Hosea 11:1-4

1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son.

2 As they called them, So they went from them; They sacrificed to the Baals, And burned incense to carved images.

3 "I taught Ephraim to walk, Taking them by their arms; But they did not know that I healed them.

4 I drew them with gentle cords, With bands of love, And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them.

Hosea 11:1-4 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Following Masoretic Text and Vulgate; Septuagint reads Just as I called them; Targum interprets as I sent prophets to a thousand of them.
• [b]. Following Masoretic Text, Targum, and Vulgate; Septuagint reads from My face.
• [c]. Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate read My arms.
• [d]. Literally cords of a man
• [e]. Literally jaws