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Hosea 11

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God's Love for Israel 1–4

1
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. ​
2
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. ​
3
I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. ​
4
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. ​

Judgment for Refusal to Repent 5–7

5
He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return. ​
6
And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels. ​
7
And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him. ​

God's Compassion Overcomes Wrath 8–9

8
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. ​
9
I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city. ​

The Promise of Future Restoration 10–11

10
They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west. ​
11
They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD. ​

Ephraim's Political and Spiritual Folly 12

12
Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints. ​

Bible text: King James Version (1769 Blayney text) · Public domain

Study Notes for Hosea 11

Verse 1

When Israel was a child — Na'ar, a boy; the love reaches back to Egypt, where the LORD said 'Israel is my son, even my firstborn' (Ex 4:22). Matthew applies 'called my son out of Egypt' to Christ's return from Egypt: 'Out of Egypt have I called my son' (Matt 2:15).

Verse 2

As they called them, so they went from them — The more those sent to call Israel called, the further the people went. 'Baalim' is the plural of Ba'al; Hos 2:13 speaks of 'the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them'. 'Graven images' is pesil, a carved idol.

Verse 3

I taught Ephraim also to go — Tirgal means to teach to walk: the LORD acts as a parent teaching a child its steps, holding it by the arms. 'Healed' is rapha; Israel did not know the healer, yet he promises, 'I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely' (Hos 14:4).

Verse 4

cords of a man, with bands of love — The LORD drew Israel with human, kindly cords (adam; ahavah, love). Lifting the yoke from the 'jaws' recalls Lev 26:13, 'I have broken the bands of your yoke', and Jer 31:3, 'with lovingkindness have I drawn thee'.

Verse 5

the Assyrian shall be his king — The cause is stated: 'they refused to return' (ma'en, to refuse; shub, to turn back). Hos 10:6 has Israel's idol carried 'unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb', and Hos 9:3 names both lands: 'Ephraim shall return to Egypt… eat unclean things in Assyria'.

Verse 6

because of their own counsels — Mo'etsah, a purpose or device: the sword falls on the cities because of Israel's own schemes (Hos 10:6, 'ashamed of his own counsel'; 7:11, 'they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria'). 'Branches' is bad, a part or bar. See Lev 26:31, 'I will make your cities waste'.

Verse 7

bent to backsliding — Tala, to hang, to be suspended: the people hang on turning from him. 'Backsliding' is meshuvah, from shub, the verb of 'return' in v.5. 'They return, but not to the most High' (Hos 7:16); the LORD answers, 'I will heal their backsliding' (Hos 14:4).

Verse 8

as Admah… as Zeboim — The two cities that perished with Sodom (Deut 29:23, 'like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim'). 'Turned' is haphak, overturned; 'repentings' nichum, comfort; 'kindled' kamar, to grow warm. Compare Jer 31:20, 'my bowels are troubled for him'.

Verse 9

I am God, and not man — The ground of mercy is who God is: 'God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent' (Num 23:19). 'Holy One' is qadosh: 'great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee' (Isa 12:6). 'Return to destroy' uses shub, as in v.5.

Verse 10

he shall roar like a lion — Sha'ag, the roar elsewhere sounded in judgment: 'The LORD will roar from Zion' (Amos 1:2). Here it summons. 'Tremble' is charad, used again in v.11 of the birds. 'The west' is yam, the sea. 'Afterward shall the children of Israel return' (Hos 3:5).

Verse 11

as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove — Tsippor, a small bird, and yonah, dove, coming with trembling (charad, as in v.10). Egypt and Assyria are the two lands named in v.5 and Hos 9:3. Zech 10:10: 'I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria'.

Verse 12

Judah yet ruleth with God — Ephraim's 'lies' (kachash) and 'deceit' (mirmah) are set against Judah, who 'ruleth' (rud) with God and is 'faithful' (aman) 'with the saints'. 'Saints' is qadosh, the word for the 'Holy One' of v.9, so the faithfulness is toward him.