God's Compassion for Israel
Hosea 11:1-11
Hos.11.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- נער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואהבהו: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- וממצרים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,prop,pl,abs
- קראתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לבני: PREP
Parallels
- Exodus 4:22-23 (verbal): Moses is instructed to tell Pharaoh, 'Israel is my firstborn son'—the same son-language and the context of God claiming Israel, linking to the 'called out of Egypt' motif.
- Matthew 2:15 (quotation): The Gospel explicitly cites Hosea 11:1 ('Out of Egypt I called my son') to interpret Jesus' return from Egypt as fulfillment of this saying.
- Jeremiah 31:20 (verbal): God asks rhetorically, 'Is Ephraim my dear son?'—echoing Hosea's depiction of Israel/Ephraim as God's beloved child and reflecting the same familial concern.
- Isaiah 43:1 (thematic): God declares he has redeemed and called his people and says 'you are mine,' thematically paralleling Hosea's emphasis on God's love and divine calling of Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Israel was a child I loved him; out of Egypt I called my son.
- When Israel was a child I loved him, and from Egypt I called my son.
Hos.11.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- קראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כן: ADV
- הלכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מפניהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- לבעלים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יזבחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ולפסלים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יקטרון: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Judges 2:11-13 (thematic): Israel 'forsook the LORD and served Baalim'—same theme of turning away from Yahweh to sacrifice to Baal and idols.
- 1 Kings 18:21 (thematic): Elijah’s challenge about wavering between the LORD and Baal echoes Hosea’s indictment of Israel abandoning God for Baal worship.
- Psalm 106:36-38 (verbal): Describes the people serving idols and offering sacrifices (including children) to them—parallels Hosea’s charge of sacrificing to Baal and burning incense to idols.
- Amos 5:25-27 (allusion): Israel's replacement of the LORD with foreign deities (Sikkuth, Kaiwan) reflects the same repudiation of Yahweh for other gods as in Hosea 11:2.
- Ezekiel 16:20-21 (thematic): Condemns Israel’s offering of children and sacrifices to foreign gods—another prophetic denunciation of idolatrous sacrifices like Hosea’s.
Alternative generated candidates
- They called to him, and he went from them; they sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to the idols.
- They called to them, and they went away from him; they sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to idols.
Hos.11.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואנכי: PRON,1,sg
- תרגלתי: VERB,piel,perf,1,_,sg
- לאפרים: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,pl,abs
- קחם: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg+3,pl(obj)
- על: PREP
- זרועתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- ידעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- כי: CONJ
- רפאתים: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 40:11 (verbal): Shepherd/parental imagery: 'He gathers the lambs in his arms, and carries them in his bosom' closely parallels Hosea's 'I took them on my arms' and nurturing language.
- Deuteronomy 1:31 (verbal): Parental carrying image: 'He bore you... as a man carries his son,' echoing Hosea's depiction of God carrying and guiding Israel.
- Deuteronomy 32:11 (verbal): Eagle imagery: 'He found him in a desert land... as an eagle stirreth up her nest... he bare him on his wings,' a similar metaphor of God lifting and carrying Israel.
- Exodus 19:4 (verbal): Divine deliverance imagery: 'I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself,' paralleling the theme of God carrying and leading the people.
- Isaiah 63:9 (thematic): Compassionate divine care: God's personal presence in Israel's suffering and his lifting/bringing them back ('in his love and pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up'), resonating with Hosea's healing and carrying motif.
Alternative generated candidates
- I taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up in my arms. Yet they did not know that I healed them.
- I taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up in my arms, yet they did not know that I healed them.
Hos.11.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- בחבלי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמשכם: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg+OBJ,3,m,pl
- בעבתות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cons
- אהבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ואהיה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כמרימי: PREP+VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- על: PREP
- לחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ואט: VERB,qal,impf,1,ms,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- אוכיל: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 23:1-3 (thematic): God as a caring shepherd who leads, restores, and feeds his people—parallel imagery of tender guidance and provision.
- Ezekiel 34:11-16 (thematic): Yahweh portrayed as seeking, gathering, binding the injured and feeding the flock—echoes Hosea’s pastoral language of leading and feeding.
- Isaiah 40:11 (thematic): The Lord ‘tends his flock, gathers the lambs in his arms’—similar image of bending down to feed and care for the people.
- Matthew 11:28-30 (allusion): Jesus’ invitation to take his yoke because it is easy echoes Hosea’s depiction of God easing the yoke—New Testament appropriation of compassionate guidance.
- Jeremiah 31:9 (thematic): Yahweh leading and bringing back his people with compassion (leading beside waters, guiding them)—corresponds to Hosea’s picture of gentle, restorative leadership.
Alternative generated candidates
- With cords of human kindness I drew them, with bands of love; I became to them as one who lifts them to his cheek—I bent down and fed them.
- With cords of human kindness I drew them, with bands of love; I became to them as one who eases the yoke at the jaw, and I bent down to feed them.
