Foreigners consume his strength
The Hebrew word for "foreigners" is "zārîm," which often refers to outsiders or those who are not part of the covenant community of Israel. In the historical context of Hosea, this phrase points to the political alliances and dependencies Israel formed with foreign nations, such as Assyria and Egypt, which ultimately drained Israel's resources and strength. Spiritually, this can be seen as a warning against relying on worldly powers instead of God. The "strength" here symbolizes not only physical might but also spiritual vitality and national integrity, which were being eroded by these alliances.

but he does not notice
The phrase "he does not notice" reflects a state of spiritual blindness or ignorance. The Hebrew root "yādaʿ" means to know or perceive. Israel's failure to recognize the depletion of its strength signifies a deeper spiritual malaise—a lack of awareness of their true condition before God. This ignorance is a result of their persistent sin and idolatry, which has dulled their spiritual senses. It serves as a cautionary tale for believers to remain vigilant and self-aware, ensuring that their spiritual health is not compromised by external influences.

Even his hair is streaked with gray
The imagery of "hair streaked with gray" symbolizes aging and the passage of time. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, gray hair was often associated with wisdom and experience. However, in this context, it indicates the unnoticed decline and deterioration of Israel. The nation is growing old and weak, yet remains oblivious to its impending downfall. This serves as a metaphor for spiritual decay, where the outward signs of decline are evident, yet the individual or nation remains unaware. It is a call for introspection and renewal before it is too late.

but he does not know
The repetition of the phrase "he does not know" underscores the theme of ignorance and unawareness. The Hebrew word "yādaʿ" is again used, emphasizing the lack of knowledge or recognition. This ignorance is not merely intellectual but is deeply spiritual, reflecting a heart that is disconnected from God. The verse highlights the danger of complacency and the importance of seeking God's wisdom and guidance. It serves as a reminder that spiritual insight and awareness are crucial for maintaining a vibrant relationship with God and avoiding the pitfalls of spiritual decline.

(9) Have devoured.--The past tense may refer to the invasions of Tiglath-pileser. Both Egypt and Assyria had come to regard Israel as the earthen pipkin between iron pots. These strangers have devoured his strength--i.e., he has less power to resist aggression, less treasure, less land, smaller population. The signs of senility are upon him. "Grey hairs are his passing bell." He is under sentence of death, and knoweth it not.

Verse 9. - Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not. Israel's intercourse with other nationalities could not but issue in disaster; a specimen of that disaster is here given. As the Greeks called all who did not speak the Greek language, whether they were savage or civilized, barbarians, so Israel called all foreigners, whether near or far off, strangers. The foreign nations here meant were those with which Israel had entered into treaties or formed alliances, in contravention of the constitution which God had given them. These nations, moreover, devoured their national resources by the imposition of taxes and hostile incursions; thus the King of Syria left "of the people to Jehoahaz only fifty horsemen, and ten chariots, and ten thousand footmen; for the King of Syria had destroyed them, and had made them like the dust by threshing;" again, when "Pul, the King of Assyria, came against the laud," we read that Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. And Menahem exacted the money of Israel, even of all the mighty men of wealth, of each man fifty shekels of silver, to give to the King of Assyria;" then, "in the days of Pekah King of Israel came Tiglath-pileser King of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazer, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria. "The strength here mentioned includes all those things which constitute the wealth and well-being of a country, the produce of the soil and the riches of its inhabitants. Thus Aben Ezra rightly explains this clause, referring it to "the tribute which the Israelites gave to Assyria and Egypt, as is written in the Book of Kings." Yea, grey hairs are here and there (margin, sprinkled) upon him. What from foreign foes and internal feuds, the body politic was manifesting unmistakable symptoms of decay and decrepitude and approaching dissolution, just as grey hairs on the human body give indication of the advance of old age, with its decay of strength and nearness to the tomb. "The course of nature," says Aben Ezra, "has sprinkled grey hairs upon him, just as grey hair comes on men in consequence of the course of nature;" this corresponds to the sentiment of the preceding clause, for, according to the commentator just named," the grey hair denotes that their power is weakened and their possession perished." Yet he knoweth not is parallel to. "And he knoweth (it) not," and repeats the same sentiment, of course with emphasis of what was Israel thus ignorant? Not, surely, of the declining state of the national strength and the decay of the national importance. After so many drains upon their resources and the unsatisfactory position of their foreign relations, they could not shut their eyes upon the steadily and even rapidly approaching decadence. But though they could not pretend ignorance of the fact, they remained in ignorance of the cause, its consequence, and the cure. Notwithstanding the already exhausted condition of their country, and the process of exhaustion still going on, they overlooked the lamentable cause of all, which was their sin, national and individual, in departing from the Lord; and at the same time the dangerous consequences that were neither remote nor capable of being staved off; as also the only possible cure to be found in direct and immediate return and application to that God from whom they had so revolted. The "it" supplied in the Authorized Version

(1) had better be omitted;

(2) the construction adopted by Rashi and others, who make the first part of each clause the object of the second, is erroneous, as we have shown in the preceding observations. "They took it not to heart that the kings of Syria consumed them in the days of Jehoahaz" is the exposition of Rashi just referred to; but that of Kimchi favors the first and correct construction, as may be inferred from the words, "And he (Israel) knows not that on account of his iniquity all this has come upon him, and yet he turns not from his wickedness."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Foreigners
זָרִים֙ (zā·rîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2114: To turn aside, to be a, foreigner, strange, profane, to commit adultery

consume
אָכְל֤וּ (’ā·ḵə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 398: To eat

his strength,
כֹּח֔וֹ (kō·ḥōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3581: A small reptile (of unknown species)

but he
וְה֖וּא (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

does not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

notice.
יָדָ֑ע (yā·ḏā‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

Even
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

his hair is streaked
זָ֣רְקָה (zā·rə·qāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2236: Be here and there, scatter, sprinkle, strew

with gray,
שֵׂיבָה֙ (śê·ḇāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7872: Hoary head, old age

but he
וְה֖וּא (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

does not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

realize.
יָדָֽע׃ (yā·ḏā‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know


Hosea 7:9 NIV
Hosea 7:9 NLT
Hosea 7:9 ESV
Hosea 7:9 NASB
Hosea 7:9 KJV

Hosea 7:9 BibleApps.com
Hosea 7:9 Biblia Paralela
Hosea 7:9 Chinese Bible
Hosea 7:9 French Bible
Hosea 7:9 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Hosea 7:9 Strangers have devoured his strength and he (Ho Hs Hos.)