲנִ֨י(’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589:I

[even] I,
אֲנִ֤י(’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589:I

will tear them to pieces
אֶטְרֹף֙(’eṭ·rōp̄)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2963:To pluck off, pull to pieces, to supply with food

and go away.
וְאֵלֵ֔ךְ(wə·’ê·lêḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1980:To go, come, walk

I will carry them off
אֶשָּׂ֖א(’eś·śā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5375:To lift, carry, take

[where] no one
וְאֵ֥ין(wə·’ên)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 369:A non-entity, a negative particle

can rescue them.
מַצִּֽיל׃(maṣ·ṣîl)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5337:To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver

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OT Prophets: Hosea 5:14 For I will be to Ephraim like (Ho Hs Hos.)