11:12

This verse has similarities to 11:9c–d. Both verses use a less common Hebrew term for God and both refer to God as “Holy One.”11:9 and 11:12 are the only places in Hosea that the Hebrew term ‘ēl is used for “God” and that the term “holy [one]” is used to describe him. 11:9c–d describes the holy God in the midst of people. 11:12 uses a similar description. It is not a happy picture of a father surrounded by his loving children. Rather it is a picture of someone encircled by hostile enemies, who attack him with lies and deception.

11:12a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^12a Ephraim surrounds Me with lies,

^12b the house of Israel with deceit;

There is an ellipsis in the second line. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from the first line. For example:

^12b the house of Israel surrounds me with deceit.

These lines are metaphors that compare the people of Israel to an enemy army that surrounds a person or a city. The lies and deceit of the people are like the weapons of the enemy.Stuart (page 189), Andersen and Freedman (page 600) and Davies (page 269).

Ephraim…house of Israel: Both of these terms refer to the people of Israel. (See 4:17a “Ephraim” and 1:6c “the house of Israel”). See the General Comment on 11:12a–b for translation options.

surrounds Me: This figurative phrase was probably well known to Hosea’s audience because of Psalms that use it in a similar way.For example, Psalm 22:16 says: “For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me….” Here, the pronoun Me refers to the LORD.Stuart (page 189) and Andersen and Freedman (page 600).

lies…deceit: In Hebrew, these two words have similar meanings. The word for lies means “evasion of truth.”TWOT (#975a). McComiskey (page 197). The word for deceit means “deceive,” “mislead.” It describes speech and behavior that intends to mislead, such as a merchant using inaccurate scales.TWOT (#2169b). Dearman (pages 296–297) and McComiskey (page 197).

11:12a

11:12b

11:12c–d

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^12cbut Judah still walks with God

^12dand is faithful to the Holy One.

In Hebrew, these lines are more literally “and/but Judah still it has roamed with God and with [the] holy [one(s)] faithful.” There are two main interpretations of this verse part:A third interpretation is not listed due to minimal version support. It proposes that the Hebrew term for God here, ‘el, refers to a pagan ‘el, rather than to YHWH. Likewise with “holy ones.” This view is favored by Andersen and Freedman (pages 600–603), Hubbard (page 199) and Garrett (pages 229–231).

1. These lines say that Judah remains faithful to God. The meaning of the word “roamed” is “follow.”HALOT (electronic edition, page 1194) cites Wolff “but Judah still goes about with God.” Andersen and Freedman (page 602) notes that this is the traditional interpretation. The people of Judah continue to follow God. The word “faithful” refers to Judah.In this interpretation, the parallel lines of the Hebrew text form a chiasm: Judah still (A) it has roamed (B) with God; (B’) and with [the] holy [one(s)] (A’) faithful. For example:

   But Judah still roams about with God; he remains faithful to the Holy One. (NET) (BSB, ESV, KJV, NET, NJPS, NJB, NLT, NRSV)

2. These lines say that Judah wanders from God who is faithful. The meaning of the word “roamed” is “wander restlessly.”BDB (#7300). This Hebrew word normally has connotations of rebellion. Davies (page 270). The word “faithful” refers to God.In this interpretation the faithfulness of God is contrasted with the rebellious nature of the people of Judah. For example:

   and the people of Judah are still rebelling against me, the faithful and holy God. (GNT) (CEV, GNT, GW, NASB, NCV, NIV, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).This interpretation is also supported by the LXX, which has “Judah now God knows them and it will be called a holy people of God.” See also Dearman (pages 296–297), Macintosh (page 475), and McComiskey (page 197). At the time of Hosea, Judah was not yet as rebellious against God as Israel.McComiskey (page 197) notes that Judah had not yet incurred the guilt that Israel had brought on herself, and would be spared for a while. See also Dearman (pages 296–297).

11:12c

but Judah still walks with God: This line and 11:12d contrast the people of the southern kingdom of Judah with those of the northern kingdom of Israel. The people of Israel surrounded God with lies and deceit, but Judah continued to follow God.

still: The word still refers to something that continues. Here it indicates the continuation of a past or present event.TWOT (#1576a).

walks: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as walks, means “to roam about freely” or “to wander.”HALOT (electronic edition, page 1194). The meaning can be positive or negative. Here the word is used in a positive way. See the interpretations above.

with: The Hebrew word has meanings such as with, “beside,” “by,” or “accompanying.” It is commonly used of a close relationship.TWOT (#1640b).

God: Here the Hebrew word for God is el and not YHWH. This is the same word as in 11:9c. Some versions translate el as God instead of “LORD.” Use your general term for God here.

11:12d

faithful: The Hebrew word means “to prove to be firm, reliable, faithful.”HALOT (electronic edition, p. 63) nifal. The word commonly applies to trust in God.Andersen and Freedman (page 603) and Macintosh (page 475).

the Holy One: This term is more literally “and with holy [ones].” The term Holy One is also in 11:9. See 11:9d “the Holy One among you.” In 11:9 the word is singular. Here it is plural. It is probably an honorific plural, also called a plural of majesty. The term refers to God in both verses.McComiskey (page 197), Macintosh (page 473) and Keil (pages 94–95).