Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Ephraim feeds on the wind; he pursues the east wind all day and multiplies lies and violence. He makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt. New Living Translation The people of Israel feed on the wind; they chase after the east wind all day long. They pile up lies and violence; they are making an alliance with Assyria while sending olive oil to buy support from Egypt. English Standard Version Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt. Berean Standard Bible Ephraim 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. Berean Literal Bible Ephraim is grazing on the wind and pursuing the east wind all the day, he multiplies lies and violence; they cut a covenant with Assyria and oil is carried to Egypt. King James Bible 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. New King James Version “Ephraim feeds on the wind, And pursues the east wind; He daily increases lies and desolation. Also they make a covenant with the Assyrians, And oil is carried to Egypt. New American Standard Bible Ephraim feeds on wind, And pursues the east wind continually; He multiplies lies and violence. Moreover, he makes a covenant with Assyria, And oil is brought to Egypt. NASB 1995 Ephraim feeds on wind, And pursues the east wind continually; He multiplies lies and violence. Moreover, he makes a covenant with Assyria, And oil is carried to Egypt. NASB 1977 Ephraim feeds on wind, And pursues the east wind continually; He multiplies lies and violence. Moreover, he makes a covenant with Assyria, And oil is carried to Egypt. Legacy Standard Bible Ephraim feeds on wind And pursues the east wind continually; He abounds in falsehood and destruction. Moreover, he cuts a covenant with Assyria, And oil is carried to Egypt. Amplified Bible Ephraim feeds on the [emptiness of the] wind And [continually] pursues the [parching] east wind [which brings destruction]; Every day he multiplies lies and violence. Further, he makes a covenant with Assyria And (olive) oil is carried to Egypt [to seek alliances]. Berean Annotated Bible Ephraim (the northern kingdom of Israel) feeds on the wind {ruach} and pursues the east wind all day long; he multiplies lies and violence; he makes a covenant with Assyria (a step) and sends olive oil to Egypt (land of bondage). Christian Standard Bible Ephraim chases the wind and pursues the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and violence. He makes a covenant with Assyria, and olive oil is carried to Egypt. Holman Christian Standard Bible Ephraim chases the wind and pursues the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and violence. He makes a covenant with Assyria, and olive oil is carried to Egypt. American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version All day long Israel chases wind from the desert; deceit and violence are found everywhere. Treaties are made with Assyria; olive oil is taken to Egypt. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation The people of Ephraim try to catch the wind and try to chase the east wind all day. They are very violent and destructive. They make treaties with Assyria and take olive oil to Egypt. Good News Translation Everything that the people of Israel do from morning to night is useless and destructive. Treachery and acts of violence increase among them. They make treaties with Assyria and do business with Egypt." International Standard Version "Ephraim feeds on the wind, chasing after the eastern winds, storing up lies and desolation day after day. They are making a contract with the Assyrians, and sending oil to Egypt. NET Bible 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. New Heart English Bible 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. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleEphraim 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. World English Bible 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“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. Berean Literal Bible Ephraim is grazing on the wind and pursuing the east wind all the day, he multiplies lies and violence; they cut a covenant with Assyria and oil is carried to Egypt. Young's Literal Translation 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. Smith's Literal Translation 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. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleEphraim 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. Catholic Public Domain Version Ephraim feeds on wind and follows burning heat; all day long he multiplies lies and desolation. And he has entered into a pact with the Assyrians, and he has carried oil into Egypt. New American Bible Ephraim shepherds the wind, and pursues the east wind all day long. He multiplies lies and violence: They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt. New Revised Standard Version Ephraim herds the wind, and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a treaty with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleEPHRAIM feeds on wind and follows after the tempest all the day long; they have multiplied lies and prey; they have made a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Aphreim feeds on the wind and pursues a hurricane all day; they have multiplied falsehood and spoil, and they have cut a covenant with the Assyrians, and they have brought oil to Egypt OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Ephraim 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation But Ephraim is an evil spirit, he has chased the east wind all the day: he has multiplied empty and vain things, and made a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil has gone in the way of traffic into Egypt. