Hosea 11:12-13:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hosea 11:8-12

In these verses we have, I. God's wonderful backwardness to destroy Israel (Hos. 11:8, 9): How shall I give thee up? Here observe, 1. God's gracious debate within himself concerning Israel's case, a debate between justice and mercy, in which victory plainly inclines to mercy's side. Be astonished, O heavens! at this, and wonder, O earth! at the glory of God's goodness. Not that there are any such struggles in God as there are in us, or that he is ever fluctuating or unresolved; no, he is in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hosea 11:12

Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit ,.... Here properly we should begin a new chapter, as many interpreters and commentators do; for the prophet, or the Lord by him, in Hosea 11:11 , having finished his predictions concerning the call and conversion of the Israelites, and their return to their land, here begins a new discourse, by comparing the characters of Ephraim and Judah, and thence descends to the sins and punishment of both. The former, namely,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 11:12

Ephraim compasseth me about with lies - I think this verse does not well unite with the above; it belongs to another subject, and should begin the following chapter, as in the Hebrew. Judah yet ruleth with God - There is an allusion here to Genesis 32:24 , where Jacob having "wrestled with the Angel," had his name changed to Israel, one that rules with God. That glory the Israelites had lost by their idolatry; but Judah still retained the true worship, and alone deserved the name of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 11:12

Verse 12 I shall not stay now to recite the opinions of others; nor does it seem necessary. I might have indeed referred in the last verse to what some say respecting the roaring of God, — that his voice will roar through the Gospel: but as this and the like are refinements of which I think the Prophet never thought, it is enough to understand the simple meaning of the Prophet, and not to accumulate the sentiments of others. I indeed know that this makes a great display, and there are some who... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 11:5-12

The ingratitude of Israel and its punishment. Both are remarkably manifested in these verses. After all God's loving-kindness they refuse to turn to God. I. THEIR PERVERSENESS . History repeats itself. This is true ecclesiastically as well as civilly, under the Jewish economy as in the Christian dispensation. Once before, at an early period in Hebrew history and on a remarkable occasion, the Israelites, discouraged by the teachings of the spies, debased by previous servitude,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 11:12

Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: hut Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints. The first clause sets forth the faithlessness and insincerity of Israel, and that in contrast with Judah. Thus understood, the verse properly belongs to the present chapter. But others understand the last clause differently, and deny the contrast, viz. "Judah is yet defiant towards God and towards the All-Holy One, who is faithful." HOMILETICS read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 11:12

(See next chapter)—C.J. HOMILIES BY A. ROWLAND Hosea 11:3 (first clause) The tenderness of Divine discipline. Amidst Hosea's strong denunciations of sin, such a description as this of Divine tenderness to wayward men is sweet as a song amidst a storm. Both sternness and sweetness must of necessity appear before us in order to give a true apprehension of the method of God's dealing with human souls. That method is as varied as are the works of the same God in nature, where every... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 11:12

The lies of a people. "Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit." The Almighty here represents himself as a man beset with lies on every hand, as if he could not move either one way or the other. Let us notice— I. THE NATURE OF THE LIES OF A NATION . Lies are as abundant in England today as they were in Ephraim centuries ago. The social atmosphere is infested with falsehoods. 1. There are commercial lies. From the largest warehouse to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 11:12

(See next chapter)—J.O. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hosea 11:12

Ephraim compasseth Me about with lies - Having spoken of future repentance, conversion, restoration, he turns back to those around him, and declares why they can have no share in that restoration. Nothing about them was true. If ever they approached God, it was “with lies.” : “God, being infinite, cannot really be “compassed about.” The prophet so speaks, to describe the “great multitude of those who thus lied to God, and the multitude and manifoldness of their lies. Wherever God looked, in all... read more

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