Hosea 11
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
When Israel was a child - In the infancy of his political existence. I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt - Where he was greatly oppressed; and in this I gave the proof of my love. I preserved my people in their affliction there, and brought them safely out of it.
Open source ↗(Hos 11:5 shows this prophecy was uttered after the league made with Egypt (Kg2 17:4)) Israel . . . called my son out of Egypt--BENGEL translates, "From the time that he (Israel) was in Egypt, I called him My son," which the parallelism proves. So Hos 12:9 and Hos 13:4 use "from . . . Egypt," for "from the time that thou didst sojourn in Egypt." Exo 4:22 also shows that Israel was called by God, "My son," from the time of his Egyptian sojourn (Isa 43:1). God is always said to have led or brought forth, not to have "called," Israel from Egypt. Mat 2:15, therefore, in quoting this prophecy (typically and primarily referring to Israel, antitypically and fully to Messiah), applies it to Jesus' sojourn in Egypt, not His return from it. Even from His infancy, partly spent in Egypt, God called Him His son. God included Messiah, and Israel for Messiah's sake, in one common love, and therefore in one common prophecy. Messiah's people and Himself are one, as the Head and the body. Isa 49:3 calls Him "Israel." The same general reason, danger of extinction, caused the infant Jesus, and Israel in its national infancy (compare Gen. 42:1-43:34; Gen 45:18; Gen 46:3-4; Eze 16:4-6; Jer 31:20) to sojourn in Egypt. So He, and His spiritual Israel, are already called "God's sons" while yet in the Egypt of the world.
Open source ↗When Israel was a child, then I loved him,.... Or, "for Israel was a child" (u); a rebellious and disobedient one, therefore his king was cut off in a morning, and he has been, and will be, without a king many days; yet still "I loved him": or, "though Israel was a child" (w); a weak, helpless, foolish, and imprudent one, "yet I loved him": or, "when a child"; in the infancy of his civil and church state, when in Egypt, and in the wilderness; the Lord loved him, not only as his creature, as he does all the works of his hands, but with a more special love than he loved others; choosing them to be a special people above all others; giving them his law, his statutes, and his judgments, his word and his worship, which he did not give to other nations. So he loves spiritual and mystical Israel, all the elect of God, whether Jews or Gentiles, when children, as soon as born, and though born in sin, carnal and corrupt; yea, before they are born, and when having done neither good nor evil; and so may be expressive both of the earliness and antiquity of his love to them, and of the freeness of it, without any merits or motives of theirs; and called my son out of Egypt, not literal Israel, as before, whom God called his son, and his firstborn, and demanded his dismission from Pharaoh, and called him, and brought him out of Egypt with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; and which was a type of his calling spiritual Israel, his adopted sons, out of worse than Egyptian bondage and darkness: but his own natural and only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; for these words are expressly said to be fulfilled in him, Mat 2:15; not by way of allusion; or by accommodation of phrases; or as the type is fulfilled in the antitype; or as a proverbial expression, adapted to any deliverance; but…
Open source ↗The prophet goes back a third time (cf. Hos 10:1; Hos 9:10) to the early times of Israel, and shows how the people had repaid the Lord, for all the proofs of His love, with nothing but ingratitude and unfaithfulness; so that it would have merited utter destruction from off the earth, if God should not restrain His wrath for the sake of His unchangeable faithfulness, in order that, after severely chastening, He might gather together once more those that were rescued from among the heathen. Hos 11:1. "When Israel was young, then I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. Hos 11:2. Men called to them; so they went away from their countenance: they offer sacrifice to the Baals, and burn incense to the idols." Hos 11:1 rests upon Exo 4:22-23, where the Lord directs Moses to say to Pharaoh, "Israel is my first-born son; let my son go, that he may serve me." Israel was the son of Jehovah, by virtue of its election to be Jehovah's peculiar people (see at Exo 4:22). In this election lay the ground for the love which God showed to Israel, by bringing it out of Egypt, to give it the land of Canaan, promised to the fathers for its inheritance. The adoption of Israel as the son of Jehovah, which began with its deliverance out of the bondage of Egypt, and was completed in the conclusion of the covenant at Sinai, forms the first stage in the carrying out of the divine work of salvation, which was completed in the incarnation of the Son of God for the redemption of mankind from death and ruin. The development and guidance of Israel as the people of God all pointed to Christ; not, however, in any such sense as that the nation of Israel was to bring forth the son of God from within itself, but in this sense, that the relation which the Lord of heaven and earth established and sustain…
Open source ↗Here we find, I. God very gracious to Israel. They were a people for whom he had done more than for any people under heaven, and to whom he had given more, which they are here, I will not say upbraided with (for God gives, and upbraids not), but put in mind of, as an aggravation of their sin and an encouragement to repentance. 1. He had a kindness for them when they were young (Hos 11:1): When Israel was a child then I loved him; when they first began to multiply into a nation in Egypt God then set his love upon them, and chose them because he loved them, because he would love them, Deu 7:7, Deu 7:8. When they were weak and helpless as children, foolish and froward as children, when they were outcasts, and children exposed, then God loved them; he pitied them, and testified his goodwill to them; he bore them as the nurse does the sucking child, nourished them, and suffered their manners. Note, Those that have grown up, nay, those that have grown old, ought often to reflect upon the goodness of God to them in their childhood. 2. He delivered them out of the house of bondage: I called my son out of Egypt, because a son, because a beloved son. When God demanded Israel's discharge from Pharaoh he called them his son, his first-born. Note, Those whom God loves he calls out of the bondage of sin and Satan into the glorious liberty of his children. These words are said to have been fulfilled in Christ, when, upon the death of Herod, he and his parents were called out of Egypt (Mat 2:15), so that the words have a double aspect, speaking historically of the calling of Israel out of Egypt and prophetically of the bringing of Christ thence; and the former was a type of the latter, and a pledge and earnest of the many and great favours God had in reserve for that people, especially…