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, Jacob1Ephraim chases 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. 2The LORD also brings a charge against Judah. He will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.… Cross References Ephraim feeds on the wind Hosea 8:7 For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. There is no standing grain; what sprouts fails to yield flour. Even if it should produce, the foreigners would swallow it up. Ecclesiastes 1:14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind. Proverbs 11:29 He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. and pursues the east wind all day long; Hosea 13:15 Although he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come—a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert. His fountain will fail, and his spring will run dry. The wind will plunder his treasury of every precious article. Jeremiah 18:17 I will scatter them before the enemy like the east wind. I will show them My back and not My face in the day of their calamity.” Psalm 48:7 With a wind from the east You wrecked the ships of Tarshish. he multiplies lies and violence; Hosea 4:1-2 Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! / Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another. Micah 6:12 For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths. Psalm 5:6 You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit. he makes a covenant with Assyria Hosea 5:13 When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound. Hosea 7:11 So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove—calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria. 2 Kings 16:7-9 So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, saying, “I am your servant and your son. Come up and save me from the hands of the kings of Aram and Israel, who are rising up against me.” / Ahaz also took the silver and gold found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king’s palace, and he sent it as a gift to the king of Assyria. / So the king of Assyria responded to him, marched up to Damascus, and captured it. He took its people to Kir as captives and put Rezin to death. and sends olive oil to Egypt. 2 Kings 17:4 But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired to send envoys to King So of Egypt, and that he had not paid tribute to the king of Assyria as in previous years. Therefore the king of Assyria arrested Hoshea and put him in prison. Ezekiel 17:15-17 But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’ / ‘As surely as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who enthroned him, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke. / Pharaoh with his mighty army and vast horde will not help him in battle, when ramps are built and siege walls constructed to destroy many lives. Isaiah 30:1-5 “Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. / But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace. … Jeremiah 2:13 “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Treasury of Scripture Ephraim feeds on wind, and follows after the east wind: he daily increases lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt. feedeth. Hosea 8:7 For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up. Job 15:2 Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? Jeremiah 22:22 The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness. he daily. Hosea 11:12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints. and they. Hosea 5:13 When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound. 2 Kings 15:19 And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand. 2 Kings 17:4-6 And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison… Jump to Previous Agreement Asshur Assyria Assyrians Carried Chases Continually Covenant Daily Deceit Desolation Destruction East Egypt Enjoying Ephraim E'phraim Ephraim's Feedeth Feeds Followeth Food Goes Herds Increaseth Lies Makes Moreover Multiplies Multiplieth Multiply Oil Olive Pursues Pursueth Pursuing Sends Spoiling Striveth Treaty Violence WindJump to Next Agreement Asshur Assyria Assyrians Carried Chases Continually Covenant Daily Deceit Desolation Destruction East Egypt Enjoying Ephraim E'phraim Ephraim's Feedeth Feeds Followeth Food Goes Herds Increaseth Lies Makes Moreover Multiplies Multiplieth Multiply Oil Olive Pursues Pursueth Pursuing Sends Spoiling Striveth Treaty Violence WindHosea 12 1. A reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob.3. By former favors he exhorts to repentance. 