Hosea 11:1-4

God’s Love for Israel

1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

2 But the more they were called, the more they went away from me.^[a]They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.

3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them.

4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.

Hosea 11:1-4 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 11

This chapter gives an account of the free and ancient love of God to Israel, and of the benefits and blessings of goodness he bestowed upon them; and of their ingratitude in not owning them, nor hearkening to his prophets, but sacrificing and burning incense to idols, Ho 11:1-4; wherefore they are threatened with disappointment of relief from Egypt, with captivity into Assyria, and with the ravages of the sword in all places, being a people bent to backsliding, and incorrigible, Ho 11:5-7; and yet, notwithstanding all this, the bowels of the Lord yearn after them, and promises of mercy are made to them; that they shall not utterly be destroyed, but a remnant shall be spared; which in the latter day shall be called and follow after the Lord, the King Messiah, and be returned from their captivity, and be resettled in their own land, and replaced in their own houses, Ho 11:8-11; the chapter is concluded with an honourable character of Judah, Ho 11:12.

Cross References

• 1. S Jeremiah 2:2; S Ezekiel 16:22
• 2. S Deuteronomy 4:37
• 3. S Exodus 4:22; Hosea 12:9,13; Hosea 13:4; Matthew 2:15*
• 4. ver 7
• 5. S Hosea 2:13
• 6. S 2 Kings 17:15; Isaiah 65:7; S Jeremiah 18:15; S Hosea 4:13; Hosea 13:1
• 7. S Deuteronomy 1:31; S Deuteronomy 32:11; Hosea 7:15
• 8. S Exodus 15:26; Jeremiah 30:17
• 9. Jeremiah 31:2-3
• 10. S Leviticus 26:13
• 11. Exodus 16:32; Psalms 78:25
• 12. Jeremiah 31:20

Footnotes

• [a]. Septuagint; Hebrew "them"