Hosea 13 12

Hosea 13:12 kjv

The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.

Hosea 13:12 nkjv

"The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; His sin is stored up.

Hosea 13:12 niv

The guilt of Ephraim is stored up, his sins are kept on record.

Hosea 13:12 esv

The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is kept in store.

Hosea 13:12 nlt

"Ephraim's guilt has been collected,
and his sin has been stored up for punishment.

Hosea 13 verses

Hosea 13 12 Meaning

The iniquity of Ephraim is stored up; their sin is preserved. The pains of childbearing are upon him; he is an unwiseman, for he does not come at the right time.

Hosea 13 12 Context

This verse is part of the prophet Hosea's final message to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Hosea had been prophesying for decades, detailing Israel's persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness to God. The chapter emphasizes God's righteous judgment upon them for their sins, highlighting the severe consequences of their spiritual harlotry. Earlier in Hosea, Israel is repeatedly compared to an unfaithful wife, and their straying from God is depicted as adultery. This verse specifically addresses the inevitable culmination of their persistent sin. The prophecy speaks to a people who have repeatedly rejected God's guidance and warnings.

Hosea 13 12 Word Analysis

• The iniquity of Ephraim: Refers to the collective sin and moral corruption of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (whose dominant tribe was Ephraim).
  • Iniquity (Hebrew: avon - עָוֹן): Denotes perversity, depravity, guilt, and the punishment due for sin. It signifies a bentness toward evil and wrongdoing.
• is stored up:
  • Stored up (Hebrew: tsaphun - צָפוּן): Implies accumulation, being hidden away, or preserved. This suggests that their sins are not forgotten by God but are being held against them, accumulating divine displeasure.
• their sin: Refers to the specific acts of transgression and disobedience.
  • Sin (Hebrew: chatta'th - חַטָּאת): Can refer to sin itself, the offense, or the sin offering. Here it points to the offense and its inherent impurity.
• is preserved:
  • Preserved (Hebrew: tsalach - צָלָח): Carries the sense of being sealed or marked. It signifies that their sins are kept on record, not lost or overlooked.
• The pains of childbearing:
  • Pains of childbearing (Hebrew: chuwl - חוּל): The verb chuwl means to twist, to writhe in pain, or to give birth. It is used here metaphorically to describe the agonizing suffering that Israel is about to experience due to its impending judgment. This imagery evokes the distress and helplessness of labor.
• are upon him: Indicates that this suffering will be inflicted directly upon them.
• he is an unwiseman:
  • Unwiseman (Hebrew: lo' bi - לֹא בִּי): This is a compound phrase, literally meaning "not come," but in context, it refers to a lack of understanding or wisdom. It implies foolishness and imprudent action.
• for he does not come:
  • Does not come (Hebrew: yabo' - יָבוֹא): To come, enter, or arrive.
• at the right time:
  • At the right time (Hebrew: be'et - בְּעֵת): Refers to the opportune moment, the proper season, or the appointed time. Their "coming" (or rather, their lack of wise response) is ill-timed, indicating a failure to repent or turn back when God offered a window of opportunity.

Word-Group Analysis:The phrase "iniquity is stored up" and "sin is preserved" together emphasizes God's perfect knowledge and memory of Israel's transgressions. God sees all their acts of rebellion, and these are not merely forgotten but accounted for. The imagery of "pains of childbearing" vividly portrays the inevitable and excruciating consequences of prolonged sin, mirroring the pain of giving birth, but a birth leading to destruction. The final clause, "he is an unwiseman, for he does not come at the right time," highlights their utter foolishness in failing to recognize and respond to God's call for repentance during the moments He allowed, ultimately leading to their downfall. Their inability to come (turn back, repent) at the appointed time seals their doom.

Hosea 13 12 Bonus Section

The concept of sin being "stored up" or "preserved" by God highlights His omniscience and His perfect memory of human actions. It's not that God delights in punishing, but that His justice demands that sin be addressed. This verse serves as a powerful warning against procrastination in repentance. Delaying a return to God, especially when faced with His judgments or His call, is portrayed as profound foolishness, leading to suffering that could have been averted. The "right time" implies God's sovereign appointments and moments of grace for turning back, which Israel ultimately failed to seize. The persistent sin and subsequent judgment described here are foundational to understanding the dispensational dealings of God with Israel and, by extension, His expectations for all His people.

Hosea 13 12 Commentary

This verse paints a stark picture of divine judgment resulting from persistent sin. Ephraim's iniquities are not transient mistakes but accumulated transgressions meticulously kept by God. This implies a thorough accounting of their rebellion. The metaphor of childbirth pains signifies that the coming judgment will be intensely agonizing and unavoidable. Israel's unwiseman nature is evident in their failure to heed God's timing for repentance. They are likened to someone attempting a crucial task at the wrong moment, ensuring failure. Their spiritual blindness prevents them from recognizing God's opportunities for salvation or intervention, leading them into irreversible destruction. God’s justice ensures that sin is accounted for, and His timing, while patient, eventually leads to consequences for those who persistently disregard Him.