Bible Commentary

Hosea 12:1-6

Matthew Henry on Hosea 12:1-6

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Ephraim 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 the sin of his own people, and will reckon with them for it. They are put in mind of what Jacob did, and what God did for him. When his faith upon the Divine promise prevailed above his fears, then by his strength he had power with God.

He is Jehovah, the same that was, and is, and is to come. What was a revelation of God to one, is his memorial to many, to all generations. Then let those who have gone from God, be turned to him. Turn thou to the Lord, by repentance and faith, as thy God.

Let those that are converted to him, walk with him in all holy conversation and godliness. Let us wrestle with Him for promised blessings, determined not to give over till we prevail; and let us seek Him in his ordinances.

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The Crimes of Israel and Judah; Expostulations with Israel. (b. c. 723.)Hosea 12:1-6 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE 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…The Pulpit Commentary on Hosea 12:1-14Hosea 12:1-14 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION 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…The Pulpit Commentary on Hosea 12:1Hosea 12:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryEphraim 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 sust…The Pulpit Commentary on Hosea 12:1-6Hosea 12:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryReproof, 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…The Pulpit Commentary on Hosea 12:1Hosea 12:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryFeeding 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…The Pulpit Commentary on Hosea 12:1Hosea 12:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryWorthless 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…
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 HenrycommentaryThe 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 contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Hosea 12:1Ephraim 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 sust…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe 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 contributorscommentaryThe 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 contributorscommentaryThe 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 contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Hosea 12:2The Lord hath also a controversy with Judah; and will punish (margin, visit upon) Jacob according to his ways. God here presents himself at once as plaintiff and judge, widening the range of his pleadings. The controver…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Hosea 12:3Power with God. The prophet here introduced a reference to Jacob, one of the ancestors of the chosen people, in order to encourage his descendants to apply for mercy to the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob. The Et…Joseph S. Exell and contributors