Definition: Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke: among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this biblical passage together. It’s a pretty powerful and somewhat sobering verse from Hosea, a book in the Old Testament. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God is going to be very serious with Israel – they’ll experience a period of great hardship and trouble. He’s revealing something that will happen, and it will lead to significant consequences. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Hosea 5:9” : This is the verse itself, coming from the Book of Hosea. “Ephraim shall be desolate in the day of rebuke…” : "Ephraim" refers to a specific group of people – often interpreted as Israel – but it's more about the state of their relationship with God. “Desolate” means empty, ruined, and lifeless. "In the day of rebuke" means during a time of serious correction or judgment. “…among the tribes of Israel have I made known that which shall surely be.” : This is the key part. “Made known” means God revealed something to them. “That which shall surely be” refers to an event – something inevitable that will happen. It’s a prophecy about a future event, specifically related to the Israelites' relationship with God and their behavior. So, what does it mean in simpler terms? It means that God is going to bring about a time of serious trouble and hardship for Israel. He’s not just telling them something bad will happen; he’s revealing it – showing them the consequences of their actions. He's essentially saying, "This is what will occur, and it will be painful." Important Context (Briefly): The book of Hosea was written during a time of conflict between Israel and Judah. Hosea’s message was about repentance and turning away from God’s ways. This verse reinforces the idea that God is demanding change and that failure to comply with his commands will have serious repercussions. In essence, it's a warning and a call for repentance. It’s saying, "We need to stop what we’re doing now, and start walking in the way God wants us to." --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these concepts further? Give you more context about the book of Hosea? Discuss a specific aspect of this verse (like its symbolism)?