HOS 12:1 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Efrayim/Yisrael feeds on the wind
⇔ ≈ and pursues the east wind all day.
⇔ He multiplies lies and violence.
⇔ They make a covenant with Assyria
⇔ and olive oil is carried to Egypt.

Key: khaki:verbs.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXX Ἐκύκλωσέ με ἐν ψεύδει Ἐφραὶμ, καὶ ἐν ἀσεβείαις οἶκος Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ Ἰούδα· νῦν ἔγνω αὐτοὺς ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ ὁ λαὸς ἅγιος κεκλήσεται Θεοῦ.
(Ekuklōse me en pseudei Efraim, kai en asebeiais oikos Israaʸl, kai Youda; nun egnō autous ho Theos, kai ho laos hagios keklaʸsetai Theou. )

BrTr Ephraim has compassed me with falsehood, and the house of Israel and Juda with ungodliness: but now God knows them, and they shall be called God's holy people.

ULT Ephraim feeds on the wind
⇔ and pursues the east wind all day.
⇔ He multiplies lies and violence.
⇔ They make a covenant with Assyria
⇔ and olive oil is carried to Egypt.

UST The people of Israel do only what is useless;
⇔ they do only things that will destroy them.
⇔ They tell more and more lies; they do more and more acts of violence.
⇔ They make a treaty with Assyria,
⇔ and they send olive oil to Egypt,
⇔ to persuade those nations to protect them.

BSB Ephraim[fn] feeds on the wind
⇔ and pursues the east wind all day long;
⇔ he multiplies lies and violence;
⇔ he makes a covenant with Assyria
⇔ and sends olive oil to Egypt.

12:1 That is, the northern kingdom of Israel; also in verses 8 and 14

OEB Ephraim herds the wind and hunts the sirocco.
⇔ All day long they heap up falsehood and fraud,
⇔ make a treaty with Assyria,
⇔ and sends tribute of olive oil to Egypt.

WEBBE Ephraim feeds on wind,
⇔ and chases the east wind.
⇔ He continually multiplies lies and desolation.
⇔ They make a covenant with Assyria,
⇔ and oil is carried into Egypt.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Ephraim continually feeds on the wind;
⇔ he chases the east wind all day;
⇔ he multiplies lies and violence.
⇔ They make treaties with Assyria,
⇔ and send olive oil as tribute to Egypt.

LSV “Ephraim is enjoying wind,
And is pursuing an east wind,
All the day he multiplies lying and spoiling,
And they make a covenant with Asshur,
And oil is carried to Egypt.

FBV Ephraim tries to herd the wind, chasing after the east wind all day long. Their lies and violence keep on increasing. They make a treaty with Assyria, and send olive oil to Egypt.[fn]

12:1 In other words, while making a treaty with Assyria they are covering their options by trying to gain support from Egypt as well by sending supplies of olive oil.

T4T The leaders of Israel are constantly wavering about seeking help from other countries.
⇔ Seeking their help is as useless as [MET] chasing the wind.
⇔ They pile up their lies and violent acts.
⇔ First, they make a treaty with Assyria,
⇔ and then they send olive oil to the rulers of Egypt to seek their help.

LEB Ephraim herds the wind[fn]
• and is pursuing the east wind all day long;
• he multiplies deception and violence
• and he[fn] makes a treaty with Assyria ,[fn]
• and oil is brought to Egypt.

12:1 Or “Ephraim befriends the wind”

12:1 Hebrew “they”

12:1 Literally “cuts a covenant with Assyria”

BBE Ephraim's food is the wind, and he goes after the east wind: deceit and destruction are increasing day by day; they make an agreement with Assyria, and take oil into Egypt.

Moff Ephraim herds the wind
⇔ and hunts a sirocco,
⇔ piling up fraud and falsehood daily,
⇔ striking a bargain with Assyria,
⇔ carrying presents of oil to Egypt.

JPS (12-2) Ephraim striveth after wind, and followeth after the east wind; all the day he multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

ASV Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he continually multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

DRA Ephraim feedeth on the wind, and followeth the burning heat: all the day long he multiplied lies and desolation: and he hath made a covenant with the Assyrians, and carried oil into Egypt.

YLT Ephraim is enjoying wind, And is pursuing an east wind, All the day lying and spoiling he multiplieth, And a covenant with Asshur they make, And oil to Egypt is carried.

Drby Ephraim feedeth on wind, and pursueth after the east wind: all day long he multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

RV Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he continually multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.
(Ephraim feedeth/feeds on wind, and followeth/follows after the east wind: he continually multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt. )

SLT Ephraim fed upon the wind, and he pursued the east wind: all the day he multiplied falsehood and destruction; and they will cut out a covenant with Assur, and oil will be brought to Egypt.

