The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Hosea 11
1 “When Israel was a child, then I loved
him, and called my son out of Egypt.
2 They called to them, so they went from
them. They sacrificed to the Baals,
and burned incense to engraved images.
3 Yet I taught Ephraim to walk.
I took them by their arms,
but they didn’t know that I healed
them.
4 I drew them with cords of a man, with ties
of love; and I was to them like those who lift up
the yoke on their necks; and I bent
down to him and I fed him.
5 “They won’t return into the land of Egypt;
but the Assyrian will be their king,
because they refused to repent.
6 The sword will fall on their cities,
and will destroy the bars oftheir gates,
and will put an end to their plans.
7 My people are determined to turn from
me. Though they call to the Most High,
he certainly won’t exalt them.
8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
How can I make you like Zeboiim?
My heart is turned within me,
my compassion is aroused.
9 I will not execute the fierceness of my
anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim,
for I am God, and not man—the Holy
One among you. I will not come in wrath.
10 They will walk after Yahweh,
who will roar like a lion;
for he will roar, and the children will
come trembling from the west.
11 They will come trembling like a bird out
of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria;
and I will settle them in their houses,” says
Yahweh.
12 Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood,
and the house of Israel with deceit.
Judah still strays from God,
and is unfaithful to the Holy One.