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Hosea Chapter 12 (WEB)

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Hosea 12 - Turn Thou to Thy God
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1 Ephraim feeds on wind, And chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, And oil is carried into Egypt.

2 Yahweh also has a controversy with Judah, And will punish Jacob 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 Bethel, and there he spoke with us,

5 Even Yahweh, the God of hosts; Yahweh 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 Ephraim 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 Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt. 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.

11 If Gilead is wicked, Surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Indeed, their altars are like heaps in the furrows of the field.

12 Jacob fled into the country of Aram, And Israel served to get a wife, And for a wife he tended flocks and herds.

13 By a prophet Yahweh brought Israel up out of Egypt, And by a prophet he was preserved.

14 Ephraim has provoked to anger most bitterly. Therefore his blood will be left on him, And his his Lord will repay his contempt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hosea 12 recall about Jacob?
It recounts how Jacob "took his brother by the heel in the womb," then later "had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him" (v.3-4), using this ancestor's story as a backdrop for God's dispute with Judah.
What accusation does verse 7 make against Ephraim?
"He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress" - accusing Ephraim of dishonest dealing despite claiming innocence in verse 8.
What does the chapter say about seeking God?
Verse 6 urges, "Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy God continually" - a call for justice and faithfulness similar in spirit to Micah 6:8.

Today's Verse

Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;

Ezekiel 17:2 | ASV

Verse Of The Day

Ephraim's present dishonesty as a merchant 'with balances of deceit' stands in sharp contrast to Jacob's example, and the judgment intensifies in Hosea 13. The call to 'keep mercy and judgment' in verse 6 anticipates Micah's summary of true religion in Micah 6:8.