Catholic Bible
Mosaico decorativo

Hosea, 12

1. Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

1. Ephraim has surrounded me with lies; Israel comes to me with deceit. They follow Baal and run after the sanctuaries.

2. The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

2. Ephraim feeds on wind, forever chasing the east wind, always more given to falsehood and violence. They have made a treaty with Assyria and brought oil to Egypt.

3. He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:

3. Yahweh has brought Jacob to trial. He will call him to account for his ways and repay his deeds.

4. Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him [in] Bethel, and there he spake with us;

4. In the womb he supplanted his brother and later he struggled with God, battling until he got the better of the angel.

5. Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD [is] his memorial.

5. The angel, in fact, wept and pleaded with him! He met him at Bethel and there he spoke to him.

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

6. (Yahweh, the God of armies, Yahweh is his Name.)

7. [He is] a merchant, the balances of deceit [are] in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

7. You must return to your God, practice love and justice and trust in your God.)

8. And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: [in] all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that [were] sin.

8. Canaan has dishonest scales and likes to cheat.

9. And I [that am] the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.

9. Ephraim boasts, "I have become rich and possess a fortune." Yet he will be left with nothing of what he has treasured for he was doing wrong.

10. I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

10. I am Yahweh, your God, since the days of Egypt; I will have you live in tents again as in the days of Meeting.

11. [Is there] iniquity [in] Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars [are] as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

11. Then I will speak to the prophets, give them many visions and teach you through their parables.

12. And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept [sheep].

12. The people of Gilead are wicked; they are false. They offered sacrifices to bulls in Gilgal. This is why their altars will become ruins on a plowed field.

13. And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

13. Jacob fled to the plains of Aram; Israel served to have a wife, and for her sake he cared for sheep.

14. Ephraim provoked [him] to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

14. Yahweh, in turn brought Israel out of Egypt through a prophet; by means of this prophet he cared for them.

15.

15. Ephraim, nevertheless, angered him bitterly. The Lord will bring down on him the blood he shed and repay him for his contempt.



Read the Bible in a Year

Join our community and complete the entire Bible in 365 days. A structured and inspiring path to deepen your faith and knowledge of Scripture.

Join the Program Download the PDF Plan

Footnotes:

12:1-2 - Israel continues to rebel against God, seeking help in alliances with foreign nations. This behavior reflects the people's ingratitude, having forgotten God's faithfulness throughout their history, as seen in the passages about Abraham and Jacob (see also 2 Kings 17:4 and Jeremiah 2:13).

12:3-6 - The example of Jacob, who wrestled with God and prevailed, is used to call Israel to repentance and true worship. God is presented as the one who blesses those who seek His face with humility and sincerity (see also Genesis 32:22-32 and James 4:10).

12:7-9 - Israel is rebuked for its dependence on wealth and falsehood. God's true blessing comes not from material resources, but from living in obedience and faithfulness to the Lord. The call is for the people to seek justice and mercy (see also Amos 5:24 and Matthew 6:33).

12:10-14 - God sent the prophets to warn Israel, but the people still reject God's message. The chapter highlights the need to hear God's voice and seek His guidance to restore the covenant (see also Jeremiah 7:25-26 and Hebrews 3:7-8).

Verses related to Hosea, 12:

Hosea chapter 12 brings lessons from the story of Jacob. How does Israel's past illuminate its present? This reflective text draws parallels between Jacob and the nation, addressing themes such as deception, spiritual struggle, and the need to return to God. The chapter emphasizes the importance of learning from history and remaining faithful to the covenant. Hosea 12 invites a reevaluation of Israel's spiritual identity. Examine with us five biblical passages that correlate with the fundamental themes of this instructive chapter.

Genesis 32:24-26: "So Jacob was left alone, and a man fought with him until dawn. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the joint in Jacob's thigh, so that it dislocated as they fought. Then the man said, 'Let me go, for it is already dawn.' But Jacob answered him, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.'" - This passage recounts the event referred to in Hosea 12:3-4, showing Jacob's struggle with God.

Amos 2:10: "I also brought them out of Egypt and led them in the desert for forty years to give them the land of the Amorites." - This verse echoes Hosea 12:13, recalling Israel's liberation from Egypt.

Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires: do justice, love faithfulness and walk humbly with your God." - This passage reflects the call in Hosea 12:6 to return to God and practice righteousness.

Proverbs 11:1: "The Lord hates dishonest scales, but accurate weights give him pleasure." - This proverb relates to the Hosea 12:7 condemnation of dishonest business practices.

Hebrews 12:5-6: "And you have forgotten the word of encouragement that he addresses to you as to children: 'My son, do not despise the discipline of the Lord, nor be hurt by his rebuke, for the Lord disciplines those he loves, and punishes everyone he accepts. like a son'." - This passage reflects the theme of divine discipline seen in Hosea 12, where God rebukes his people out of love.

FAQ:

What does Hosea 12 teach about Israel's struggle with God?

Israel is described as wrestling with God, as Jacob wrestled with the angel. This reflects the people's stubbornness in following their own ways. (Hosea 12:3-4)

What does God promise Israel in Hosea 12?

God promises to restore Israel, but emphasizes that they must return to Him and abandon idol worship. (Hosea 12:6)

What is the lesson about justice in Hosea 12?

God teaches that true righteousness comes from living according to His will, not through deception or worship of false gods. (Hosea 12:6-7)

How does Hosea 12 describe Ephraim's corruption?

Ephraim is described as deceiving others and trusting in his own strength rather than in God. This leads to his downfall and destruction. (Hosea 12:7-8)

How does God describe Ephraim's character in Hosea 12?

God describes Ephraim as deceitful and unrighteous, a people who have turned away from Him and chosen to live corruptly. (Hosea 12:7-8)


Bibles

Old Testament

New Testament

Avaiable on Youtube