Hosea 12:1-10

1 Efrayim feeds on wind, And chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Ashshur, And oil is carried into Mitzrayim.

2 The LORD also has a controversy with Yehudah, And will punish Ya`akov according to his ways; According to his deeds he will repay him.

3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel; And in his manhood he had power with God.

4 Indeed, he had power over the angel, and prevailed; He wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Beit-El, and there he spoke with us,

5 Even the LORD, the God Tzva'ot,; The LORD is his name of renown!

6 Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.

7 A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves to defraud.

8 Efrayim said, "Surely I have become rich, I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they won't find in me any iniquity that is sin."

9 "But I am the LORD your God from the land of Mitzrayim. I will yet again make you to dwell in tents, As in the days of the solemn feast.

10 I have also spoken to the prophets, And I have multiplied visions; And by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.

Hosea 12:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 12

This chapter contains complaints and charges both against Israel and Judah, and threatens them with punishment in case they repent not, which they are exhorted to: and first Ephraim is charged with idolatry, vain confidence in, and alliances with, foreign nations, Ho 12:1; and then the Lord declares he has a controversy with Judah, and will punish the inhabitants of it for their sins, Ho 12:2; which are aggravated by their being the descendants of so great a man as Jacob, who got the advantage of his elder brother, had much power with God, and received favours from him, and they also, Ho 12:3-5; and therefore are exhorted to turn to God, wait on him, and do that which is right and good, Ho 12:6. Ephraim is again in his turn charged with fraudulent dealing in trade, and with oppression, and the love of it; and yet pretended he got riches by his own labour, without wronging any, Ho 12:7,8; nevertheless, the Lord promises them public ordinances of worship, and joy in them, and the ministry of his prophets, Ho 12:9,10; though for the present they were guilty of gross idolatry, Ho 12:11; which is aggravated by the raising of Jacob their progenitor from a low estate, and the wonderful preservation of him, and the bringing of them out of Egypt, Ho 12:12,13; and the chapter is closed with observing Ephraim's bitter provocation of God, for which his reproach should return unto him, and his blood be left upon him, Ho 12:14.