Hosea 10:12

Authorized King James Version

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
זִרְע֨וּ
H2232
Sow
to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
#2
לָכֶ֤ם
H0
#3
לִצְדָקָה֙
H6666
to yourselves in righteousness
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
#4
קִצְר֣וּ
H7114
reap
to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
#5
לְפִי
H6310
in
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
#6
חֶ֔סֶד
H2617
mercy
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
#7
נִ֥ירוּ
H5214
break up
to till the soil
#8
לָכֶ֖ם
H0
#9
נִ֑יר
H5215
your fallow ground
properly, plowing, i.e., (concretely) freshly plowed land
#10
וְעֵת֙
H6256
for it is time
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
#11
לִדְר֣וֹשׁ
H1875
to seek
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
#12
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
יְהוָ֔ה
H3068
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#14
עַד
H5704
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#15
יָב֕וֹא
H935
till he come
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#16
וְיֹרֶ֥ה
H3384
and rain
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
#17
צֶ֖דֶק
H6664
righteousness
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
#18
לָכֶֽם׃
H0

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing righteousness contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood righteousness. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection