Hosea 12:12 kjv
And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
Hosea 12:12 nkjv
Jacob fled to the country of Syria; Israel served for a spouse, And for a wife he tended sheep.
Hosea 12:12 niv
Jacob fled to the country of Aram; Israel served to get a wife, and to pay for her he tended sheep.
Hosea 12:12 esv
Jacob fled to the land of Aram; there Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he guarded sheep.
Hosea 12:12 nlt
Jacob fled to the land of Aram,
and there he earned a wife by tending sheep.
Hosea 12 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Hosea 12:12 | "But Jacob served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep." | Direct statement |
| Genesis 29:18-20 | "Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her." | Fulfillment/Detailed account |
| Genesis 29:21-27 | "Jacob said to Laban, 'Give me my wife, for my time is fulfilled...'" | Narrative of servitude |
| Genesis 30:25-31 | "When Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, 'Send me away...'" | Completion of servitude |
| Genesis 31:41 | "Thus I have been twenty years in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock..." | Jacob's testimony of service |
| Genesis 28:5 | "Thus Isaac sent Jacob away, and he went to Paddan-aram, to Laban the son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah..." | Context of journey/purpose |
| Genesis 29:30 | "He went in to Rachel also, and he loved Rachel more than Leah..." | Motivation for service |
| Deuteronomy 25:5 | "If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be taken outside to a stranger..." | Elofficial law of marriage |
| Ruth 1:14 | "But Ruth clung to her. And Naomi said, 'See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.'" | Parallel devotion in relationships |
| Song of Solomon 8:7 | "Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man gave for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly scorned." | Nature of sacrificial love |
| Proverbs 21:21 | "Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor." | Principles of pursuit |
| Malachi 3:6 | "For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." | God's faithfulness to Jacob's lineage |
| Jeremiah 10:24 | "Chasten me, O Lord, but in measure; do not in your anger slash me to pieces." | Acknowledging divine discipline |
| Isaiah 43:25 | "I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake and I will not remember your sins." | God's forgiveness for sin |
| Psalm 105:24 | "And he made his people very fruitful and made them stronger than their enemies." | God's blessing on Jacob's line |
| Genesis 32:24-28 | "And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day." | Jacob's personal wrestling with God |
| Romans 9:12 | "It was said to her, 'The older will serve the younger.'" | Prophetic declaration fulfilled |
| 1 Corinthians 6:12 | "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything." | Self-control in pursuits |
| Matthew 6:33 | "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." | Prioritizing God's kingdom |
| John 1:49 | "Nathanael answered him, 'Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!'" | Recognition of divine identity |
Hosea 12 verses
Hosea 12 12 Meaning
The verse declares that Jacob "served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep." This highlights the immense labor and dedication Jacob exhibited, not for wealth or power, but specifically for the attainment of a wife. This was a period of deep hardship and struggle for him, orchestrated by his uncle Laban. The phrase emphasizes that his servitude was entirely motivated by his desire for Rachel.
Hosea 12 12 Context
Hosea is speaking to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, specifically highlighting their spiritual infidelity by drawing a parallel with Jacob's life. Jacob, the patriarch of Israel, is presented as a model of servitude and devotion, contrasting sharply with the current disloyalty of the people to God. The verse serves to remind Israel of their ancestor's labor and God's faithfulness to him, implying that they, as his descendants, have abandoned this foundational devotion. This is part of Hosea's broader message about the covenant relationship between God and Israel, which Israel has broken through idolatry and immorality.
Hosea 12 12 Word Analysis
- וַיַּעֲבֹד֙ (vay'a'vod): "and he served." This Hebrew verb means to work, to serve, to till, or to labor. It carries connotations of both willing service and forced labor, depending on the context. Here, it emphasizes the prolonged, diligent work Jacob undertook.
- יַעֲקֹב (Ya'akov): "Jacob." The name itself signifies "heel-grabber" or "supplanter," reflecting his birth from his mother's heel and his subsequent trickery. However, the narrative shows a transformation, and in Hosea, it is his striving and labor for a wife that is emphasized, hinting at his commitment.
- בְּפָר לְאִשָּׁה (b'far l'ish'ah): "for a wife" (literally "for a sheep for a wife" - this reading might be an interpolation or textual variant from later understanding of sheep as bride price/dowry). Note: This is a crucial point where strict adherence to "word-by-word" might misinterpret the phrasing as "served sheep for a wife." However, the common understanding from Genesis is that he served seven years, and then another seven, for two wives (Leah and Rachel). The presence of "sheep" might relate to the context of him keeping sheep for Laban, or possibly as a commentary on the bride price in the form of livestock. The more direct reading emphasizes his labor for a wife.
- וּבְאִשָּׁה (uv'ish'ah): "and for a wife." This reiterates the singular focus of his servitude.
- שָׁמַר (shamar): "kept" or "guarded." This verb denotes protection, custody, and watchful care. It highlights the diligent and protective nature of Jacob's labor with Laban's flock.
- צֹאן (tson): "flock" or "sheep." This signifies the livestock that Jacob was responsible for tending.
Words Group Analysis:
- "served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep": This entire phrase encapsulates Jacob's entire purpose and activity during his time with Laban. It frames his arduous labor as directly tied to his marital aspirations, specifically for Rachel. It's a portrait of commitment through trial.
Hosea 12 12 Bonus Section
The mention of "sheep" in relation to Jacob's service for a wife may allude to the common practice of bride price or dowry, often paid in livestock. In Jacob's case, his actual payment was not cash but years of labor and tending sheep. This imagery connects his deep personal pursuit to broader cultural practices of marriage arrangement, emphasizing the tangible commitment he made. The fact that God blessed Jacob immensely despite his own human frailties, and then used him as a model for his people, speaks to God's sovereign grace and His ability to use flawed individuals to further His purposes. This highlights that God's focus is on the heart's devotion and willingness to strive, even amidst imperfections.
Hosea 12 12 Commentary
This verse uses Jacob's foundational life struggle as a lens to rebuke Israel. Jacob, despite his deceptions, exhibited a profound loyalty and perseverance in his quest for his beloved Rachel. He "served" fourteen years for his two wives and endured hardship. This unwavering commitment stands in stark contrast to Israel's superficial and ultimately faithless relationship with God. Their worship of idols and disregard for the covenant are seen as a betrayal far more grievous than any of Jacob's familial schemes. Hosea's message is clear: true devotion, like Jacob's labor for his wives, requires sustained effort and commitment, a quality Israel has utterly lacked in its relationship with the Lord. The verse subtly points to the "leap of faith" and dedication that true covenantal partnership demands, a partnership Israel has broken.