Hosea 12:13

Authorized King James Version

And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּבְנָבִ֖יא
And by a prophet
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#2
הֶעֱלָ֧ה
brought
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#3
יְהוָ֛ה
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#5
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#6
מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם
out of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
#7
וּבְנָבִ֖יא
And by a prophet
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#8
נִשְׁמָֽר׃
was he preserved
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Hosea. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Hosea Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection