The rendering of the English version is here incorrect. Render, Then shall the sword be brandished amid his cities, and utterly destroy his princes. The word for “princes” is, literally, bars, the heroes, leaders, or defenders of the state being aptly called barriers, or bulwarks. Analogous metaphors frequently occur in the Old Testament; such is the interpretation of the Targum.
Related Commentaries of Hosea 11:6
Hosea 11:6
6 And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.