Hosea 11:2-12

2 But the more they were called, the more they went away from me.^[a]They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.

3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them.

4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.

5 “Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent?

6 A sword will flash in their cities; it will devour their false prophets and put an end to their plans.

7 My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them.

8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.

9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man— the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.

10 They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.

11 They will come from Egypt, trembling like sparrows, from Assyria, fluttering like doves. I will settle them in their homes,” declares the LORD.

Israel’s Sin

12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, Israel with deceit. And Judah is unruly against God, even against the faithful Holy One.^[b]

Hosea 11:2-12 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

• 1. ver 7
• 2. S Hosea 2:13
• 3. S 2 Kings 17:15; Isaiah 65:7; S Jeremiah 18:15; S Hosea 4:13; Hosea 13:1
• 4. S Deuteronomy 1:31; S Deuteronomy 32:11; Hosea 7:15
• 5. S Exodus 15:26; Jeremiah 30:17
• 6. Jeremiah 31:2-3
• 7. S Leviticus 26:13
• 8. Exodus 16:32; Psalms 78:25
• 9. Jeremiah 31:20
• 10. S Hosea 7:16
• 11. S Hosea 10:6
• 12. S Exodus 13:17
• 13. Hosea 13:16
• 14. S Lamentations 2:9
• 15. S Isaiah 26:10
• 16. ver 2; Jeremiah 3:6-7; Jeremiah 8:5
• 17. S Jeremiah 7:29
• 18. Hosea 6:4
• 19. S Genesis 14:8; S Lamentations 3:32
• 20. S 1 Kings 3:26; S Psalms 25:6
• 21. S Ezekiel 33:11; Amos 7:3
• 22. Deuteronomy 13:17; S Jeremiah 18:8; S Jeremiah 30:11
• 23. Lamentations 3:22; Malachi 3:6
• 24. S Numbers 23:19
• 25. S 2 Kings 19:22; S Isaiah 31:1
• 26. S Isaiah 42:13
• 27. S Isaiah 31:4
• 28. S Psalms 18:45
• 29. S Hosea 3:5; S Hosea 6:1-3
• 30. S Genesis 8:8
• 31. S Isaiah 11:11
• 32. S Ezekiel 28:26; S Ezekiel 34:25-28
• 33. S Hosea 4:2
• 34. S Deuteronomy 7:9
• 35. S Hosea 10:13

Footnotes

• [a]. Septuagint; Hebrew "them"
• [b]. In Hebrew texts this verse (11:12) is numbered 12:1.