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Hosea 11

BSB·12 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Whenכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → was a childנַ֥עַרna·‘ar — Young man, boy, or male servantH5288 — Full Word Study →, I loved himוָאֹהֲבֵ֑הוּwā·’ō·hă·ḇê·hū — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study →, and out of Egyptוּמִמִּצְרַ֖יִםū·mim·miṣ·ra·yim — Egypt, the ancient nationH4714 — Full Word Study → I calledקָרָ֥אתִיqā·rā·ṯî — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → My sonלִבְנִֽי׃liḇ·nî — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →. 2But the more I calledקָרְא֖וּqā·rə·’ū — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → Israel, the fartherכֵּ֚ןkên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → they departedהָלְכ֣וּhā·lə·ḵū — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → from Meמִפְּנֵיהֶ֔םmip·pə·nê·hem — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →. They sacrificedיְזַבֵּ֔חוּyə·zab·bê·ḥū — to slaughter an animal as a sacrifice or offeringH2076 — Full Word Study → to the Baalsלַבְּעָלִ֣יםlab·bə·‘ā·lîm — Baal, a pagan deity; false godH1168 — Full Word Study → and burned incenseיְקַטֵּרֽוּן׃yə·qaṭ·ṭê·rūn — to burn incense; to offer fragrant smoke in worshipH6999 — Full Word Study → to carved imagesוְלַפְּסִלִ֖יםwə·lap·pə·si·lîm — carved idol or graven imageH6456 — Full Word Study →. 3It was Iוְאָנֹכִ֤יwə·’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → who taught Ephraimלְאֶפְרַ֔יִםlə·’ep̄·ra·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study → to walkתִרְגַּ֙לְתִּי֙ṯir·gal·tî — to teach, train, accustomH8637 — Full Word Study →, taking themקָחָ֖םqā·ḥām — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → in My arms, but they neverוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → realizedיָדְע֖וּyā·ḏə·‘ū — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → that it was Iכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → who healed themרְפָאתִֽים׃rə·p̄ā·ṯîm — To heal, restore to healthH7495 — Full Word Study →. 4I led themאֶמְשְׁכֵם֙’em·šə·ḵêm — to draw, pull, extend, or prolongH4900 — Full Word Study → with cordsבְּחַבְלֵ֨יbə·ḥaḇ·lê — Rope, cord, line; inheritance; pain, sorrowH2256 — Full Word Study → of kindnessאָדָ֤ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study →, with ropesבַּעֲבֹת֣וֹתba·‘ă·ḇō·ṯō·wṯ — Cord, rope, or binding bandH5688 — Full Word Study → of loveאַהֲבָ֔ה’a·hă·ḇāh — Love, affection, devotionH160 — Full Word Study →; I liftedכִּמְרִ֥ימֵיkim·rî·mê — To raise, lift up, exalt; to be highH7311 — Full Word Study → the yokeעֹ֖ל‘ōl — Yoke; burden; servitude; oxen's harnessH5923 — Full Word Study → fromעַ֣ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → their necksלְחֵיהֶ֑םlə·ḥê·hem — jawboneH3895 — Full Word Study → and bent downוְאַ֥טwə·’aṭ — to stretch out, extend, incline, bendH5186 — Full Word Study → to feed themאוֹכִֽיל׃’ō·w·ḵîl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study →. 5Will they notלֹ֤אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → returnיָשׁוּב֙yā·šūḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the landאֶ֣רֶץ’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → of Egyptמִצְרַ֔יִםmiṣ·ra·yim — Egypt, the ancient nationH4714 — Full Word Study → and be ruledמַלְכּ֑וֹmal·kōw — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → by Assyriaוְאַשּׁ֖וּרwə·’aš·šūr — Assyria, ancient empireH804 — Full Word Study → becauseכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → they refusedמֵאֲנ֖וּmê·’ă·nū — To refuse, reject, or withhold consentH3985 — Full Word Study → to repentלָשֽׁוּב׃lā·šūḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study →? 6A swordחֶ֙רֶב֙ḥe·reḇ — sword; blade weaponH2719 — Full Word Study → will flashוְחָלָ֥הwə·ḥā·lāh — To twist, whirl, dance, writhe; to be in pain or travailH2342 — Full Word Study → through their citiesבְּעָרָ֔יוbə·‘ā·rāw — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →; it will destroyוְכִלְּתָ֥הwə·ḵil·lə·ṯāh — to finish, complete, or bring to an endH3615 — Full Word Study → the bars of their gatesבַדָּ֖יוḇad·dāw — falsehood, lie, deceptionH907 — Full Word Study → and consume them in their own plansמִֽמֹּעֲצ֖וֹתֵיהֶֽם׃mim·mō·‘ă·ṣō·w·ṯê·hem — counsel, advice, or deliberate planH4156 — Full Word Study →. 7My peopleוְעַמִּ֥יwə·‘am·mî — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → are bentתְלוּאִ֖יםṯə·lū·’îm — to hang, be suspended, remain in doubt or uncertaintyH8511 — Full Word Study → on turning from Meלִמְשֽׁוּבָתִ֑יlim·šū·ḇā·ṯî — Apostasy; deliberate spiritual unfaithfulnessH4878 — Full Word Study →. Though they callיִקְרָאֻ֔הוּyiq·rā·’u·hū — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → toוְאֶל־wə·’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the Most Highעַל֙‘al — above, over, upon; the Most HighH5920 — Full Word Study →, He will by no meansלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → exalt themיְרוֹמֵם׃yə·rō·mēm — To raise, lift up, exalt; to be highH7311 — Full Word Study →. 8Howאֵ֞יךְ’êḵ — How? In what way? Where?H349 — Full Word Study → could I give you upאֶתֶּנְךָ֣’et·ten·ḵā — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study →, O Ephraimאֶפְרַ֗יִם’ep̄·ra·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study →? How could I surrender youאֲמַגֶּנְךָ֙’ă·mag·gen·ḵā — to shield, protect, defendH4042 — Full Word Study →, O Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →? Howאֵ֚יךְ’êḵ — How? In what way? Where?H349 — Full Word Study → could I makeאֶתֶּנְךָ֣’et·ten·ḵā — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → you like Admahכְאַדְמָ֔הḵə·’aḏ·māh — Earth, ground, soilH126 — Full Word Study →? How could I treatאֲשִֽׂימְךָ֖’ă·śî·mə·ḵā — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → you like Zeboiimכִּצְבֹאיִ֑םkiṣ·ḇō·yim — Hyenas or gazellesH6636 — Full Word Study →? My heartלִבִּ֔יlib·bî — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → is turnedנֶהְפַּ֤ךְneh·paḵ — to overturn, turn over, transformH2015 — Full Word Study → within Meעָלַי֙‘ā·lay — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →; My compassionנִחוּמָֽי׃ni·ḥū·māy — Comfort, consolation, relief from distressH5150 — Full Word Study → is stirredנִכְמְר֥וּniḵ·mə·rū — to grow warm; to burn with emotion or desireH3648 — Full Word Study →! 9I will notלֹ֤אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → executeאֶֽעֱשֶׂה֙’e·‘ĕ·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → the full furyחֲר֣וֹןḥă·rō·wn — Burning anger, fierce wrathH2740 — Full Word Study → of My angerאַפִּ֔י’ap·pî — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study →; I will notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → turn back to destroyלְשַׁחֵ֣תlə·ša·ḥêṯ — to destroy, ruin, or corruptH7843 — Full Word Study → Ephraimאֶפְרָ֑יִם’ep̄·rā·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study →. Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Iאָֽנֹכִי֙’ā·nō·ḵî — I, myself (first-person singular pronoun)H595 — Full Word Study → am Godאֵ֤ל’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study → and notוְלֹא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → manאִ֔ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study →the Holyקָד֔וֹשׁqā·ḏō·wōš — Set apart, consecrated, sacredH6918 — Full Word Study → One among youבְּקִרְבְּךָ֣bə·qir·bə·ḵā — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study →and I will notוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → comeאָב֖וֹא’ā·ḇō·w — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → in wrathבְּעִֽיר׃bə·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →. 10They will walk afterאַחֲרֵ֧י’a·ḥă·rê — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֛הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; He will roarיִשְׁאָ֑גyiš·’āḡ — To roar; to make a loud, deep soundH7580 — Full Word Study → like a lionכְּאַרְיֵ֣הkə·’ar·yêh — A lion; fierce predatorH738 — Full Word Study →. Whenכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Heה֣וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → roarsיִשְׁאַ֔גyiš·’aḡ — To roar; to make a loud, deep soundH7580 — Full Word Study →, His childrenבָנִ֖יםḇā·nîm — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → will come tremblingוְיֶחֶרְד֥וּwə·ye·ḥer·ḏū — to tremble, quake, or shudder with fearH2729 — Full Word Study → from the westמִיָּֽם׃mî·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study →. 11They will come tremblingיֶחֶרְד֤וּye·ḥer·ḏū — to tremble, quake, or shudder with fearH2729 — Full Word Study → like birdsכְצִפּוֹר֙ḵə·ṣip·pō·wr — Bird or fowlH6833 — Full Word Study → from Egyptמִמִּצְרַ֔יִםmim·miṣ·ra·yim — Egypt, the ancient nationH4714 — Full Word Study → and like dovesוּכְיוֹנָ֖הū·ḵə·yō·w·nāh — dove or pigeon; symbol of purity and innocenceH3123 — Full Word Study → from the landמֵאֶ֣רֶץmê·’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → of Assyriaאַשּׁ֑וּר’aš·šūr — Assyria, ancient empireH804 — Full Word Study →. Then I will settle themוְהוֹשַׁבְתִּ֥יםwə·hō·wō·šaḇ·tîm — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → inעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → their homesבָּתֵּיהֶ֖םbāt·tê·hem — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →, declaresנְאֻם־nə·’um- — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָֽה׃סYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 12Ephraimאֶפְרַ֔יִם’ep̄·ra·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study → surrounds Meסְבָבֻ֤נִיsə·ḇā·ḇu·nî — to turn, surround, go aroundH5437 — Full Word Study → with liesבְכַ֙חַשׁ֙ḇə·ḵa·ḥaš — Lying, falsehood, or deceptionH3585 — Full Word Study →, the houseבֵּ֣יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → with deceitוּבְמִרְמָ֖הū·ḇə·mir·māh — deceit, treachery, or cunning deceptionH4820 — Full Word Study →; but Judahוִֽיהוּדָ֗הwî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → stillעֹ֥ד‘ōḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study → walksרָד֙rāḏ — To rule, dominate, have dominion overH7300 — Full Word Study → withעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → Godאֵ֔ל’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study → and is faithful toוְעִם־wə·‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → the Holy Oneקְדוֹשִׁ֖יםqə·ḏō·wō·šîm — Set apart, consecrated, sacredH6918 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Hosea 11
Chapter Overview

