The Pulpit Commentary on Hosea 12:1

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind. "Wind" is employed figuratively to denote what is empty and vain, of no real worth or practical benefit.

1. To feed on wind is to take pleasure in or draw sustenance from what can really afford neither; while following after the east wind is

2. The Septuagint rendering is ὁ δὲ ἐφραὶμ πονηρὸν πνεῦμα ἐδίωξε καυδώνα, equivalent to "But Ephraim is an evil spirit; he has chased the east wind." He daily (rather, all the day) increaseth lies and desolation. Some understood these words

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Hosea 12:1-6Ephraim feeds himself with vain hopes of help from man, when he is at enmity with God. The Jews vainly thought to secure the Egyptians by a present of the produce of their country. Judah is contended with also. God sees…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Crimes of Israel and Judah; Expostulations with Israel. (b. c. 723.)THE CRIMES OF ISRAEL AND JUDAH; EXPOSTULATIONS WITH ISRAEL. (B. C. 723.) In these verses, I. Ephraim is convicted of folly, in staying himself upon Egypt and Assyria, when he was in straits (Hosea 12:1): Ephraim feeds o…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Hosea 12:1Worthless soul-food. "Ephraim feedeth on wind." Delitzsch renders this clause, "Ephraim grazeth wind." The idea is that it sought for support and satisfaction in those things that were utterly unsubstantial and worthles…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Hosea 12:1-6Reproof, retrospect, and exhortation. Ephraim is reproved for the pursuit of empty and vain courses, and courses detrimental to their best and real interests. Judah is included in the threatening which follows. They are…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Hosea 12:1-14EXPOSITION In Hosea 12:1-6 God continues his complaint against Ephraim, charging them specially with the pursuit of vain and futile courses to their great detriment. Instead of repairing to the true and everlasting sour…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Hosea 12:1Feeding on wind. The conduct of Ephraim is in many respects very instructive to all readers of Scripture. There is nothing in that conduct upon which Hosea lays greater stress than the extreme folly, unreasonableness, f…Joseph S. Exell and contributors