Hosea 12 — Overview

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible · Matthew Henry (1662–1714) · Public Domain

In this chapter we have, I. A high charge drawn up against both Israel and Judah for their sins, which were the ground of God's controversy with them, ver. 1, 2. Particularly the sin of fraud and injustice, which Ephraim is charged with (ver. 7), and justifies himself in, ver. 8. And the sin of idolatry (ver. 11), by which God is provoked to contend with them, ver. 14. II. The aggravations of the sins they are charged with, taken from the honour God put upon their father Jacob (ver. 3-5), the advancement of them into a people from low and mean beginnings (ver. 12, 13), and the provision he had made them of helps for their souls by the prophets he sent them, ver. 10. III. A call to the unconverted to turn to God, ver. 6. IV. An intimation of mercy that God had in store for them, ver. 9.

The Crimes of Israel and Judah; Expostulations with Israel. (b. c. 723.)

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Hosea 12 — OverviewHosea 12 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeHosea 12:1, A reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob; Hosea 12:3, By former favours he exhorts to repentance; Hosea 12:7, Ephraim’s sins provoke God.Hosea 12 — OverviewHosea 12 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis chapter contains complaints and charges both against Israel and Judah, and threatens them with punishment in case they repent not, which they are exhorted to: and first Ephraim is charged with idolatry, vain…Hosea 12:1-6Hosea 12:1-6 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleIn these verses, I. Ephraim is convicted of folly, in staying himself upon Egypt and Assyria, when he was in straits (v. 1): Ephraim feeds on wind, that is, feeds himself with vain hopes of assistance from man,…Hosea 12:1Hosea 12:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryEphraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind. "Wind" is employed figuratively to denote what is empty and vain, of no real worth or practical benefit. 1. To feed on wind is to take pleasure in or draw…Hosea 12:1Hosea 12:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryFeeding on wind. The conduct of Ephraim is in many respects very instructive to all readers of Scripture. There is nothing in that conduct upon which Hosea lays greater stress than the extreme folly, unreasonableness,…Hosea 12:1Hosea 12:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryWorthless soul-food. "Ephraim feedeth on wind." Delitzsch renders this clause, "Ephraim grazeth wind." The idea is that it sought for support and satisfaction in those things that were utterly unsubstantial and…

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