Wbstr Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily multiplieth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

KJB-1769 Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
(Ephraim feedeth/feeds on wind, and followeth/follows after the east wind: he daily increaseth/increases lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt. )

KJB-1611 ¶ Ephraim feedeth on winde, and followeth after the East winde: hee daily increaseth lies and desolation, and they doe make a couenant with the Assyrians, and oyle is caried into Egypt.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps Ephraim is fed with the wynde, & foloweth after the east winde, he dayly encreaseth lyes & destruction, they be confederate with the Assyrians, their oyle is caryed into Egypt.
(Ephraim is fed with the wind, and followeth/follows after the east wind, he daily increaseth lies and destruction, they be confederate with the Assyrians, their oil is carried into Egypt.)

Gnva Ephraim is fed with the winde, and followeth after the East winde: hee increaseth daily lies and destruction, and they do make a couenant with Asshur, and oyle is caried into Egypt.
(Ephraim is fed with the wind, and followeth/follows after the East wind: he increaseth/increases daily lies and destruction, and they do make a covenant with Asshur, and oil is carried into Egypt. )

Cvdl Ephraim kepeth the ayre, and foloweth after the east wynde: he is euer increasinge lyes & destruction. They be confederate with the Assirians, their oyle is caried in to Egipte.
(Ephraim keepeth/keeps the air, and followeth/follows after the east wind: he is ever increasing lies and destruction. They be confederate with the Assirians, their oil is carried in to Egypt.)

Wycl Effraym fedith wynd, and sueth heete. Al dai he multiplieth leesyng, and distriyng; and he made boond of pees with Assiriens, and bar oile in to Egipt.
(Ephraim fedith wind, and sueth heete. All day he multiplieth falsehood, and destroying; and he made bond of peace with Assiriens, and bar oil in to Egypt.)

Luth In Ephraim ist allenthalben Lüge wider mich und im Hause Israel falscher Gottesdienst. Aber Juda hält noch fest an GOtt und am rechten heiligen Gottesdienst.
(In Ephraim is everywhere lie(n)/falsehood against me and in_the house Israel false/counterfeit God’sdienst. But Yuda holds still fest at/to God and in/at/on_the right holy God’sdienst.)

ClVg [Ephraim pascit ventum, et sequitur æstum; tota die mendacium et vastitatem multiplicat: et fœdus cum Assyriis iniit, et oleum in Ægyptum ferebat.
([Ephraim feeds the_wind, and follows brasstum; the_whole day a_lie and waste multiplies: and covenant when/with Assyriis iniit, and oil in/into/on Egypt was_carrying. )

SOTN SIL Open Translation Notes:

Section 11:12–12:14: Israel is deceitful and refuses to return to the LORD

In this section, the LORD accuses both Israel and Judah of wrongdoing, but then focuses on the wicked behavior of Israel (11:12–12:1). Hosea continues to describe Israel, giving examples from the life of their ancestor Jacob to show that Israel followed his bad behavior (12:2–8). The LORD then reminded the people how they had responded wickedly when he led them in the past (12:9–11). Hosea concludes this section by comparing Jacob’s care of sheep in Aram with the LORD’s care of his people through a prophet or prophets.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

Israel’s Sin (NIV)

Israel and Judah Are Condemned (GNT)

Paragraph 11:12–12:1

In this paragraph, the LORD brings charges against both Israel and Judah. The statements here are similar to opening remarks made by a prosecutor in a court case.Or a presentation to teach or confront the people. See Dearman (pages 294–295) and Stuart (pages 187–188). Some versions use headings that correspond to such a context.

Here are some examples of other headings:

God’s Lawsuit against Israel: Breach of Covenant (NET)

Charges against Israel and Judah (NLT)

In the Masoretic Text, the first verse of Hosea chapter 12 begins here. The Notes and Display will follow the majority of English versions that regard this verse as Hosea 11:12.

12:1a–b

(combined/reordered)

Israel makes plans that are as futile as chasing the east wind all day long.
Everything that the people of Israel do from morning to night is useless and destructive. (GNT)

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^1a Ephraim chases the wind

^1b and pursues the east wind all day long;

These lines are metaphors that compare the people of Israel to an animal that attempts to catch and eat wind for its food.

Here are some ways to translate these figures of speech:

Use a metaphor. Make the similarity explicit if it will be helpful. For example:
Ephraim is a foolish calf that tries to eat wind.
Use a simile. Make the similarity or topic explicit if it will be helpful. For example:
Ephraim is like an animal that feeds on wind instead of pasture grass.
Israel’s behavior is as useless as feeding on wind.
Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:
The people of Israel try to achieve worthless goals.

12:1a

Ephraim chases the wind

Ephraim is like an animal that eats wind instead of grass.
The people of Israel try to accomplish foolish things.