7. Ephraim's sins provoke God. Ephraim feeds on the wind This phrase symbolizes the futility and emptiness of Ephraim's (representing the northern kingdom of Israel) pursuits. In biblical literature, "wind" often signifies something transient and insubstantial. The imagery suggests that Ephraim is engaging in activities that are ultimately unproductive and meaningless. This can be connected to Ecclesiastes 1:14, where the pursuit of the wind is equated with vanity. 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. Persons / Places / Events 1. EphraimRepresents the northern kingdom of Israel, often used synonymously with Israel in the prophetic books. Ephraim was the largest tribe and thus symbolized the whole nation. 2. Assyria A powerful empire during Hosea's time, known for its military might and influence. Israel sought alliances with Assyria for protection, which demonstrated a lack of trust in God. 3. Egypt Another powerful nation, often seen as a place of refuge or alliance for Israel. Sending olive oil to Egypt symbolizes Israel's reliance on foreign powers rather than God. 4. The East Wind In the Hebrew context, the east wind is often associated with destruction and desolation. It symbolizes the futility and destructive nature of Israel's pursuits. 5. Hosea A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to Israel. His life and marriage were symbolic of God's relationship with Israel. Teaching Points The Futility of Misplaced TrustJust as Ephraim chased the wind, relying on human alliances rather than God leads to emptiness and destruction. Believers are called to place their trust in God alone. The Consequences of Deception Multiplying lies and violence leads to broken relationships and societal decay. Christians are encouraged to live truthfully and peaceably. The Dangers of Compromise Making covenants with worldly powers can lead to spiritual compromise. Believers should be cautious of forming alliances that may lead them away from God's will. The Symbolism of the East Wind The east wind represents the inevitable consequences of sin and rebellion. It serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and returning to God. The Call to Repentance Hosea's message is ultimately one of hope and restoration. Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God calls His people to return to Him and experience His mercy. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Hosea 12:1?2. How does Hosea 12:1 illustrate the futility of relying on worldly alliances? 3. What does "Ephraim feeds on the wind" reveal about Israel's spiritual condition? 4. How can we avoid "multiplying lies and violence" in our own lives today? 5. In what ways does Hosea 12:1 connect with Proverbs 3:5-6 about trust? 6. How can we seek God's guidance instead of "making a covenant with Assyria"? 7. How does Hosea 12:1 reflect Israel's spiritual condition and reliance on falsehoods? 8. What historical context explains Ephraim's pursuit of the east wind in Hosea 12:1? 9. How does Hosea 12:1 challenge modern believers' reliance on worldly solutions? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Hosea 12? 11. In Hosea 11:1, how can 'Out of Egypt I called my son' refer to both Israel's exodus and Jesus in Matthew 2:15 without contradiction? 12. In Hosea 9:3, how does the claim that Israel would return to Egypt align with historical records that show no major return after the Exodus? 13. Hosea 12:9: Is there any historical record of Israel returning to a nomadic lifestyle in tents after the Exodus period? 14. Why does Ezekiel 23:4 personify Samaria and Jerusalem as immoral sisters, and is there historical or archeological evidence to support these specific accusations? What Does Hosea 12:1 Mean Ephraim feeds on the wind“Ephraim feeds on the wind” paints a picture of a people trying to nourish themselves on what can never satisfy. • Wind is empty, transient, and impossible to grasp; living on it is futile (Ecclesiastes 5:16; Hosea 8:7). • Spiritually, Israel was taking in ideas and practices that looked enticing but left them hollow (Isaiah 55:2). • The image condemns self-reliance and idolatry: they sought sustenance everywhere except from the LORD who had provided manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:15, 35). and pursues the east wind all day long The “east wind” in Scripture is hot, scorching, and destructive (Job 27:21; Jeremiah 18:17). • Chasing that wind pictures relentless pursuit of what finally harms. • Israel’s alliances, strategies, and false worship brought immediate excitement yet produced devastation—like the east wind that withers crops (Genesis 41:6, 23). • Their pursuit was constant—“all day long”—revealing an unbroken pattern of misguided ambition (Isaiah 30:15-16). he multiplies lies and violence Turning from God bred both deception and brutality (Hosea 4:1-2). • Lies: broken covenants, false prophets, empty promises (Micah 6:12; Jeremiah 9:3-6). • Violence: oppression of the poor, bloodshed in the streets (Amos 6:12-13; Habakkuk 1:2-3). • Moral collapse always accompanies spiritual infidelity; what fills the heart inevitably shapes society (Matthew 15:19). he makes a covenant with Assyria Rather than trusting the LORD, Ephraim sought security in Assyria (2 Kings 17:3-4; Hosea 5:13). • Political deals replaced covenant