Hosea 12 11

Hosea 12:11 kjv

Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

Hosea 12:11 nkjv

Though Gilead has idols? Surely they are vanity? Though they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal, Indeed their altars shall be heaps in the furrows of the field.

Hosea 12:11 niv

Is Gilead wicked? Its people are worthless! Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Their altars will be like piles of stones on a plowed field.

Hosea 12:11 esv

If there is iniquity in Gilead, they shall surely come to nothing: in Gilgal they sacrifice bulls; their altars also are like stone heaps on the furrows of the field.

Hosea 12:11 nlt

But the people of Gilead are worthless
because of their idol worship.
And in Gilgal, too, they sacrifice bulls;
their altars are lined up like the heaps of stone
along the edges of a plowed field.

Hosea 12 verses

Hosea 12 11 Meaning

This verse highlights the corrupt nature of the Israelites, who were involved in exploitative practices like using dishonest weights and measures. Despite their outward piety, their hearts were far from God, leading to their impending judgment.

Hosea 12 11 Context

Hosea 12 prophesies against the northern kingdom of Israel. The chapter recounts the history of Israel's unfaithfulness, starting from Jacob wrestling with God. It contrasts Jacob's struggle and eventual blessing with Israel's continued rebellion and reliance on human strength and deceitful practices. This verse serves as a specific accusation, detailing their economic injustice as a manifestation of their spiritual corruption and highlighting the impending judgment that will make them despised among nations.

Hosea 12 11 Word Analysis

• And (וְ – wə): A conjunction, linking clauses. Here, it connects the action of wrestling with God to the consequence of seeking the Lord.
• in (בְּ – bə): A preposition indicating location, manner, or means. Used here to describe the manner in which they sought the Lord.
• my (יִ — i): A possessive suffix, referring to "my power" or "my strength."
• strength (עֹז — ‘ōz): Denotes strength, power, might, vigor, firmness. Refers to the inherent divine power.
• as (כִּי — kî): A conjunction, meaning "for," "because," "that." Here, it introduces the reason for their seeking.
• as (אֶת — ’et): Used to denote possession or relation, often indicating "with."
• man (אִישׁ — ’îš): Refers to a man, husband, or any person. Here, it contrasts human strength with divine power.
• angels (מַלְאָכִים — mal’āḵîm): Messengers, angels. Though "angels" isn't explicitly in this verse, Hosea's use of theophany (God's manifestation) connects to angelic representation. The wrestling is with God himself in human form.
• and (וְ — wə): Conjunction.
• wept (בָּכָה — bāḵâ): To weep, cry, lament. Expresses deep sorrow and pleading.
• and (וַ — wa): Conjunction.
• entreated (יִתְחַנֵּן — yiṯḥanæn): To seek favor, implore, beg for grace.

Word-Group Analysis

• "by my strength… with man": This phrase captures the essence of Jacob's struggle at Peniel. He wrestled against a divine being who appeared as a man. Hosea uses this as a foundation for his argument, setting up a contrast.
• "He wrestled with the angel and prevailed": This recounts the event where Jacob wrestled with God in human form and ultimately prevailed, not by his own strength, but by God's allowing it as he clung to Him and received a blessing. This was a moment of reliance on God, however desperate.
• "He wept and sought His favor": This depicts Jacob's change from a struggle based on cunning and perhaps his own strength to one of supplication, tears, and earnestly seeking God's blessing and favor. This is a crucial turning point for Jacob, illustrating a brokenness and dependency that the current Israelites lack.
• "He found Him at Bethel, and there He spoke to us": This references another significant encounter Jacob had at Bethel, where God revealed Himself and made promises. Hosea points to this as a past encounter with God, suggesting a communal memory that Israel has failed to uphold in its present actions.
• "indeed, the LORD God of hosts, The LORD is His memorable name.": This powerfully declares the identity of the God with whom Jacob wrestled. He is Yahweh, the Lord of Armies, emphasizing His sovereignty and power, and also His covenantal name, implying a relationship and remembrance. Hosea stresses that this same powerful, covenantal God is the one they are neglecting and defying.

Hosea 12 11 Bonus Section

The contrast between Jacob's wrestling and Israel's fraudulent dealings highlights a profound spiritual principle: true strength and blessing come not from deception and self-reliance, but from humble reliance on God. Hosea emphasizes that the "LORD is His memorable name," pointing to the covenantal God of Israel, whose promises and power are eternally remembered and accessible to those who seek Him in truth. Israel's perverted economic practices reflect a corrupted worship, where their focus was on profit rather than purity of heart and righteousness. This is a timeless warning against the integration of sin into daily life, particularly in matters of commerce and social interaction, as it fundamentally severs fellowship with a holy God. The prophecy suggests that by practicing such injustice, they have become "small among the nations," experiencing the very "great despised" they deserve, a stark reversal from the nation God intended them to be.

Hosea 12 11 Commentary

Hosea uses the encounter of Jacob with God at Peniel (Gen 32:24-30) to powerfully illustrate Israel's current spiritual state. Jacob, described as striving with God, weeping, and imploring divine favor, is contrasted with the Israelites' deceitful business practices. They are exploiting others through dishonest scales, a metaphor for their deeper perversion of justice and reliance on their own cunning rather than seeking the true strength and favor of the LORD God of Hosts. Jacob's struggle, though involving physical effort, culminated in humble dependence and receipt of a divine blessing and name change, signifying a transformed life. In contrast, Israel's efforts were focused on material gain through sin, leading not to blessing but to judgment and disgrace. The "LORD God of Hosts" (Yahweh Elohei-Tzebaoth) is invoked as the God of immense power and authority, the very one Israel has forgotten and angered through their injustice. Their history with God, from Jacob's encounters to their covenant at Sinai, is a testament to God’s enduring faithfulness and power, a power they now contemptuously ignore for their own selfish gain. Their smallness and despised state are the direct consequences of turning away from the true God and embracing practices that deny His holy character.