1Ephraim† feeds on the windand pursues the east wind all day long;he multiplies lies and violence;he makes a covenant with Assyriaand sends oliveoilto Egypt.2The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah.He will punishJacob† according to his waysand repay him according to his deeds.3In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel,and in his vigor he wrestled with God.4Yes, he struggled with the angel† and prevailed;he wept and sought His favor;he found Him at Betheland spoke with Him there —†5the LORDGodof Hosts,the LORD is His name of renown.6But you must return to your God;maintain love and justice,and always wait on your God.ⓘDuring the reign of Jeroboam II (793–753 BC),...
During the reign of Jeroboam II (793–753 BC), Israelite merchants became fabulously wealthy, often by using deceitful business practices like dishonest scales (see Amos 8:5–6).
The Hebrew term translated merchants is kena‘an (“Canaan”). Canaanite traders were notorious in the ancient world for their crafty dealings. The Israelites had imitated their pagan neighbors not only in religion but also in commerce.
7A merchant loves to defraudwith dishonestscales in his hands.8And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become!I have found wealth for myself.In all my labors, they can find in meno iniquity that is sinful.”9But I am the LORDyour Godever since the land of Egypt.I will again make you dwell in tents,as in the days of the appointed feast.10I spoke through the prophetsand multiplied their visions;I gave parables through the prophets.11Is there iniquityin Gilead?They will surely come to nothing.Do they sacrifice bullsin Gilgal?Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stonesin the furrows of the field.12Jacob fled to the land of Aram†and Israelworked for a wife—for a wife he tended sheep.13But by a prophet the LORD brought Israelout of Egypt,and by a prophet he was preserved.14Ephraim has provoked bitter anger,so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt upon himand repay him for his contempt.
Commentary
Hosea 12:1
alliance with Assyria: In order to save his land, Hoshea became a vassal of King Shalmaneser of Assyria (2 Kgs 17:3). Hoshea soon rebelled against Shalmaneser by withholding tribute and turned to King So of Egypt for support (2 Kgs 17:4).
Jacob struggled with his brother (literally he supplanted his brother): This verb (Hebrew ‘aqab) forms the root of Jacob’s name. Even before he was born, Jacob acted out the meaning of his name by supplanting his brother Esau (Gen 25:26).
As an adult, Jacob even fought with God (see Gen 32:22–30) and was renamed “Israel,” meaning “God fights.”
The Lord admonished Israel to live no longer as Jacob did, but to return to God and act with love and justice.
Commentary
Hosea 12:9
I will make you live in tents again: God’s judgment on the wealthy Israelite merchants was for them to return to the humble dwellings of the Exodus. There is also a word of hope here: God’s plan of salvation for Israel would begin anew in the wilderness (see 2:14–15).