Hosea 11:8-11

8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? 1How can I make you 2like Admah? How can I treat you 3like Zeboiim? 4My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender.
9 I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; 5for I am God and not a man, 6the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.[a]
10 7They shall go after the LORD; 8he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling 9from the west;
11 they shall come trembling like birds 10from Egypt, and 11like doves 12from the land of Assyria, and I will return them to their homes, declares the LORD.

Hosea 11:8-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 11

This chapter gives an account of the free and ancient love of God to Israel, and of the benefits and blessings of goodness he bestowed upon them; and of their ingratitude in not owning them, nor hearkening to his prophets, but sacrificing and burning incense to idols, Ho 11:1-4; wherefore they are threatened with disappointment of relief from Egypt, with captivity into Assyria, and with the ravages of the sword in all places, being a people bent to backsliding, and incorrigible, Ho 11:5-7; and yet, notwithstanding all this, the bowels of the Lord yearn after them, and promises of mercy are made to them; that they shall not utterly be destroyed, but a remnant shall be spared; which in the latter day shall be called and follow after the Lord, the King Messiah, and be returned from their captivity, and be resettled in their own land, and replaced in their own houses, Ho 11:8-11; the chapter is concluded with an honourable character of Judah, Ho 11:12.

Cross References 12

  • 1. [Genesis 19:24, 25; Jeremiah 49:18; Jeremiah 50:40; Amos 4:11; Jude 7]
  • 2. Genesis 14:8; Deuteronomy 29:23
  • 3. Genesis 14:8; Deuteronomy 29:23
  • 4. [Deuteronomy 32:36]
  • 5. See Numbers 23:19
  • 6. See Isaiah 12:6
  • 7. [Hosea 3:5]
  • 8. Isaiah 31:4; Jeremiah 25:30; Joel 3:16; Amos 1:2
  • 9. Isaiah 11:11; Zechariah 8:7
  • 10. See Hosea 8:13
  • 11. Isaiah 60:8
  • 12. Zechariah 10:6, 10; [Hosea 9:3]

Footnotes 1

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.