Hosea 11:3

Authorized King James Version

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I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

Original Language Analysis

וְאָנֹכִ֤י H595
וְאָנֹכִ֤י
Strong's: H595
Word #: 1 of 10
i
תִרְגַּ֙לְתִּי֙ I taught H8637
תִרְגַּ֙לְתִּי֙ I taught
Strong's: H8637
Word #: 2 of 10
to cause to walk
לְאֶפְרַ֔יִם Ephraim H669
לְאֶפְרַ֔יִם Ephraim
Strong's: H669
Word #: 3 of 10
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
קָחָ֖ם taking H3947
קָחָ֖ם taking
Strong's: H3947
Word #: 4 of 10
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 5 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
זְרֽוֹעֹתָ֑יו them by their arms H2220
זְרֽוֹעֹתָ֑יו them by their arms
Strong's: H2220
Word #: 6 of 10
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
וְלֹ֥א H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 7 of 10
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדְע֖וּ but they knew H3045
יָדְע֖וּ but they knew
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 8 of 10
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 9 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רְפָאתִֽים׃ not that I healed H7495
רְפָאתִֽים׃ not that I healed
Strong's: H7495
Word #: 10 of 10
properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure

Cross References

Jeremiah 30:17For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.Deuteronomy 1:31And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.Exodus 15:26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.Hosea 7:15Though I have bound and strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against me.Isaiah 46:3Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:Isaiah 63:9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.Isaiah 30:26Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.Acts 13:18And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.Exodus 23:25And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.Hosea 7:1When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without.

Analysis & Commentary

Teaching to walk: 'I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.' Tender imagery: God teaching (תִּרְגַּלְתִּי, tirgalti) Ephraim to walk, holding זְרוֹעֹתָם (zero'otam, their arms) like parent with toddler. Yet לֹא יָדְעוּ כִּי רְפָאתִים (lo yade'u ki refatim, they knew not that I healed them). This demonstrates divine parental care: teaching, supporting, healing—yet unrecognized and unappreciated. The ignorance is willful: refusing to acknowledge benefactor. Only Spirit-opened eyes recognize God's faithful care (Ephesians 1:18).

Historical Context

The imagery recalls exodus and wilderness period: God teaching infant nation to walk in covenant faithfulness, supporting them through difficulties, healing their diseases (Exodus 15:26). Yet Israel attributed blessings to Baal (2:5,8) or their own strength—not recognizing YHWH's providential care. This ingratitude characterizes fallen humanity: receiving divine gifts daily while denying Giver (Romans 1:21). Archaeological and historical evidence shows Israel's prosperity and survival despite their unfaithfulness—entirely due to God's covenant faithfulness, yet unacknowledged by them. This demonstrates that recognizing divine blessing requires spiritual sight, not merely experiencing blessing.

Questions for Reflection