Hosea 10:11

And Ephraim [is as] an heifer [that is] taught, [and] loveth to tread out [the corn]; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, [and] Jacob shall break his clods.

And Ephraim {H669} is as an heifer {H5697} that is taught {H3925}, and loveth {H157} to tread out {H1758} the corn; but I passed over {H5674} upon her fair {H2898} neck {H6677}: I will make Ephraim {H669} to ride {H7392}; Judah {H3063} shall plow {H2790}, and Jacob {H3290} shall break his clods {H7702}.

Efrayim is a well-taught cow - it loves to tread the grain, and I have spared her fair neck. But I will put Efrayim in harness, Y'hudah will have to plow, Ya'akov will harrow his own land.

Ephraim is a well-trained heifer that loves to thresh; but I will place a yoke on her fair neck. I will harness Ephraim, Judah will plow, and Jacob will break the hard ground.

And Ephraim is a heifer that is taught, that loveth to tread out the grain; but I have passed over upon her fair neck: I will set a rider on Ephraim; Judah shall plow, Jacob shall break his clods.

Commentary

Hosea 10:11 uses vivid agricultural imagery to describe God's disciplinary judgment upon Israel, particularly the Northern Kingdom, Ephraim, and by extension, Judah and all of Jacob. The verse highlights the consequences of superficial worship and unfaithfulness, contrasting the easy path Israel preferred with the hard labor God would impose as correction.

Context of Hosea 10:11

This verse is part of Hosea's prophetic message delivered to the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often referred to as Ephraim, its dominant tribe), warning them of impending judgment due to their idolatry, spiritual harlotry, and reliance on foreign alliances instead of the Lord. Throughout the book, Hosea laments Israel's unfaithfulness to their covenant with God, portraying it as a wife who has abandoned her husband. Chapter 10 specifically describes Israel's spiritual decline, their reliance on material prosperity, and their rejection of God's law. The agricultural metaphors here underscore God's sovereign hand in guiding or punishing His people, turning their preferred easy life into one of demanding labor as a form of divine discipline. This judgment is a direct consequence of their actions, as detailed in other warnings throughout Hosea, such as Hosea 4:1.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Discipline and Judgment: God's response to Israel's persistent sin is not abandonment, but firm discipline. The shift from "treading out corn" (easy work) to "plowing" and "breaking clods" (hard labor) symbolizes a period of hardship and subjugation. This reflects God's corrective love, as also seen in passages like Hebrews 12:6.
  • Consequences of Unfaithfulness: Israel, like a well-fed heifer, enjoyed the blessings of God but preferred the easy, self-serving aspects of their relationship with Him, symbolized by treading out corn where they could eat freely. Their aversion to true obedience and hard spiritual labor led to a divine imposition of a much heavier yoke.
  • Agricultural Metaphors:
    • Ephraim as a taught heifer: Represents Israel, accustomed to a life of ease and prosperity, enjoying God's blessings without genuine commitment or hard work. "Treading out the corn" (threshing) was the least laborious task for an animal, allowing it to eat freely.
    • "I passed over upon her fair neck": God imposes a yoke, symbolizing forced labor, servitude, or harsh discipline.
    • "I will make Ephraim to ride": This implies Ephraim will be ridden, meaning they will be subjugated and burdened, rather than being the master.
    • "Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods": Even the Southern Kingdom (Judah) and indeed all of Israel (Jacob) will face difficult, strenuous tasks, signifying widespread judgment and demanding spiritual or physical toil.
  • Sovereignty of God: The Lord is depicted as the one who controls the destiny of nations, imposing burdens or granting ease according to their faithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "heifer" (`ืขึถื’ึฐืœึธื”`, eglah) often denotes a young cow, while "taught" (`ืžึฐืœึปืžึผึธื“ึธื”`, melummadah) implies one trained for work. The phrase "loveth to tread out the corn" captures the animal's natural inclination to do the easiest work that also provides sustenance. The imagery vividly contrasts this preferred ease with the imposition of the yoke โ€“ "I passed over upon her fair neck" โ€“ indicating God's direct intervention to bring discipline. The verb "to ride" (`ืจึธื›ึทื‘`, rakhav) can be transitive, meaning to cause to ride or to be ridden, supporting the interpretation of subjugation.

Practical Application

Hosea 10:11 serves as a timeless reminder that God desires genuine devotion and obedience, not just superficial service or a relationship based on ease and self-benefit. When we, like Ephraim, become comfortable and neglect our spiritual duties, seeking only what is easy or pleasurable, God may intervene with corrective discipline. This discipline, though painful, is ultimately intended to lead us to repentance, growth, and a deeper, more committed relationship with Him. It calls believers to embrace the "hard work" of discipleship, acknowledging that true worship, as described in John 4:24, requires spirit and truth, not just convenience.

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Cross-References

  • Hosea 4:16 (4 votes)

    For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.

  • Deuteronomy 25:4 (3 votes)

    Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out [the corn].

  • Jeremiah 50:11 (3 votes)

    Because ye were glad, because ye rejoiced, O ye destroyers of mine heritage, because ye are grown fat as the heifer at grass, and bellow as bulls;

  • Romans 16:18 (2 votes)

    For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

  • Hosea 9:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ Rejoice not, O Israel, for joy, as [other] people: for thou hast gone a whoring from thy God, thou hast loved a reward upon every cornfloor.

  • Hosea 2:5 (2 votes)

    For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give [me] my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.

  • 2 Chronicles 28:5 (2 votes)

    Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought [them] to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter.