Bible CommentariesE.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible NotesHosea 12
Verse 1
feedeth on wind. Compare Hosea 8:7. wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9. followeth after = pursueth. daily = all the day long desolation = violence. make a covenant, &c. Compare Hosea 5:13; Hosea 7:11. oil is carried, &c. As a present, to obtain favour and help. Compare Hosea 5:13. Isaiah 30:2-7; Isaiah 57:9. See 2 Kings 17:4.
Verse 2
The LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4. punish = visit upon. Jacob. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for Israel, especially the natural seed. according. Some codices, with two early printed editions (one Rabbinic, margin), Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and according". recompense = requite, or repay.
Verse 3
He took his brother. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 25:26). took . . . by the heel. Hebrew. "akab. Hence his name Jacob. his brother = his very own brother (with "eth). by his strength = in his manhood: i.e. another example, later in life, but of a similar nature. had power with = contended with (Oxford Gesenius, p. 40). Hebrew Sarah. (Hence his name Israel). The event is referred to only here, and Genesis 32:28. See note there. God. Hebrew. Elohim.(with "eth) = God Himself. App-4.
Verse 4
the Angel. Defined in Hosea 12:5. prevailed = He (the Angel) overcame him (Jacob). See notes on Genesis 32:28. Hence the change of Jacob"s name to "Israel" = God commands. he wept: i.e. Jacob. This is the Figure of speech Hysteresis (App-6), by which former histories are supplemented by later Divine inspiration. He found him: i.e. God found Jacob in Beth-el. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 28:17, Genesis 28:19). Note the implied contrast, Beth-el being now the seat of idolatry. He spake = Jehovah spake. See next verse. with us. Aquila, Symmachus, Theodotion, and Syriac read "with him".
Verse 5
Even, &c. Render: "and Jehovah [is] God (Elohim) of the Hosts; Jehovah [is] His memorial [Name]. "This is for strong confirmation. memorial. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 3:15). App-92.
Verse 6
Therefore, &c. Compare Hosea 14:1. mercy = lovingkindness, or grace. wait on thy God = wait for thy God. Ref to Pentateuch (Genesis 49:18). Compare Psalms 37:7. Isaiah 25:9; Isaiah 26:8; Isaiah 33:2. Mark 15:43. Luke 2:25; Luke 23:51.
Verse 7
He is a merchant. Supply the Ellipsis (App-6): [He, Ephraim, is] a merchant. This is the first of two provocations. See the Structure above; and Compare Hosea 12:14. the balances of deceit = unjust balances. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 19:36). he loveth to oppress. Money was obtained by oppression. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 6:2; Leviticus 19:13). App-92. oppress = defraud.
Verse 8
labours = toils. iniquity = perversity. Hebrew. "avah. App-44. Not the same word as in Hosea 12:11. that were = which [is].
Verse 9
And I, &c. These verses (9, 10) correspond with Hosea 12:14, and give the cause of the provocation. There is an evident Ellipsis, which may be thus supplied: "And [thou forgettest that] I, Jehovah thy Elohim from the land of Egypt, [that I have promised that] I will yet make thee to dwell in tents as in the Feast of Tabernacles". dwell in tabernacles. This is again promised in Zechariah 14:16. tabernacles. Since the days of Nehemiah 8:17, the feast is called "ohalim (App-40.), as here, instead of sukkoth, booths. Nehemiah"s remark is superfluous unless the laws were ancient. as in the days, &c. Ref to Pentateuch (Leviticus 23:42, Leviticus 23:43). App-92.
Verse 11
Is there iniquity = [Surely Gilead is] iniquity: supplying the Ellipsis (App-6) from the next clause. iniquity. Hebrew. "avert. App-44. Not the same word as Hosea 12:8. Gilead . . . Gilgal . . . heaps. Heap of testimony . . . heap of heaps . . . heaps. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6). Hebrew. Gil"ad . . . Gilgal . . gallim.
Verse 12
fled . . . Syria. Ref to Pentateuch (Genesis 28:5. Deuteronomy 26:5). App-92. Syria. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 26:5). Israel served, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 29:18). kept sheep. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 30:31, the same Hebrew word, shamar). We may supply the connecting thought: "[yet in after days] Israel was brought out of Egypt . . . and preserved [in the wilderness]".
Verse 13
by a prophet: i.e. Moses. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 12:50, Exodus 12:51; Exodus 13:3. Numbers 12:6-8. App-92. Compare Deuteronomy 18:15). preserved = kept, as in Hosea 12:12.
Verse 14
Ephrairn. As represented by Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:25, 1 Kings 13:5), and Hoshea (2 Kings 17:11-23). He = God. blood. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6, for blood-guiltiness. his reproach. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:37). LORD. Hebrew. "Adonim. App-4.
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