Hosea 10:6

It shall be also caried vnto Assyria for a present to King Iareb: Ephraim shall receiue shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his owne counsell. Hosea 10:6 (KJV)

It shall be also carried unto Assyria

for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel. Hosea 10:6 (KJV)

Context: The book of Hosea is one of the prophetic books in the Old Testament. The prophet Hosea was called by God to deliver a message of warning and judgment to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, particularly to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. The people had turned away from God and were engaging in idolatry and wickedness.

Assyria’s Role:

In Hosea 10:6, the text does not mention a “present” from Ephraim to Assyria. Instead, the verse speaks of Israel being gathered among the peoples according to the Lord’s counsel. While Assyria was a powerful empire during that period and later became a threat to Israel, the specific verse does not describe an alliance or tribute involving Assyria. Assyria was a powerful empire during that time and posed a threat to Israel.

King Jareb:

The title “King Jareb” is mentioned in Hosea 10:6 and Hosea 5:13, so its exact meaning is uncertain. It is thought to be a title given to the king of Assyria or a reference to a particular Assyrian ruler. The name “Jareb” appears only in this passage and is not found elsewhere in the Bible. It is understood to be a title referring to the king of Assyria, emphasizing Assyria’s power and influence over Israel.

Ephraim’s Shame:

Ephraim, one of the prominent tribes in Israel, is mentioned in this verse. The prophecy states that Ephraim would experience shame as a consequence of their actions. This shame likely refers to the defeat and humiliation they would face at the hands of their enemies, including Assyria. However, the broader context of Hosea warns that the northern tribes, including Ephraim, will face humiliation and defeat because of their rebellion against God. The people of Ephraim would come to regret their decisions and suffer the consequences of their rebellion against God.

Israel’s Ashamed Counsel:

The verse concludes by stating that Israel, as a whole, would be ashamed of their own counsel. This refers to their reliance on their own wisdom and strategies rather than seeking guidance from God. The verse also concludes that Israel will be gathered among the peoples “according to the counsel of the Lord,” indicating that reliance on human schemes apart from God leads to downfall. Israel had abandoned God’s commandments and turned to their own devices, which would ultimately lead to their downfall and humiliation.