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James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Hosea 12:4

"Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed; he wept and made supplication unto him: he found him at Bethel, and there he spake with us.""Yea, he had power over the angel ..."; Genesis 32:34 has, "There wrestled a man with him"; and some have tried to make a contradiction out of this; but that very passage makes the supernatural identity of the wrestler absolutely certain. The fact of his being introduced first as "a man" is exactly in harmony with the way angels were usually introduced in... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Hosea 12:4

Hosea 12:4. Yea, he had power over the angel, &c.— Concerning this translation, see the notes on Genesis 32:0. Houbigant reads the last clause of the verse, And there he spake with him: even Jehovah God of Hosts, Hosea 12:5.: therefore the angel with whom Jacob wrestled—the angel of the covenant—is Jehovah God of Hosts. He wept— He had wept. Of weeping, Archbishop Newcome says, "we read nothing in Genesis 32:0." Certainly we read nothing of Jacob's weeping upon the occasion of the wrestling... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Hosea 12:3

3. He—Jacob, contrasted with his degenerate descendants, called by his name, Jacob ( :-; compare Micah 2:7). He took Esau by the heel in the womb in order to obtain, if possible, the privileges of the first-born (Micah 2:7- :), whence he took his name, Jacob, meaning "supplanter"; and again, by his strength, prevailed in wrestling with God for a blessing (Genesis 32:24-29); whereas ye disregard My promises, putting your confidence in idols and foreign alliances. He conquered God, ye are the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Hosea 12:4

4. the angel—the uncreated Angel of the Covenant, as God the Son appears in the Old Testament (Malachi 3:1). made supplication— Malachi 3:1- :: "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." he found him—The angel found Jacob, when he was fleeing from Esau into Syria: the Lord appearing to him "in Beth-el" (Genesis 28:11-19; Genesis 35:1). What a sad contrast, that in this same Beth-el now Israel worships the golden calves! there he spake with us—"with us," as being in the loins of our... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hosea 12:3

The Lord described the ancestor of these kingdoms further. Jacob grasped his brother’s heel while he was still in the womb of his mother Rebekah (Genesis 25:26). This was a preview of the grasping character that marked him all his life (cf. Genesis 27:35-36). In later life he also continued to contend with God. These references to the early and later life of Jacob picture him as being a contentious person all his life. [Note: See Harper, p. 379; and Chisholm, "Hosea," p. 1404.] Other... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hosea 12:3-6

A lesson from Jacob’s life 12:3-6The Lord proceeded to teach His people the need to repent by reminding them of the experience of their forefather Jacob. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hosea 12:4

One important instance of Jacob contending with God was when he wrestled with the angel at Peniel and prevailed over him by weeping and pleading with him to bless him (Genesis 32:22-32). This event was a turning point in Jacob’s life because he finally realized that he could not succeed simply by manipulation and trickery. He recognized His need for God’s help and turned to Him in desperation. It was the occasion of Jacob’s repentance. God had prepared Jacob for this event by allowing him to... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 12:1-14

A Reproof of Commercial DishonestyThe Hebrew text divides the chapter more correctly at this v. The prophet returns to the subject of the unfaithfulness both of Israel and of Judah. They have sought help where it was not to be found, and neglected God, the only source of help, in forgetfulness of the example of their ancestor Jacob.12. Judah.. saints] RM better, 'and Judah is yet unstedfast with God, and with the Holy One who is faithful.'Hosea 12:1. Ephraim.. east wind] an attack on Israel's... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Hosea 12:3-4

(3, 4) Had power.—Should be, strove. Prayers and tears were the weapons used in the memorable struggle for pardon, reconciliation, peace in the self-conquest as well as the God-conquest which was achieved. “At Bethel He (Jehovah) found him (Jacob)” not once only, but on repeated occasions (Genesis 28:11; Genesis 35:1),and in the subsequent history of the children of Israel. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Hosea 12:1-14

1. THE PEOPLE AND THEIR FATHER JACOBHosea 12:1-14In no part even of the difficult Book of Hosea does the sacred text bristle with more problems. It may well be doubted whether the verses lie in their proper order, or, if they do, whether we have them entire as they came from the prophet, for the connection is not always perceptible. We cannot believe, however, that the chapter is a bundle of isolated oracles, for the analogy between Jacob and his living posterity runs through the whole of it,... read more

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