> [[hosea-11|← Previous]] | [[hosea-00|TOC]] | [[hosea-13|Next →]] --- # Hosea, Chapter 12 ## Chapter 12 ### Infidelity of Israel 1 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, ^hosea-12-1 the house of Israel, with deceit; Judah still wanders about with gods, and is faithful to holy ones. 2 Ephraim shepherds the wind, ^hosea-12-2 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. 3 The LORD has a dispute with Judah, ^hosea-12-3 and will punish Jacob for his conduct, and repay him for his deeds. 4 In the womb he supplanted his brother, ^hosea-12-4 and in his vigor he contended with a divine being; 5 He contended with an angel and prevailed, ^hosea-12-5 he wept and entreated him. At Bethel he met with him, and there he spoke with him. 6 The LORD is the God of hosts, ^hosea-12-6 the LORD is his name! 7 You must return to your God. ^hosea-12-7 Maintain loyalty and justice and always hope in your God. 8 A merchant who holds a false balance, ^hosea-12-8 he loves to extort! 9 Ephraim has said, ^hosea-12-9 “How rich I have become; I have made a fortune!” All his gain will not suffice for the guilt of his sin. 10 I the LORD have been your God, ^hosea-12-10 since the land of Egypt; I will again have you live in tents, as on feast days. 11 I spoke to the prophets, ^hosea-12-11 I granted many visions, and through the prophets I told parables. 12 In Gilead is falsehood, they have come to nothing; ^hosea-12-12 in Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, But their altars are like heaps of stones in the furrows of the field. 13 Jacob fled to the land of Aram, ^hosea-12-13 and Israel served for a wife; for a wife he tended sheep. 14 But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, ^hosea-12-14 and by a prophet Israel was tended. 15 Ephraim has aroused bitter anger, ^hosea-12-15 so his Lord shall cast his bloodguilt upon him and repay him for his scorn. \* (12:1] – [15) This chapter draws a parallel between the history of Israel and events in the life of Jacob-Israel, the ancestor. \* (12:1) An attack on the idolatry of both kingdoms, Israel and Judah. Holy ones: subordinate gods, members of the divine council. \* (12:2) Hosea frequently condemns the alliances with Assyria and Egypt, the two world powers ([7:8] – [16]). \* (12:3) Jacob: whose name was changed to Israel ([Gn 35:10]). \* (12:14) A prophet: Moses. a. (12:4) [Gn 25:26]; [27:35] – [36]. b. (12:5) [Gn 32:25] – [30]. c. (12:5) [Gn 28:12] – [19]; [35:15]. d. (12:6) ([[exodus-03|Ex 3]]:15]; [Am 4:13]. e. (12:9) ([[revelation-03|Rv 3]]:17]. f. (12:10) ([[exodus-20|Ex 20]]:2]. g. (12:11) [Ps 74:9]. h. (12:12) [Gn 31:45] – [54]; [Jos 4] – [5]. i. (12:13) [Gn 28:5]; [29:15] – [30]; [30:31]. j. (12:14) ([[exodus-03|Ex 3]]:7] – [10]; [Dt 18:18]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[hosea-11|← Previous]] | [[hosea-00|TOC]] | [[hosea-13|Next →]]