Hos.11.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- ישוב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ואשור: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- מלכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- מאנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לשוב: INF,qal
Parallels
- Hosea 11:1 (verbal): Both verses center on Egypt imagery—11:1 ('Out of Egypt I called my son') is the earlier motif that 11:5 reverses/echoes by stating Israel will not return to Egypt.
- 2 Kings 17:6 (structural): Historical fulfillment: the norther kingdom is taken away by the Assyrians, matching the prophetic assertion that Assyria would rule over Israel.
- Isaiah 10:5-7 (thematic): Assyria portrayed as God's instrument of judgment and as a dominant power set over nations, paralleling the idea that Assyria will be 'their king'.
- Amos 5:27 (thematic): Announces exile of Israel into foreign dominion ('beyond Damascus'), echoing the theme of removal from the land and subjection to foreign rule in Hosea 11:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- They shall not return to the land of Egypt; Assyria shall be their king, because they refused to return.
- They will not return to the land of Egypt; Assyria shall be their king, for they refused to return.
Hos.11.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וחלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בעריו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- וכלתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בדיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON:3ms
- ואכלה: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- ממעצותיהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cstr+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 32:41 (verbal): God speaks of sharpening a flashing sword and taking vengeance — parallels Hosea’s image of a sword kindled in the cities as divine punitive action.
- Leviticus 26:25 (thematic): God threatens to 'bring a sword' upon the people and punish them in their cities as covenantal retribution, echoing Hosea’s motif of urban destruction for Israel’s unfaithfulness.
- Ezekiel 21:3 (verbal): The Lord declares he will 'draw forth my sword out of its sheath' against the land — similar language of God deploying a sword against cities as an instrument of judgment.
- Isaiah 10:5–6 (thematic): God announces Assyria as the rod of his anger to punish nations, a related theme of a divinely‑wielded military force that 'devours' because of the people's wrongdoing.
- Hosea 5:14 (structural): Within Hosea the prophet likewise depicts Yahweh’s severe action against Ephraim (lion/sudden removal), connecting the book’s broader pattern of violent divine judgment on cities/people for their plots and sins.
Alternative generated candidates
- The sword shall rage in their cities; it shall consume their bars and waste their advice; it shall devour because of their schemes.
- The sword shall flash in his cities; it shall consume their strongholds and devour their counsels.
Hos.11.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ועמי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss1s
- תלואים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- למשובתי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,1cs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- על: PREP
- יקראהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+obj3ms
- יחד: ADV
- לא: PART_NEG
- ירומם: VERB,hiphil,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 1:15 (verbal): Speaks of people praying while God refuses to listen ('When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes... I will not listen'), paralleling Hosea's image of calling the Most High yet not being exalted/answered.
- Jeremiah 11:14 (verbal): God tells Jeremiah not to pray for the people because 'I will not listen when they call to me,' closely matching Hosea's statement that calls to the Most High will not be answered.
- Jeremiah 14:11-12 (thematic): God rejects intercession for the nation and declares their cries will not be accepted because of persistent sin—same theme of futile calling in Hosea 11:7.
- Jeremiah 15:1 (thematic): Even if great intercessors stood before God, He declares He would not be favorable to the people—echoes Hosea's assertion that the people's calls will not cause God to raise or exalt them.
- Zechariah 7:13 (verbal): Contains the striking phrasing 'when they called, I would not answer; when they cried, I would not listen,' directly paralleling Hosea's depiction of unanswered calls to the Most High.
Alternative generated candidates
- My people are bent on turning away from me; though they cry out to the Most High, he will not lift them up.
- My people are bent on turning from me; though they call to the Most High, none will exalt him.
Hos.11.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- איך: ADV
- אתנך: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg+PRON,2,m
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמגנך: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איך: ADV
- אתנך: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg+PRON,2,m
- כאדמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשימך: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg,obj:2,m,sg
- כצבאים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נהפך: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לבי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- יחד: ADV
- נכמרו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- נחומי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Hosea 11:1-4 (structural): Immediate context: verses 1–4 portray God's past love and nursing of Israel as a child; 11:8 is the emotional climax of that narrative, weighing judgment against compassion.
- Jeremiah 31:20 (verbal): Jeremiah echoes the same image of Ephraim/Israel as a beloved child and asks rhetorically about God's willingness to abandon him, reflecting the same tenderness and internal conflict found in Hosea 11:8.
- Matthew 23:37 (thematic): Jesus laments over Jerusalem with language of wanting to gather and protect its children and grieving at their refusal—a New Testament parallel to Hosea's lamenting, compassionate tone toward a wayward people facing judgment.
- Psalm 78:38 (thematic): This psalm emphasizes God's compassion and forgiveness toward Israel despite their rebellion—balancing divine justice and mercy in a way that parallels Hosea's reluctant refusal to utterly destroy Israel.
