Hosea 12:6

Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

Therefore turn {H7725} thou to thy God {H430}: keep {H8104} mercy {H2617} and judgment {H4941}, and wait {H6960} on thy God {H430} continually {H8548}.

So you, return to your God; hold fast to grace and justice; and always put your hope in your God.

But you must return to your God, maintaining love and justice, and always waiting on your God.

Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep kindness and justice, and wait for thy God continually.

Commentary

Hosea 12:6 is a powerful call to the people of Israel, and subsequently to believers today, urging a return to a right relationship with God through genuine repentance and righteous living.

Context

Chapter 12 of Hosea continues the prophet's indictment against Israel (Ephraim) for their unfaithfulness, reliance on foreign alliances (like Egypt and Assyria), and deceitful practices. The chapter opens by contrasting their current state with the faithfulness of their ancestor Jacob, who wrestled with God and prevailed (Hosea 12:3-5). Despite their heritage, the people have become merchants known for dishonesty. In this verse, God, through Hosea, offers a path forward amidst their sin โ€“ a direct command to turn back to Him.

Key Themes

  • Repentance: The primary command is to "turn thou to thy God," signifying a change of direction away from sin and back towards divine relationship.
  • Righteous Living: Keeping "mercy and judgment" emphasizes the ethical requirements of God's covenant โ€“ acting with lovingkindness towards others and upholding justice.
  • Dependence on God: To "wait on thy God continually" speaks to persistent hope, trust, and reliance on the Lord in all circumstances.

Linguistic Insights

The word translated "turn" is the Hebrew term shuv (ืฉืื•ึผื‘), a key biblical word for repentance, meaning to turn back or return. "Mercy" comes from chesed (ื—ึถืกึถื“), often translated as lovingkindness, steadfast love, or covenant loyalty, highlighting God's character and what He expects from His people. "Judgment" is mishpat (ืžึดืฉืึฐืคึผึธื˜), referring to justice, right ruling, and equitable conduct. "Wait" is qavah (ืงึธื•ึธื”), which means to wait, hope, or look eagerly for, suggesting patient endurance and expectation rooted in trust.

Reflection and Application

This verse remains incredibly relevant. It provides a clear summary of what a life centered on God looks like:

  1. A conscious decision to turn away from sin and towards God.
  2. Living out faith through practical actions of mercy and justice in our interactions with others.
  3. Maintaining a constant posture of waiting and hoping in God, trusting His timing and provision rather than relying on worldly schemes or our own strength.
It is a call to consistent, holistic faithfulness rooted in a returned relationship with the Lord.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Micah 6:8 (12 votes)

    He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

  • Hosea 14:1 (5 votes)

    ยถ O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

  • Micah 7:7 (5 votes)

    ยถ Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

  • Lamentations 3:25 (4 votes)

    The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him.

  • Lamentations 3:26 (4 votes)

    [It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

  • Hosea 6:1 (4 votes)

    ยถ Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

  • Hosea 6:3 (4 votes)

    Then shall we know, [if] we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter [and] former rain unto the earth.