Hosea 12:1

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

אֶפְרַ֜יִם Ephraim H669
אֶפְרַ֜יִם Ephraim
Strong's: H669
Word #: 1 of 17
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
רֹעֶ֥ה feedeth H7462
רֹעֶ֥ה feedeth
Strong's: H7462
Word #: 2 of 17
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
ר֙וּחַ֙ on wind H7307
ר֙וּחַ֙ on wind
Strong's: H7307
Word #: 3 of 17
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
וְרֹדֵ֣ף and followeth H7291
וְרֹדֵ֣ף and followeth
Strong's: H7291
Word #: 4 of 17
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
קָדִ֔ים after the east wind H6921
קָדִ֔ים after the east wind
Strong's: H6921
Word #: 5 of 17
the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיּ֕וֹם he daily H3117
הַיּ֕וֹם he daily
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 7 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
כָּזָ֥ב lies H3577
כָּזָ֥ב lies
Strong's: H3577
Word #: 8 of 17
falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol)
וָשֹׁ֖ד and desolation H7701
וָשֹׁ֖ד and desolation
Strong's: H7701
Word #: 9 of 17
violence, ravage
יַרְבֶּ֑ה increaseth H7235
יַרְבֶּ֑ה increaseth
Strong's: H7235
Word #: 10 of 17
to increase (in whatever respect)
וּבְרִית֙ a covenant H1285
וּבְרִית֙ a covenant
Strong's: H1285
Word #: 11 of 17
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
עִם H5973
עִם
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 12 of 17
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
אַשּׁ֣וּר with the Assyrians H804
אַשּׁ֣וּר with the Assyrians
Strong's: H804
Word #: 13 of 17
ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire
יִכְרֹ֔תוּ and they do make H3772
יִכְרֹ֔תוּ and they do make
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 14 of 17
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
וְשֶׁ֖מֶן and oil H8081
וְשֶׁ֖מֶן and oil
Strong's: H8081
Word #: 15 of 17
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
לְמִצְרַ֥יִם into Egypt H4714
לְמִצְרַ֥יִם into Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 16 of 17
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
יוּבָֽל׃ is carried H2986
יוּבָֽל׃ is carried
Strong's: H2986
Word #: 17 of 17
properly, to flow; causatively, to bring (especially with pomp)

Analysis & Commentary

Feeding on wind: '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.' Ephraim רֹעֶה רוּחַ (ro'eh ruach, shepherding/feeding on wind), pursuing קָדִים (qadim, east wind—hot, destructive sirocco). Daily increasing כָּזָב וָשֹׁד (kazav vashod, lies and violence). Making covenant with Assyria while sending שֶׁמֶן (shemen, oil—tribute/bribe) to Egypt. This demonstrates futility: pursuing worthless things (wind), trusting conflicting alliances. Only Christ provides substantial, satisfying food (John 6:35).

Historical Context

Israel's diplomatic duplicity—courting both Assyria and Egypt—characterized final years. Menahem paid Assyria (2 Kings 15:19-20), Hoshea swore loyalty then secretly appealed to Egypt (2 Kings 17:4). 'Oil to Egypt' represents tribute/gifts. The 'east wind' brings scorching heat, withering crops—perfect metaphor for destructive alliances. Archaeological evidence confirms olive oil as valuable trade commodity. This diplomatic double-dealing proved disastrous: trusting neither partner, pleasing neither, ultimately destroyed by both. This demonstrates that duplicity and alliance-mongering apart from God produces destruction. Jesus teaches serving two masters is impossible (Matthew 6:24).

Questions for Reflection