Hosea 12:7

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Hosea 12:7

(7) He is a merchant.—The vivid and fierce light of the prophet’s words is obscured in the English version. The rendering “he is a merchant” originates from the fact that Canaan (rendered “merchant”) is often used predominantly of Phœnicia, and Canaanites of Phœnicians, the great trading race (Isaiah 23:11; Job 40:30). Translate: As for Canaan, in his hand are false balances. He loves cheating. The descendants of Canaan (the son of Ham, the abhorred son of Noah) became in their whole career a... 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

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Hosea 12:1-14

CHAPTERS 11:12-12:14 The Indictment 1. Ephraim’s indictment (Hosea 11:12 ; Hosea 12:1-2 ) 2. Remembrance of the past (Hosea 12:3-6 ) 3. What Israel had become (Hosea 12:7-14 ) Chapter 11:12-12:2. Lying and deceit had been Ephraim’s course towards Jehovah; instead of trusting Him and following Him faithfully they had attached themselves to idols, while Judah still outwardly cleaved to Jehovah, though it was in a rambling way. The word translated “ruleth” means rambling. The better... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Hosea 12:7

12:7 [He is] {g} a merchant, the balances of deceit [are] in his hand: he loveth to oppress.(g) As for Ephraim, he is more like the wicked Canaanites than godly Abraham or Jacob. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Hosea 12:1-14

JEHOVAH ’S LOVE FOR ISRAEL With Hosea begins the “Minor” prophets, extending to the close of the Old Testament, and so-called to distinguish them from the “Major,” the first four already considered. The major are the more important not as to their contents but their size; and yet the minor prophets are, in principle, only repeating what the major prophets have recorded over and over again. For this reason the minor prophets will be considered briefly. It may be repeated that we are not... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Hosea 12:1-14

Divine Criticism Hosea 12:0 Some of these chapters seem to be wholly out of our reach. It is difficult to understand what relation we can sustain to them: are they historical, symbolical, typical, imaginative, real, poetical, dreams or facts? What difference is there between a fact and a dream? Coming to higher interpretations, and looking at wider issues, which is the fact? Probably we shall get at the meaning of this chapter best by trying to find in it a divine standpoint. It is God that... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Hosea 12:6-11

The Prophet here follows up the just and becoming resolution which ought to take place in every heart of Jacob's children, whether Ephraim or Judah, in pursuing the steps of their father. And he goes on in those verses to show the great folly, as well as sin, in not doing it. What a sad thing must it have been, that in the very place made memorable to the Father by the visions of God, and therefore by him called Bethel, the house of God; the children should make it Beth-aven, which signifies... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Hosea 12:7

Chanaan. The Ph'9cnicians were so called, and all merchants. Here the title is given reproachfully (Calmet) to all the posterity of Jacob. (Haydock) --- None more ignominious could be used, Daniel xiii. 56. Thus Rome is styled Babylon. read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 12:7-14

7-14 Ephraim became a merchant: the word also signifies a Canaanite. They carried on trade upon Canaanitish principles, covetously and with fraud and deceit. Thus they became rich, and falsely supposed that Providence favoured them. But shameful sins shall have shameful punishments. Let them remember, not only what a mighty prince Jacob was with God, but what a servant he was to Laban. The benefits we have had from the word of God, make our sin and folly the worse, if we put any slight upon... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Hosea 12:7-14

Another Serious Reproach v. 7. He is a merchant, rather, "Canaan," the name here applied to the northern kingdom, since, like a dishonest merchant, he sought greatness by deceit and oppression, the balances of deceit are in his hand; he loveth to oppress, so that the inhabitants practiced the very opposite of what was enjoined in the preceding verse. v. 8. And Ephraim said, in refusing to heed the Lord's admonitions through His prophets, Yet I am become rich, thus trying to excuse his... read more

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