Hosea 12:11

Authorized King James Version

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Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

Original Language Analysis

אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 1 of 15
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
גִּלְעָ֥ד in Gilead H1568
גִּלְעָ֥ד in Gilead
Strong's: H1568
Word #: 2 of 15
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
אָ֙וֶן֙ Is there iniquity H205
אָ֙וֶן֙ Is there iniquity
Strong's: H205
Word #: 3 of 15
strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
אַךְ H389
אַךְ
Strong's: H389
Word #: 4 of 15
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
שָׁ֣וְא surely they are vanity H7723
שָׁ֣וְא surely they are vanity
Strong's: H7723
Word #: 5 of 15
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
הָי֔וּ H1961
הָי֔וּ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 6 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַּגִּלְגָּ֖ל in Gilgal H1537
בַּגִּלְגָּ֖ל in Gilgal
Strong's: H1537
Word #: 7 of 15
gilgal, the name of three places in palestine
שְׁוָרִ֣ים bullocks H7794
שְׁוָרִ֣ים bullocks
Strong's: H7794
Word #: 8 of 15
a bullock (as a traveller)
זִבֵּ֑חוּ they sacrifice H2076
זִבֵּ֑חוּ they sacrifice
Strong's: H2076
Word #: 9 of 15
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
גַּ֤ם H1571
גַּ֤ם
Strong's: H1571
Word #: 10 of 15
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
מִזְבְּחוֹתָם֙ yea their altars H4196
מִזְבְּחוֹתָם֙ yea their altars
Strong's: H4196
Word #: 11 of 15
an altar
כְּגַלִּ֔ים are as heaps H1530
כְּגַלִּ֔ים are as heaps
Strong's: H1530
Word #: 12 of 15
something rolled, i.e., a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves)
עַ֖ל H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 13 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
תַּלְמֵ֥י in the furrows H8525
תַּלְמֵ֥י in the furrows
Strong's: H8525
Word #: 14 of 15
a bank or terrace
שָׂדָֽי׃ of the fields H7704
שָׂדָֽי׃ of the fields
Strong's: H7704
Word #: 15 of 15
a field (as flat)

Analysis & Commentary

Gilead iniquity, Gilgal sacrifice: 'Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.' Rhetorical question: is there אָוֶן (aven, iniquity) in Gilead? Answer: surely שָׁוְא (shav, vanity/worthlessness). At Gilgal they sacrifice שְׁוָרִים (shevarim, bulls); their altars like גַּלִּים (gallim, heaps) in furrows. This demonstrates multiplied false worship: geographic breadth (Gilead, Gilgal) and numeric excess (altars like stone heaps). More religion without true relationship intensifies guilt. Only Christ's once-for-all sacrifice ends need for multiplied altars (Hebrews 10:10-14).

Historical Context

Gilead (Trans-Jordan territory) and Gilgal (Jordan Valley site) both became centers of false worship despite originally significant in redemptive history. Gilead was Israelite territory; Gilgal site of covenant renewal (Joshua 4-5). Archaeological evidence shows cultic activity at both locations. The 'altars like heaps' suggests ubiquitous high places—every field had altar, every town worship site. This proliferation, rather than demonstrating devotion, revealed confusion and syncretism. Hosea earlier condemned Gilgal (4:15, 9:15). This demonstrates that multiplying religious sites/activities apart from true covenant relationship compounds rather than resolves guilt.

Questions for Reflection