Hosea 11 (NASB2020)

God Yearns over His People

1When Israel was a youth I loved him,

And out of Egypt I called My son.

2The more 11:2 I.e., God’s prophetsthey called them,

The more they went away from 11:2 I.e., God’s prophetsthem;

They kept sacrificing to the Baals

And burning incense to idols.

3Yet it is I who taught Ephraim to walk,

11:3 As in ancient versions; MT He...HisI took them in My arms;

But they did not know that I healed them.

4I pulled them along with cords of a man, with ropes of love,

And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws;

And I bent down and fed them.

5¶11:5 Lit HeThey will not return to the land of Egypt;

But Assyria—he will be 11:5 Lit histheir king

Because they refused to return to Me.

6And the sword will whirl against 11:6 Lit histheir cities,

And will destroy 11:6 Lit histheir oracle priests

And consume them, because of their counsels.

7So My people are determined to turn from Me.

Though 11:7 I.e., God’s prophetsthey call 11:7 Lit him; i.e., Israelthem to the One on high,

None at all exalts Him.

8¶How can I give you up, Ephraim?

How can I surrender you, Israel?

How can I 11:8 Lit givemake you like Admah?

How can I treat you like Zeboiim?

My heart is turned over within Me,

11:8 Lit TogetherAll My compassions are kindled.

9I will not carry out My fierce anger;

I will not destroy Ephraim again.

For I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst,

And I will not come in 11:9 Lit agitationwrath.

10They will walk after the Lord,

He will roar like a lion;

Indeed He will roar,

And His sons will come trembling from the west.

11They will come trembling like birds from Egypt,

And like doves from the land of Assyria;

And I will settle them in their houses, declares the Lord.

12¶11:12 Ch 12:1 in HebEphraim surrounds Me with lies

And the house of Israel with deceit;

11:12 Or But Judah still goes about with God, even withJudah is still unruly against God,

Even against the Holy One who is faithful.

Understand Hosea 11

Walk through Hosea 11 verse by verse, then read what three commentaries say about the chapter. The explanations are written for new readers.