Ephraim chases the wind: There are two main interpretations of the Hebrew word that the BSB translates as chases:

The word means “feeds/graze.” It usually refers to an animal that grazes in a pasture. For example:
Ephraim feeds on the wind (ESV) (ESV, KJV, NASB, NET, NIV, NJB, NLT, REB)
The word means “herd.” It usually refers to the herding of animals. For example:
Ephraim herds the wind (NRSV) (NJPS, NRSV)
The word means “chase.” For example:
What Israel does is as useless as chasing the wind (NCV) (BSB, CEV, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions.McComiskey (page 197) and Keil (page 94) favor this interpretation. Hosea uses similar comparisons of Ephraim to animals elsewhere (10:11–13; 11:4).

wind: In this context, the word wind is used figuratively to mean “a vain or empty thing.”BDB (#7307) 2e. The metaphor “feeds on the wind” means to strive after what is worthless, meaningless, or futile.Keil, Wood, Davies, McComiskey, Hubbard, and Macintosh.

12:1b

and pursues the east wind all day long;

All day long he chases after the wind that blows from the desert.
They continually try to get what is worthless.

pursues the east wind all day long: This metaphor means to do something that is useless and potentially harmful.Dearman (pages 297–299). Also see Stuart, Keil, Garrett, Macintosh, and Davies.

east wind: This phrase probably refers to the strong wind in Israel that blows from the eastern desert. It is a hot, dry, destructive wind.The Sirocco. Here the phrase may imply the destruction that will result from the foolish behavior of Israel, described in 12:1c–e.

all day long: There are two interpretations of the connection of this phrase to the surrounding context:

The phrase all day is part of the previous clause. It indicates that Ephraim pursues the east wind all day.McComiskey (page 197) says that the stupidity of this activity is heightened by the fact that this hypothetical animal does this “all day long.” For example:
Ephraim feeds on the wind, and pursues the east wind all day long (ESV) (BSB, CEV, ESV, GNT, GW, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJB, NLT, NRSV, REB)
The phrase all day is part of the following clause. It indicates that Ephraim multiplies lies and violence all day. For example:
he daily increases lies and desolation (NKJV) (NJPS, NKJV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions.

The phrase all day long is an expression that means continually.Keil (pages 94–95). Some versions translate it that way. For example:

Ephraim feeds on wind, and pursues the east wind continually. (NASB)

12:1c

he multiplies lies and violence;

His lies and wrongs have become more and more numerous.
How violent they are, and so deceitful!

he multiplies lies and violence: The Hebrew word for multiplies means “make numerous.”TWOT (#2103) I. It indicates that lying and violence continued to increase.

violence: In Hebrew, this word means “violent action.” In this context, it may refer particularly to social wrongs such as oppression and other evil behavior.BDB (#8270) and DCH (Vol. 8, p. 266).

12:1d–e

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^1d he makes a covenant with Assyria

^1eand sends olive oil to Egypt.

These lines give examples of Israel’s attempts to gain favor with powerful nations. They are also examples of the kind of futile behavior that Hosea described as grazing on wind and pursuing the east wind. Here are some reasons this behavior was futile:

It challenged Yahweh’s role as Israel’s one true savior.Davies (page 271).
Israel’s covenant with Yahweh was exclusive. It did not allow them to make a covenant with Assyria.Dearman (pages 297–299).
It was an act of disloyalty to God and of political foolishness.Hubbard (page 201).
It gave a false sense of security.Garrett (pages 235–236).

12:1d

he makes a covenant with Assyria

He agrees to ally with the nation of Assyria,
For example, they make an agreement to serve the rulers of Assyria,

he makes a covenant with Assyria: This clause refers to a political alliance between Israel and Assyria. It may refer specifically to the promise of Israelite king Hoshea to make Israel a faithful subject of Assyria.Stuart (pages 189–190), Garrett (pages 235–236), Davies (page 271), and IVPBBCOT “Assyria treaty.” See 2 Kings 17:3. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

they make a covenant with Assyria (ESV)

they are making an alliance with Assyria (NLT)

They make agreements with Assyria (NCV)

12:1e

and sends olive oil to Egypt.

while at the same time he sends a gift of oil to Egypt to gain its help.”
but they also send olive oil to Egypt, Assyria’s enemy, to gain their favor.”

and sends olive oil to Egypt: This clause probably refers to a gift that Israel sent to Egypt to gain their help or to make a treaty.Dearman (pages 297–299), Davies (pages 271–272), Keil (pages 94–95), Garrett (pages 235–236), and Stuart (pages 189–190). This action was foolish and dangerous for Israel. It caused Assyria to interpret it as disloyalty to them and invited their anger.

olive oil: The Hebrew word is literally oil. It refers to olive oil. Olive oil was abundant in Israel. It was valuable in that region, especially in Egypt where olives were not grown.IVPBBCOT “Assyria treaty.” Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and send olive oil as tribute to Egypt (NET)

while sending olive oil to buy support from Egypt (NLT)

Parallel HOS 12:1