Hosea 12:2

Authorized King James Version

The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְרִ֥יב
hath also a controversy
a contest (personal or legal)
#2
לַֽיהוָ֖ה
The LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
עִם
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
#4
יְהוּדָ֑ה
with Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#5
וְלִפְקֹ֤ד
and will punish
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#6
עַֽל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
יַעֲקֹב֙
Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#8
כִּדְרָכָ֔יו
according to his ways
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#9
כְּמַעֲלָלָ֖יו
according to his doings
an act (good or bad)
#10
יָשִׁ֥יב
will he recompense
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#11
לֽוֹ׃
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 divine sovereignty 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 divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection