Hosea 11

King James Version

Full text for Hosea Chapter 11

1¶ When Israel [was] a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

2[As] they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

3I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

4I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

5He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.

6And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour [them], because of their own counsels.

7And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].

8¶ How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

9I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I [am] God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

10They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.

11They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.

12Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

God recounts His tender love for Israel from its infancy, calling them out of Egypt and nurturing them. Despite His unwavering care, Israel persistently turned to idolatry and backsliding, leading to the declared judgment of Assyrian captivity. Yet, in a profound display of divine compassion, God's heart is moved, and He refrains from utterly destroying Ephraim, promising a future restoration.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with God reminiscing about His parental love for Israel, likening it to a child called from Egypt and taught to walk. Despite this intimate care, Israel continually rebelled, sacrificing to Baalim and embracing graven images. Consequently, God declares that Assyria will be their king and destruction will come upon their cities due to their refusal to return to Him. However, a poignant shift occurs as God expresses His deep internal conflict, questioning how He can give up Ephraim and Israel, His heart being turned with compassion. He declares He will not execute the fierceness of His anger, for He is God and not man, the Holy One. The chapter concludes with a promise that the children of Israel shall one day walk after the LORD, returning from exile, though Ephraim is currently characterized by lies and deceit, contrasted with Judah's faithfulness.

Long Summary

Hosea 11 begins with the LORD recalling His profound, parental love for Israel from its earliest days, calling His "son" out of Egypt and tenderly teaching Ephraim to go, taking them by their arms, and healing them, though they did not acknowledge His care. Despite this divine nurturing, Israel consistently turned away, sacrificing to Baalim and burning incense to graven images whenever they were called. As a consequence of their persistent refusal to return to God, the LORD declares that they shall not return to Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be their king, and the sword will consume their cities and branches due to their own misguided counsels. The people are described as "bent to backsliding," unwilling to exalt the Most High. A dramatic theological pivot occurs as God expresses His deep emotional struggle, questioning how He can abandon Ephraim or make them like the utterly destroyed cities of Admah and Zeboim. His heart is turned within Him, and His "repentings are kindled together," revealing a profound divine compassion. He then declares that He will not execute the fierceness of His anger nor destroy Ephraim, asserting His identity as God and not man, the Holy One in their midst. This divine nature ensures that complete annihilation will not befall them. The chapter then looks to a future hope, prophesying that the children of Israel shall walk after the LORD, who will roar like a lion, causing them to tremble and return from the west, from Egypt, and from Assyria, to be placed in their houses. The chapter concludes by contrasting Ephraim, who surrounds God with lies and deceit, with Judah, who still rules with God and is faithful with the saints.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Parental LoveGod's initial relationship with Israel is depicted as a tender parent nurturing a child, calling them out of Egypt, teaching them to walk, and healing them, demonstrating profound care and affection (Hosea 11:1-4).
  • Israel's Persistent IdolatryDespite God's love, Israel consistently turned away to worship false gods like Baalim and graven images, illustrating their spiritual unfaithfulness and backsliding (Hosea 11:2, 7).
  • Consequences of DisobedienceAs a result of their rebellion and refusal to return, God declares that Assyria will become their king, and destruction by the sword will come upon their cities (Hosea 11:5-6).
  • Divine Compassion and RepentanceGod expresses a profound internal struggle and emotional turning, questioning how He can give up Israel, stating His heart is moved and His "repentings are kindled together," indicating a merciful reluctance to execute full wrath (Hosea 11:8-9).
  • God's Unique NatureThe LORD asserts His identity as "God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee," signifying that His divine nature prevents Him from acting with the fickle or destructive anger of humanity, ensuring a measure of mercy (Hosea 11:9).
  • Promise of Future RestorationDespite present judgment, God promises a future time when His people will walk after Him, returning from various lands of exile to be re-established in their houses (Hosea 11:10-11).
  • Ephraim's Deceit vs. Judah's FaithfulnessThe chapter contrasts Ephraim's current state of surrounding God with lies and deceit with Judah's relative faithfulness, ruling with God and being with the saints (Hosea 11:12).