The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Hosea 12
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 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 Yahweh, the God of Armies.
Yahweh 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 Ephraimsaid, “Surely Ihave become rich.
I have found myself wealth.
In all my wealth they won’t find in me
any iniquity that is sin.”
9 “ButI am Yahweh 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 Yahweh 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† will repay his contempt.