- Isaiah 63:9 (thematic): Isaiah speaks of the LORD being afflicted in all their affliction and showing mercy to his servants, an image of divine sympathy that resonates with the tender, inward distress expressed in Hosea 11:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me, my compassion is stirred, my mercies are kindled all at once.
- How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? Make you like Zeboiim? My heart turns within me; all my compassion is kindled.
Hos.11.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- אעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- חרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אפי: NOUN,m,sg,poss1s
- לא: PART_NEG
- אשוב: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- לשחת: VERB,qal,inf
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- אל: NEG
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקרבך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,prs:2ms
- קדוש: ADJ,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- אבוא: VERB,qal,impf,1,NA,sg
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 23:19 (verbal): The exact phrase 'God is not a man' (El lo ish) appears here; both verses use this verbal formula to distinguish divine will/character from human ways.
- 1 Samuel 15:29 (verbal): Uses the same motif ('he is not a man') to assert God's unchanging, sovereign character—paralleling Hosea's claim about God's identity and restraint.
- Psalm 103:8-9 (thematic): Speaks of Yahweh as merciful, slow to anger and not keeping his anger forever—echoing Hosea's refusal to execute full wrath against Ephraim.
- Jonah 4:2 (thematic): Jonah cites God's compassion, mercy and willingness to relent from disaster—closely paralleling Hosea's decision not to destroy despite provocation.
- Exodus 34:6-7 (thematic): Declaration of God's mercy and steadfast love balanced with justice; provides the broader theological context for Hosea's choice to withhold final destruction.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will not execute the fierceness of my anger; I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God and not a man—the Holy One in your midst—and I will not come into the city in wrath.
- I will not carry out the fierceness of my anger; I will not return to destroy Ephraim—for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst; I will not come into the city in wrath.
Hos.11.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אחרי: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ילכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כאריה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישאג: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ישאג: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- ויחרדו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Amos 3:8 (verbal): Uses the lion's roar image—'The lion has roared—who will not fear?'—paralleling Yahweh's roaring that provokes fear/trembling.
- Joel 3:16 (verbal): 'The LORD roars from Zion'—a near-verbal parallel depicting the LORD's roar with cosmic/tribal impact like Hosea's roar causing trembling.
- Amos 1:2 (verbal): 'The LORD roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem'—another prophetic passage using Yahweh's roar to announce judgement, echoing Hosea's language.
- Isaiah 31:4 (thematic): Compares the LORD to a roaring lion over his prey—similar lion imagery portraying divine might and the resulting fear among people.
Alternative generated candidates
- They shall follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion—when he roars, his sons shall tremble from the west.
- They shall go after the LORD; he will roar like a lion—when he roars, his young shall tremble; from the west they shall come.
Hos.11.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- יחרדו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כצפור: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ממצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וכיונה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשור: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- והושבתים: CONJ+VERB,hiphil,impf,1,sg
- על: PREP
- בתיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Hos.11.1 (structural): Same chapter and motif—both verses invoke Israel's movement 'out of Egypt' (child called out of Egypt), providing the context for God’s gathering and deliverance language.
- Zech.10.10 (verbal): Speaks of bringing people back 'from the land of Egypt' and gathering 'from Assyria,' closely paralleling the pair of regions and the theme of return in Hosea 11:11.
- Isa.11.11 (thematic): Describes the LORD’s second act of regathering his remnant from nations (including Assyria/Egypt in the prophetic imagination), echoing Hosea’s theme of divine restoration.
- Isa.31.5 (thematic): Uses bird imagery for God’s protection and movement ('like birds hovering'), paralleling Hosea’s similes of a bird and a dove to depict God’s care and the fearful flight of nations.
- Matt.2.15 (quotation): New Testament citation of Hosea 11:1 ('Out of Egypt I called my son'); connected by the shared 'out of Egypt' motif and later interpretive use of Hosea’s language about movement from Egypt.
Alternative generated candidates
- They shall tremble like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria; and I will restore them to their homes, declares the LORD.
- They shall tremble like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will restore them to their homes, declares the LORD.
When Israel was a child I loved him; from Egypt I called my son.
When I called they went away; to the Baals they sacrificed and to idols they burned incense.
I taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up in my arms. Yet they did not know that I healed them.
With cords of a man I drew them, with bands of love; I was to them as one who lifts a yoke from their jaws—I bent down and fed them.
They shall not return to the land of Egypt; Assyria shall be their king, for they refused to return.
The sword shall rage in their cities; it shall consume their strongholds and devour because of their counsels.
My people are bent on turning away from me; though they call to the Most High, none of them will exalt him.
How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me, my compassion is kindled all at once.
I will not execute the fierceness of my anger; I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God and not man— the Holy One is in your midst; I will not come in wrath.
They shall go after the LORD. He will roar like a lion; when he roars, his young shall come trembling from the west.
They shall tremble like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will restore them to their homes, declares the LORD.