Overview

Hosea 11 presents one of Scripture's most tender portraits of God's love for His wayward people, set against the backdrop of their stubborn rebellion. The chapter opens with God's memory of Israel as a beloved child whom He called out of Egypt, yet traces the nation's tragic descent into idolatry and spiritual abandonment. The heart of this passage reveals God's internal struggle: though Israel deserves judgment, His love and mercy triumph, and He promises ultimate restoration. This chapter shows us that God's love is not sentimental but resolute—disciplining when necessary, yet never abandoning His covenant people.

Verses 1–4: God's Tender Care and Israel's Ingratitude

God begins by recalling the tenderness of His relationship with Israel. When He "called my son out of Egypt" (verse 1), He references both the Exodus and Israel's early covenant identity as God's firstborn (Exodus 4:22). Yet despite this loving call, Israel responded by turning to false gods—"they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images" (verse 2). The contrast is stark and sorrowful.

In verses 3 and 4, God describes His patient instruction: teaching Ephraim to walk like a parent steadying a child's first steps, healing their diseases, drawing them "with cords of a man, with bands of love." The imagery is intimate—God as a tender parent removing a yoke from an animal's jaw to ease its burden, providing nourishment. Yet Israel "knew not that I healed them" (verse 3). They were blind to God's goodness, attributing their prosperity to idols rather than their true Benefactor. This reveals the tragic reality of unbelief: God's mercies go unrecognized and unappreciated.

Application: Do we recognize God's daily mercies? Often He sustains us, guides us, and blesses us in ways we never acknowledge. Let this passage stir us to grateful awareness of His constant care.

Verses 5–7: Judgment and Persistent Rebellion

Because Israel "refused to return" to the Lord, judgment comes. They will not return to Egypt but instead "the Assyrian shall be his king" (verse 5)—a reference to the historical captivity of the northern kingdom. The sword will consume their cities and "devour them, because of their own counsels" (verse 6). Importantly, God emphasizes that Israel's destruction stems from their own rebellion, not His arbitrary cruelty.

Verse 7 deepens the indictment: "My people are bent to backsliding from me." Despite prophetic calls to "the most High," none would "exalt him." Israel's problem was not ignorance but willful stubbornness. They had prophets calling them to repentance, yet they refused to listen. This is a sobering reminder that spiritual judgment often comes not because God is distant, but because people persistently reject His revealed will.

Verses 8–11: God's Love Triumphs Over Judgment

Here the chapter reaches its emotional climax. In verse 8, God Himself wrestles with the implications of Israel's sin: "How shall I give thee up, Ephraim?" He contemplates destroying Israel as He did Admah and Zeboim (cities of the plain destroyed with Sodom and Gomorrah), yet His heart recoils. "Mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together"—God's compassion overrides His justice.

Verse 9 contains the resolution: "I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man." Unlike human hatred, which seeks complete annihilation, God's nature preserves a remnant. His holiness demands justice, but His love ensures redemption.

Verses 10–11 promise restoration: Israel will "walk after the LORD" and return from exile "as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria," finally inhabiting their houses in peace. The roaring of the Lion (the Lord) will summon His scattered children home.

Verse 12 adds a final note: while Ephraim (the northern kingdom) remained entangled in lies and deceit, Judah (the southern kingdom) "yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints."

Application for Today

Hosea 11 assures us that God's love toward His children is unshakeable, yet it does not excuse rebellion. He disciplines those He loves, but never abandons them. As believers, we can rest in this truth: our failures do not exhaust God's patience, and His judgment is always tempered by mercy. Are you wandering from the Lord? His heart remains turned toward you, calling you home.

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