Old Testament
Hosea 9:2
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
The threshing floors and winepresses won't produce enough to feed them, and the new wine will run dry.
Compare translations
The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.
What Hosea 9:2 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Hosea 9:2, the imagery of threshing floors and winepresses symbolizes agricultural abundance, which is crucial for sustenance. However, the verse indicates a dire situation where these sources of food and drink will fail to provide for the people. This reflects a time of judgment and scarcity due to the people's unfaithfulness to God. The new wine, representing joy and celebration, will also be absent, highlighting the loss of blessings and prosperity. The failure of these agricultural products signifies a deeper spiritual famine, where the people are cut off from God's provision and favor. This verse serves as a warning about the consequences of turning away from God and the resulting hardships that follow. It emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful and obedient to God to experience His blessings and sustenance in life.
How to apply Hosea 9:2 to your life
This verse reminds us of the importance of staying connected to God. When we stray from our faith, we risk losing the blessings and provisions He offers. Regular prayer, worship, and obedience to God's word can help us maintain our spiritual health and ensure we are nourished in all aspects of life.
Curated for this public verse page. Hosea Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

Illustrated scene from Daniel's story: Faithful at the King's Table (Daniel 1:1–21)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Daniel

Photo: Bukvoed, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. Source. Location: Burj Beitin, Beitin, Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethel
Where Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven and met God.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Hosea 9:2
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Hosea 9:2
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Hosea
- Author
- Hosea the prophet
- Written
- Around 750 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- The northern kingdom of Israel
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Hosea 9:2 mean?
Hosea 9:2 means that the agricultural sources of food and drink, represented by the threshing floors and winepresses, will fail to provide for the people. This reflects a time of judgment and scarcity due to their unfaithfulness to God.
What is the significance of the threshing floors in Hosea 9:2?
The threshing floors in Hosea 9:2 symbolize agricultural abundance, which is essential for sustenance. Their failure indicates a loss of God's provision and blessings due to the people's disobedience.
What does the new wine represent in Hosea 9:2?
In Hosea 9:2, the new wine represents joy and celebration. Its absence signifies a loss of happiness and prosperity, highlighting the consequences of turning away from God.
What themes are present in Hosea 9:2?
Hosea 9:2 presents themes of judgment, spiritual famine, unfaithfulness, and the consequences of sin. It emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful to God to avoid losing His blessings.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.