12 Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!
12 Even if they rear children, I will bereave them of every one. Woe to them when I turn away from them!
12 Even if they bring up children, I will bereave them till none is left. Woe to them when I depart from them!
12 Even if they did give birth, I'd declare them unfit parents and take away their children! Yes indeed - a black day for them when I turn my back and walk off!
12 Though they bring up their children, Yet I will bereave them to the last man. Yes, woe to them when I depart from them!
12 Even if you do have children who grow up, I will take them from you. It will be a terrible day when I turn away and leave you alone.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hosea 9:12
Commentary on Hosea 9:11-17
(Read Hosea 9:11-17)
God departs from a people, or from a person, when he withdraws his goodness and mercy from them; and when the Lord is departed, what can the creature do? Even though, for the present, good things seem to remain, yet the blessing is gone if God is gone. Even the children should perish with the parents. The Divine wrath dries up the root, and withers the fruit of all comforts; and the scattered Jews daily warn us to beware, lest we neglect or abuse the gospel. Yet every smiting is not a drying up of the root. It may be that God intends only to smite so that the sap may be turned to the root, that there may be more of root graces, more humility, patience, faith, and self-denial. It is very just that God should bring judgments on those who slight his offered mercy.