Open source ↗11:1-11 God agonized over Israel’s unfaithfulness. Despite all he had done, Israel had become a rebel. Justice required severe punishment, but the final sentence for Israel would be determined by God’s tender compassion for his people, not by an abstract principle. 11:1 my son: The Lord adopted Israel when he delivered him out of Egypt. This verse is quoted in reference to Jesus in Matt 2:15 (see study note on Matt 4:1-11).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt
Open source ↗קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) בַּעַל (Baʻal, H1168) — Baal, a Phoenician deity קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) פְּסִיל (pᵉçîyl, H6456) — an idol
Open source ↗תִּרְגַּל (tirgal, H8637) — to cause to walk אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) זְרוֹעַ (zᵉrôwaʻ, H2220) — the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… רָפָא (râphâʼ, H7495) — properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure
Open source ↗מָשַׁךְ (mâshak, H4900) — to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong,… חֶבֶל (chebel, H2256) — a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) עֲבֹת (ʻăbôth, H5688) — something intwined, i.e. a string, wreath or foliage אַהֲבָה (ʼahăbâh, H160) — {affection (in a good or a bad sense)} רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) עֹל (ʻôl, H5923) — a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively לְחִי (lᵉchîy, H3895) — the cheek (from its fleshiness); hence, the jaw-bone נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מָאֵן (mâʼên, H3985) — to refuse
Open source ↗חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… חוּל (chûwl, H2342) — properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specifically) to… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… בַּד (bad, H905) — properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) מוֹעֵצָה (môwʻêtsâh, H4156) — a purpose
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… תָּלָא (tâlâʼ, H8511) — to suspend; figuratively (through hesitation) to be uncertain; by implication (of mental… מְשׁוּבָה (mᵉshûwbâh, H4878) — apostasy קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… עַל (ʻal, H5920) — properly, the top; specifically, the highest (i.e. God); also (adverb) aloft, to Jehovah יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory מָגַן (mâgan, H4042) — properly, to shield; encompass with; figuratively, to rescue, to hand safely over (i.e.… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity אַדְמָה (ʼAdmâh, H126) — Admah, a place near the Dead Sea שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… צְבֹאִים (Tsᵉbôʼîym, H6636) — Tseboim or Tsebijim, a place in Palestine לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… הָפַךְ (hâphak, H2015) — to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert נִחוּם (nichûwm, H5150) — properly, consoled; abstractly, solace כָּמַר (kâmar, H3648) — properly, to intertwine or contract, i.e. (by implication) to shrivel (as with heat);… יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חָרוֹן (chârôwn, H2740) — a burning of anger אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… שָׁחַת (shâchath, H7843) — to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively) אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere…
Open source ↗יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁאַג (shâʼag, H7580) — to rumble or moan אֲרִי (ʼărîy, H738) — a lion בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חָרַד (chârad, H2729) — to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety) יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the…
Open source ↗חָרַד (chârad, H2729) — to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety) צִפּוֹר (tsippôwr, H6833) — a little bird (as hopping) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt יוֹנָה (yôwnâh, H3123) — a dove (apparently from the warmth of their mating) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively כַּחַשׁ (kachash, H3585) — literally a failure of flesh, i.e. emaciation; figuratively, hypocrisy בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מִרְמָה (mirmâh, H4820) — fraud יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… רוּד (rûwd, H7300) — to tramp about, i.e. ramble (free or disconsolate) אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) אָמַן (ʼâman, H539) — properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render… קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Then tell Pharaoh that this is what the LORD says: ‘Israel is My firstborn son,
Yet I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt; you know no God but Me, for there is no Savior besides Me.
There I will give back her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor into a gateway of hope. There she will respond as she did in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.
“Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: ‘I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.
But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.
“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved,
Then I passed by and saw you wallowing in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, ‘Live!’ There I said to you, ‘Live!’
The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.
But I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt. I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast.