Hosea 12:2

2 The LORD also has a ¹dispute with Judah, And will punish Jacob ²according to his ways; He will repay him according to his deeds.

Hosea 12:2 Meaning and Commentary

Hosea 12:2

The Lord hath also a controversy with Judah
The two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, as well as the ten tribes; for though they had ruled with God, and had been faithful with the saints in the first times of the apostasy of Israel; yet afterwards they sadly degenerated, and fell into idolatry likewise, particularly in the time of Ahaz, in which Hosea prophesied; and therefore the Lord had somewhat against them; nor would he spare them, but reprove them by the prophets, and rebuke them in his providences; bring them to his bar, and lay before them their evils, and threaten them with punishment in case of impenitence, as follows: and will punish Jacob according to his ways;
all the posterity of Jacob, whether Ephraim or Judah; those of the ten tribes, or of the two, who all descended from Jacob: or, "will visit according to his ways" ^F19; if right, and agreeably to the mind and word of God, in a way of grace and mercy; but if wrong, crooked, and perverse, then in a way of punishment; for visiting is used both ways: according to his doings will he recompense him;
as they were good or bad; if good, will reward them with a reward of grace; if bad, with vengeance. The Targum paraphrases it,

``according to his right works.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 (wykrdk-dqpl) "ad visitandum juxta vias ejus", Pagninus, Montanus; "visitabit secundum vias ejus", Piscator.

Hosea 12:2 In-Context

1 Ephraim feeds on wind, And pursues the east wind continually ; He multiplies lies and violence. Moreover, he makes a covenant with Assyria, And oil is carried to Egypt.

2 The LORD also has a dispute with Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; He will repay him according to his deeds.

3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his maturity he contended with God.

4 Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed; He wept and sought His favor. He found Him at Bethel And there He spoke with us,

5 Even the LORD , the God of hosts, The LORD is His name.

Cross References

• 1. Hosea 4:1; Micah 6:2
• 2. Hosea 4:9; Hosea 7:2