faithfulness to God (Deuteronomy 17:16). • Alliances with pagan powers never stayed neutral; they drew Israel deeper into idolatry (2 Kings 16:7-10). • The gesture exposed fear of men over fear of God (Isaiah 31:1). and sends olive oil to Egypt Olive oil, a prized export, became a bribe for Egypt’s protection (Isaiah 30:2-6; Jeremiah 2:18). • Splitting allegiance between two rival empires—Assyria and Egypt—showed spiritual adultery (1 Kings 18:21). • Lavishing resources on foreign nations robbed what belonged to worship and care for the needy at home (Malachi 3:8-9). • Instead of offering firstfruits to the LORD (Deuteronomy 26:1-11), they poured blessings into the hands of unbelievers, hoping to buy peace. summary Hosea 12:1 exposes Israel’s futile quest for security apart from God. Feeding on wind, chasing a scorching east wind, multiplying deceit and cruelty, cutting deals with Assyria, and bribing Egypt—all illustrate a nation refusing the only Source of life. The verse warns that every alternative to wholehearted trust in the LORD is empty, destructive, and morally corrosive, while reminding believers today that true sustenance, protection, and peace are found solely in covenant faithfulness to Him. XII.(1) East wind.--Comp. Isaiah 27:8 and Job 27:21. On the latter passage Wetzstein remarks:--"This wind is more frequent in winter and early spring, when, if it continues long, the tender vegetation is parched up, and a year of famine follows. Both man and beast feel sickly while it prevails." Hence, that which is unpleasant and revolting in life is compared by Orientals to the east wind. The idea expressed by the east wind here is the same as in Job 15:2, combining the notions of destructiveness and emptiness. The covenant with Assyria refers to the events of the reign of Hoshea. Covenants with Assyria, and presents to Egypt were to Hosea curses in disguise. (See Note on Hosea 7:11.) Verse 1. - 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 (1) to pursue vain hopes and ideals which are unattainable. According to this view, the prominent idea of the east wind is its fleetness, which passed into a proverb; thus Horace says, "Agents nimbos Oeior Euro." To outrun the swift and stormy east wind would represent an undertaking at once impracticable and hopeless. But (2) it is rather the blasting influence of the east wind that is referred to, so that it is a figurative representation, not so much of what is vain and hopeless, as of what is pernicious and destructive. Thus their course was not only idle, but injurious; not only delusive, but destructive; not only fruitless, but fatal. Their career, which is thus represented, included their idolatry and foreign alliances Kimchi explains this clause as follows: "In his service of the calves he is like him who opens his mouth to the wind and feeds on it, though he cannot support life thereby." And followeth after the east wind; ' he repeats the sense in different words, and mentions the east wind because it is the strongest and most injurious of winds to the sons of men. So with them: it is not enough that the idolatry of the calves does not profit them, but it actually injures them." . . . Hebrew Ephraimאֶפְרַ֜יִם (’ep̄·ra·yim) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory chases רֹעֶ֥ה (rō·‘eh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with the wind ר֙וּחַ֙ (rū·aḥ) Noun - common singular Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit and pursues וְרֹדֵ֣ף (wə·rō·ḏêp̄) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute the east wind קָדִ֔ים (qā·ḏîm) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6921: The fore, front part, the East all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every day long; הַיּ֕וֹם (hay·yō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day he multiplies יַרְבֶּ֑ה (yar·beh) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great lies כָּזָ֥ב (kā·zāḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3577: A lie, falsehood, deceptive thing and violence; וָשֹׁ֖ד (wā·šōḏ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7701: Violence, havoc, devastation, ruin he makes יִכְרֹ֔תוּ (yiḵ·rō·ṯū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant a covenant וּבְרִית֙ (ū·ḇə·rîṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1285: A covenant with עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition Strong's 5973: With, equally with Assyria אַשּׁ֣וּר (’aš·šūr) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 804: Ashshur and sends יוּבָֽל׃ (yū·ḇāl) Verb - Hofal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2986: To conduct, bear along olive oil וְשֶׁ֖מֶן (wə·še·men) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8081: Grease, liquid, richness to Egypt. לְמִצְרַ֥יִם (lə·miṣ·ra·yim) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa Links Hosea 12:1 NIVHosea 12:1 NLT Hosea 12:1 ESV Hosea 12:1 NASB Hosea 12:1 KJV Hosea 12:1 BibleApps.com Hosea 12:1 Biblia Paralela Hosea 12:1 Chinese Bible Hosea 12:1 French Bible Hosea 12:1 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Hosea 12:1 Ephraim feeds on wind and chases (Ho Hs Hos.) |
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