Hosea 12
12
Infidelity of Israel#This chapter draws a parallel between the history of Israel and events in the life of Jacob-Israel, the ancestor.
1Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,
the house of Israel, with deceit;
Judah still wanders about with gods,
and is faithful to holy ones.#An attack on the idolatry of both kingdoms, Israel and Judah. Holy ones: subordinate gods, members of the divine council.
2#Hosea frequently condemns the alliances with Assyria and Egypt, the two world powers (7:8–16). Ephraim shepherds the wind,
and pursues the east wind all day long.
He multiplies lies and violence:
They make a covenant with Assyria,
and oil is carried to Egypt.
3The Lord has a dispute with Judah,
and will punish Jacob#Jacob: whose name was changed to Israel (Gn 35:10). for his conduct,
and repay him for his deeds.
4In the womb he supplanted his brother,#Gn 25:26; 27:35–36.
and in his vigor he contended with a divine being;
5He contended with an angel and prevailed,#Gn 32:25–30.
he wept and entreated him.
At Bethel he met with him,
and there he spoke with him.#Gn 28:12–19; 35:15.
6The Lord is the God of hosts,
the Lord is his name!#Ex 3:15; Am 4:13.
7You must return to your God.
Maintain loyalty and justice
and always hope in your God.
8A merchant who holds a false balance,
he loves to extort!
9Ephraim has said,
“How rich I have become;
I have made a fortune!”#Rev 3:17.
All his gain will not suffice
for the guilt of his sin.
10I the Lord have been your God,
since the land of Egypt;#Ex 20:2.
I will again have you live in tents,
as on feast days.
11I spoke to the prophets,
I granted many visions,#Ps 74:9.
and through the prophets I told parables.
12In Gilead is falsehood, they have come to nothing;
in Gilgal they sacrifice bulls,
But their altars are like heaps of stones#Gn 31:45–54; Jos 4–5.
in the furrows of the field.
13Jacob fled to the land of Aram,
and Israel served for a wife;
for a wife he tended sheep.#Gn 28:5; 29:15–30; 30:31.
14But by a prophet#A prophet: Moses. the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt,
and by a prophet Israel was tended.#Ex 3:7–10; Dt 18:18.
15Ephraim has aroused bitter anger,
so his Lord shall cast his bloodguilt upon him
and repay him for his scorn.
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Hosea 12: NABRE
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