Hoshea 11:3-11

3 Yet it was I who taught Ephrayim to walk, taking them by their zero’ot; but they knew not that it was I who healed them.

4 I drew them with cords of man, with bands of ahavah; and I was to them as they that ease the ol (yoke) on their jaws, and I bent down to feed them.

5 Will they not return into Eretz Mitzrayim? And will not the Assyrian be his melech, because they refused to make teshuvah.

6 And the cherev shall flash in his towns, and shall destroy his gate bars, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

7 And Ami are bent to backsliding from Me; though they called to the Most High, none at all would exalt Him.

8 How shall I give thee up, Ephrayim? How shall I hand thee over, Yisroel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I make thee as Tzvoyim? Mine lev is turned within Me, My relentings are kindled together.

9 I will not execute Mine charon af, I will not return to destroy Ephrayim; for El ani, and not ish; the Kadosh (Holy One) in the midst of thee; and I will not come in wrath.

10 They shall walk after Hashem; He shall roar like an aryeh; when He shall roar, then the banim shall come trembling from the west.

11 They shall come trembling as a bird out of Mitzrayim, and as a yonah out of Eretz Assyria; and I will place them in their batim (houses), saith Hashem.

Hoshea 11:3-11 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.