New: Plus articles on faith, family and the Bible. Read them →

About this chapterGod speaks like a father recalling his child: when Israel was a boy he loved him and called his son out of Egypt, but the more he called, the more they went away, offering to Baals. Yet it was he who taught Ephraim to walk, took them in his arms, and led them with cords of kindness. Now the sword will strike their cities for refusing to return. Then God's heart recoils: how can he give them up? His compassion is aroused, and he will not carry out his fierce anger, for he is God and not a man. Matthew later applies the call out of Egypt to Jesus.

God speaks like a father recalling his child: when Israel was a boy he loved him and called his son out of Egypt, but the more he called, the more they went away, offering to Baals. Yet it was he who taught Ephraim to walk, took them in his arms, and led them with cords of kindness. Now the sword will strike their cities for refusing to return. Then God's heart recoils: how can he give them up? His compassion is aroused, and he will not carry out his fierce anger, for he is God and not a man. Matthew later applies the call out of Egypt to Jesus.

Themes

  • A father's love
  • Leading with kindness
  • God's anguished compassion
  • Not a man but God

Key verses

Audio Bible · Hosea 11

Listen while you go about your day.

Hosea 11

Berean Standard Bible12 verses · 1 min read

1When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. 2But the more I called Israel, the farther they departed from Me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images. 3It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms, but they never realized that it was I who healed them. 4I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them. 5Will they not return to the land of Egypt and be ruled by Assyria because they refused to repent? 6A sword will flash through their cities; it will destroy the bars of their gates and consume them in their own plans. 7My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them. 8How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred! 9I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man— the Holy One among you— and I will not come in wrath. 10They will walk after the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west. 11They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria. Then I will settle them in their homes, declares the LORD. 12Ephraim surrounds Me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One.
Verses in Hosea 11

Chapters of Hosea

All books

Yeshva is free and ad-free, kept going by people like you. Support Yeshva →