Hosea 11:12–12:1

11:12–12:1 These two verses form a bridge between the climactic end of the great central movement in Hosea and the opening of the next movement. The critique of the northern kingdom (Ephraim) is very strong: they are characterized by “lies” and “deceit” (11:12a) and continue their habit of pursuing alliances with the nations (12:1), having entered into a treaty with Assyria. This is parallel to the obscure idiom that they “carried oil to Egypt,” perhaps a reference to tribute they gave in order to secure an alliance. What is clear is that they trusted in Egypt and Assyria, and this is utter folly—like trying to nourish oneself on the wind or catch it in one’s hand.

Judah is also mentioned here (11:12), and there is debate concerning whether the reference should be understood positively or negatively. The ESV translates, “Judah still walks with God.” The verb rendered “walk” is quite rare, found only four times in the Bible. One instance is in Genesis 27:40, where Isaac condemns Esau to serve his brother until he grows “restless” (same word) and breaks his yoke. Some understand Hosea 11:12 to carry this same negative nuance, translating the clause, “Judah is unruly against God, even against the faithful Holy One” (NIV). If so, this would be a way of saying that the Lord is surrounded by the faithless, whether by Israel in the north or by Judah in the south.

In another instance, however, the verb here rendered as “walk” refers to roaming (cf. Hb. of Jer. 2:31), and the word at the end of Hosea 11:12 (“faithful”) can be naturally applied to Judah grammatically (so ESV). This positive perspective of Judah would reflect the historical reality that it displayed periods of faithfulness that the northern kingdom did not. In contrast to Israel, they walked with God.