Hosea 8 12

Hosea 8:12 kjv

I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.

Hosea 8:12 nkjv

I have written for him the great things of My law, But they were considered a strange thing.

Hosea 8:12 niv

I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something foreign.

Hosea 8:12 esv

Were I to write for him my laws by the ten thousands, they would be regarded as a strange thing.

Hosea 8:12 nlt

Even though I gave them all my laws,
they act as if those laws don't apply to them.

Hosea 8 verses

Hosea 8 12 Meaning

This verse highlights the danger of relying on false or empty promises, contrasting the genuine laws of God with human pronouncements that lead people astray. It emphasizes that those who adhere to these hollow teachings will ultimately be consumed by their own deceit.

Hosea 8 12 Context

This verse appears in Hosea's prophecy to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which had fallen into deep apostasy and idolatry. Following years of spiritual unfaithfulness and reliance on pagan practices, Israel had placed its trust in alliances with surrounding nations and the strength of their own religious rituals. Hosea consistently called Israel back to covenant faithfulness with Yahweh, their true God, highlighting the futility and danger of their misguided trust. Chapter 8, in particular, is a strong condemnation of Israel's idolatry, their reliance on human power and foreign treaties, and the corruption of their religious practices. The verse directly addresses the hollow pronouncements and false teachings that have replaced God's law, leading the nation towards inevitable destruction.

Hosea 8 12 Word Analysis

• "I have written for him":

  • "I": Refers to Yahweh, the LORD.
  • "written": The Hebrew word is "katovti" (כתבתי). It signifies inscribed or recorded, implying a formal and authoritative declaration. God's laws and pronouncements are established.
  • "for him": Refers to Israel. God's revelation is directed towards them.

• "the great things of my law":

  • "great things": The Hebrew is "gadoloth" (גדלת), meaning "great" or "magnificent." These are the profound truths and commandments of God.
  • "my law": The Hebrew is "Torah" (תורת). While often translated as "law," it encompasses a broader sense of instruction, teaching, guidance, and revelation. This refers to God's covenant stipulations and His will.

• "but he counts them as a foreign thing":

  • "counts": The Hebrew verb "cholal" (חלל) here can imply to count as common, insignificant, or profane. It conveys a deliberate disregard.
  • "them": Refers back to "the great things of my law."
  • "a foreign thing": The Hebrew is "zar" (זר), meaning "strange," "alien," or "foreign." It implies something not belonging, irrelevant, or even hostile to their understanding or practice. This demonstrates their spiritual estrangement from God's commands.

• "they are counted":

  • "they": Refers to Israel's adherence to human teaching.
  • "counted": Similar to the previous "counts," reinforcing the idea of how their actions are assessed or perceived, which in this case is negatively by God.

• "as though they were of flesh":

  • "though": Indicates a comparison or likeness.
  • "of flesh": The Hebrew is "basar" (בשר), referring to human beings, human nature, or that which is mortal and perishable. This emphasizes that their trust is placed in human institutions, wisdom, or power, which are inherently weak and transient, unlike God's eternal word.

• "whose heart is continually estranged from me":

  • "whose heart": "Levav" (לבב) in Hebrew refers to the inner self, the seat of emotions, will, and intellect. It signifies the core of their being.
  • "continually": The Hebrew word "adam" (אדם) can imply consistently, regularly, or perpetually. There is a continuous nature to their rebellion.
  • "estranged from me": The Hebrew verb "shuva me'eni" (שובה מעני) literally means "to turn back/away from me" or "to go away from me." It denotes apostasy, turning away from their relationship and commitment to God. This expresses a deep-seated rejection of God's presence and authority.

Group Analysis:

The verse constructs a stark contrast between God's established and significant divine instruction ("great things of my law") and Israel's perception and treatment of it ("foreign thing"). This alienation is rooted in their "heart," their inner being, which is characterized by persistent turning away from God. Their embrace of "foreign" or human precepts, as opposed to divine "Torah," is the outward manifestation of this internal spiritual sickness, making their pronouncements and beliefs transient and ultimately worthless ("of flesh").

Hosea 8 12 Bonus Section

The Hebrew word "Torah" signifies instruction and guidance. When contrasted with the human teachings described as "foreign" and "of flesh," it underscores the vital difference between divine, eternal truth and transient, human error. This verse powerfully illustrates that prioritizing human wisdom or tradition over God's revealed Word renders those teachings as hollow and ultimately destructive, signifying a severe breach in the covenant relationship with God.

Hosea 8 12 Commentary

Israel had received God's abundant instruction and covenants, described as "great things of my law." These were meant to be the foundation of their nation and faith. However, they treated these divine revelations as alien, as if they belonged to no one and were of no value. Instead, they embraced teachings and practices that were fundamentally human, transient, and disconnected from God's eternal will. This rejection stemmed from a deeper spiritual disease: a heart continually turning away from God. Consequently, the empty words and traditions they followed, born from their estrangement, were considered insignificant and as ephemeral as human flesh. Their embrace of superficiality meant their entire framework of belief and practice was ultimately built on a foundation of nothingness, leading to their impending judgment. This serves as a perpetual warning against treating God's revealed word as mere human suggestion and instead embracing flawed human pronouncements as absolute truth.