Hosea 11:1-11

Out of Egypt I Called My Son

1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, ¹ and out of Egypt I called My son. ^[a]

2 But the more I called Israel, the farther they departed from Me. ^[b] They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images.

3 It was I who taught Ephraim ^[c] to walk, taking them by the arms, but they never realized that it was I who healed them.

4 I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.

5 Will they not return to the land of Egypt and be ruled by Assyria because they refused to repent?

6 A sword will flash through their cities; it will destroy the bars of their gates and consume them in their own plans.

7 My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.

God’s Love for Israel

8 How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!

9 I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man— the Holy One among you— and I will not come in wrath.

10 They will walk after the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west.

11 They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria. Then I will settle them in their homes, declares the LORD.

Hosea 11:1-11 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

• 1. (Matthew 2:13–15)

Footnotes

• [a]. Cited in Matthew 2:15
• [b]. LXX; Hebrew The more they called them, the more they went from them.
• [c]. That is, the northern kingdom of Israel; also in verses 8, 9, and 12