Hosea 13 · Verse 7

Hosea 13:7

Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:

Hosea 13:7, King James Version

Hosea 13:7 in other translations

BSB	So like a lion I will pounce on them; like a leopard I will lurk by the path.
WEB	Therefore I am like a lion to them. Like a leopard, I will lurk by the path.
ASV	Therefore am I unto them as a lion; as a leopard will I watch by the way;
YLT	And I am to them as a lion, As a leopard by the way I look out.
DARBY	And I will be unto them as a lion; as a leopard I will lurk for them by the way;
BBE	So I will be like a lion to them; as a cruel beast I will keep watch by the road;
Webster	Therefore I will be to them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them.

What does Hosea 13:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

7. (Ho 5:14; La 3:10). leopard--The Hebrew comes from a root meaning "spotted" (compare Jr 13:23). Leopards lurk in thickets and thence spring on their victims. observe--that is, lie in wait for them. Several manuscripts, the Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic read, by a slight change of the Hebrew vowel pointing, "by the way of Assyria," a region abounding in leopards and lions. English Version is better.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 7 I will be unto them as a lion - שחל shachal is supposed to mean here the black lion, frequent in Ethiopia. As a leopard - נמר namar, so termed from its spotted skin, for to be spotted is the signification of the root. Will I observe them - The leopard, tiger, and panther will hide themselves in thick bushwood, near where they expect any prey to pass; and as soon as it comes near, spring suddenly upon it. To this is the allusion in the text: "By the way will I observe them;" watch for them as the leopard does. They shall be greatly harassed even on their way to Assyria, when going into captivity.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Hosea 13:1-8

The abuse of God's favour leads to punishment. (Hos. 13:1-8) A promise of God's mercy. (Hos. 13:9-16) Verses 1-8 While Ephraim kept up a holy fear of God, and worshipped Him in that fear, so long he was very considerable. When Ephraim forsook God, and followed idolatry, he sunk. Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves, in token of their adoration of them, affection for them, and obedience to them; but the Lord…

Read the full comment on Hosea 13:1-8 →

Hosea 13:7 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וָאֱהִ֥יva.'e.Hiand I becameH1961

לָהֶ֖םla.Hemto them

כְּמוֹ\־ke.mov-likeH3644

שָׁ֑חַלSha.chala lionH7826

כְּנָמֵ֖רke.na.Merlike a leopardH5246

עַל\־'al-onH5921

דֶּ֥רֶךְDe.rekha roadH1870

אָשֽׁוּר\׃'a.ShurI will watchH7789

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Hosea 13:7

Jeremiah 5:6
Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.
Hosea 5:14
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 none shall rescue him.
Lamentations 3:10
He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places.
Amos 1:2
And he said, The Lord will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.
Amos 3:4
Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?
Isaiah 42:13
The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
Amos 3:8
The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

5:14; Isa 42:13; Jer 5:6; La 3:10; Am 1:2; 3:4,8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Hosea 13:6
According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
Hosea 13:7
Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them:
Hosea 13:8
I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.

Read all of Hosea 13

Hosea 13:7 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Por tanto, yo seré para ellos como león; como un leopardo en el camino los espiaré.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et je leur serai comme un lion; comme un léopard, je les guetterai sur le chemin.
German Elberfelder 1871	Und so wurde ich ihnen wie ein Löwe; wie ein Pardel laure ich am Wege;
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Et ego ero eis quasi leæna, sicut pardus in via Assyriorum.