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The Prophet Hosea

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- Chapter 12 -

1
Ephraim feeds on wind and follows burning heat; all day long he multiplies lies and desolation. And he has entered into a pact with the Assyrians, and he has carried oil into Egypt.
2
Therefore, the judgment of the Lord is with Judah and a visitation is upon Jacob. He will repay him according to his ways and according to his inventions.
3
In the womb, he supplanted his brother; for in his good fortune, he had been guided by an angel.(a)
4
And he prevailed over an angel, for he had been strengthened. He wept and petitioned him. He found him in Bethel, and there he has spoken to us.
5
And the Lord God of hosts, the Lord is his memorial.
6
And so, you should convert to your God. Keep mercy and judgment, and have hope in your God always.
7
Canaan, in his hand is a deceitful balance, he has chosen false accusations.
8
And Ephraim has said, “Nevertheless, I have become rich; I have found an idol for myself. All of my labors will not reveal to me the iniquity that I have committed.”
9
And I, the Lord your God from the land of Egypt, nevertheless will cause you to dwell in tabernacles, just as during the days of the feast.(b)
10
And I have spoken through the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and I have used parables through the hands of the prophets.
11
If Gilead is an idol, then they have been sacrificing cattle in Gilgal to no purpose. For even their altars are like clutter on the soil of the field.(c) (d)
12
Jacob fled into the region of Syria, and Israel served like a wife, and was served by a wife.(e)
13
Yet by a prophet the Lord led Israel out of Egypt, and he was served by a prophet.
14
Ephraim has provoked me to wrath with his bitterness, and his blood will overcome him, and his Lord will requite him for his shamefulness.

Footnotes

(a)12:3 The two parts of this verse are closely related. The second part refers to his ‘good fortune’ (not ‘strength’ in this context) of having been able to supplant his brother. This act of God’s Providence was guided by an angel.(Conte)
(b)12:9 The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles is referred to here. God will make them dwell in makeshift tents and huts, as they do during the days of the Feast of Tabernacles.(Conte)
(c)12:11 The word ‘acervi’ can mean have a positive connotations, as in ‘stockpiles’ or ‘crops’ of grain. It can also have a negative connotation, as in ‘heaps’ of refuse or ‘clutter,’ as in this case.(Conte)
(d)12:11 If Galaad be an idol, etc:That is, if Galaad with all its idols and sacrifices be like a mere idol itself, being brought to nothing by Theglathphalasar: how vain is it to expect, that the idols worshipped in Galgal shall be of any service to the tribes that remain.(Challoner)
(e)12:12 The use of the words ‘servivit’ and ‘servavit’ is a play on words. To keep a similar play on words and maintain the same range of meaning, the translation is ‘served’ and ‘was served by.’ A more literal translation would make the latter verb something like: ‘kept’ or ‘watched over.’(Conte)
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
The LORD 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 contended with God.
4
Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us—
5
even the LORD, the God of Armies. The LORD is his name of renown!
6
Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.
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 the LORD your God from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you 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. Israel served to get a wife. For a wife he tended flocks and herds.
13
By a prophet the LORD brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.
14
Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger. Therefore his blood will be left on him, and his Lord (a) will repay his contempt.

Footnotes

(a)12:14 The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”
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