Hosea 7:15Though I have taught and strengthened their arms, yet they plot evil against me.
The setting
Northern Israel, ~750 BC. Israel's military had grown strong with God's help, but they planned alliances with Egypt against God's will. Modern-day northern Israel.
The emotion here: prophet crushed by the irony of divine investment betrayed
The original word
yāsar (יסרתי) — to discipline through instruction, like training a child or soldier with patient repetition
Why it matters
Israel's 'strengthened arms' refers to their military victories over Syria that God had given them just years earlier
Read with care
What most readers miss in Hosea 7:15
God trained them like a military instructor trains soldiers, and they used that very training to plot against their trainer
Common misconceptionPeople think this is about Israel being weak. Actually, they were strong — stronger because of God — which makes their betrayal even worse. It's not weakness that destroys us, it's ungrateful strength.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Hosea 7:15
Bible Genome reading
Hosea 7:15 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Hosea 7:15 comes from the book of Hosea, written during the Divided Kingdom period. These words are attributed to God. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the prophecy genre of biblical literature. Key themes include divine betrayal, ungrateful rebellion. Notable phrases: taught and strengthened; plot evil against me. This verse contains prophecy.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Hosea 7:15 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "grieving"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.