Hosea 12:2

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

וְרִ֥יב hath also a controversy H7379
וְרִ֥יב hath also a controversy
Strong's: H7379
Word #: 1 of 11
a contest (personal or legal)
לַֽיהוָ֖ה The LORD H3068
לַֽיהוָ֖ה The LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עִם H5973
עִם
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 3 of 11
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
יְהוּדָ֑ה with Judah H3063
יְהוּדָ֑ה with Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 4 of 11
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְלִפְקֹ֤ד and will punish H6485
וְלִפְקֹ֤ד and will punish
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 5 of 11
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עַֽל H5921
עַֽל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 6 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יַעֲקֹב֙ Jacob H3290
יַעֲקֹב֙ Jacob
Strong's: H3290
Word #: 7 of 11
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
כִּדְרָכָ֔יו according to his ways H1870
כִּדְרָכָ֔יו according to his ways
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 8 of 11
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
כְּמַעֲלָלָ֖יו according to his doings H4611
כְּמַעֲלָלָ֖יו according to his doings
Strong's: H4611
Word #: 9 of 11
an act (good or bad)
יָשִׁ֥יב will he recompense H7725
יָשִׁ֥יב will he recompense
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 10 of 11
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לֽוֹ׃ H0
לֽוֹ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 11 of 11

Analysis & Commentary

Controversy with Judah: 'The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.' YHWH has רִיב (riv, lawsuit/controversy) with Judah; will פָּקַד (paqad, visit/punish) Jacob according to ways and doings. This demonstrates God's impartiality: both Israel and Judah face judgment for covenant breach. Neither tribal identity nor Davidic heritage exempts from accountability. Perfect justice recompenses all according to deeds (Romans 2:6-11). Only Christ's righteousness imputed saves (Philippians 3:9).

Historical Context

While Hosea primarily addresses northern Israel (Ephraim), he includes warnings to Judah (1:7, 4:15, 5:5,10,12-14, 6:4,11). Both kingdoms violated covenant; both faced judgment—Israel immediately (722 BC), Judah later (586 BC). The reference to 'Jacob' (covenant name including all twelve tribes) emphasizes collective guilt. Judah couldn't presume on Davidic covenant while violating Sinai covenant. Archaeological evidence shows Judah's worship also compromised despite Jerusalem temple. This demonstrates that privilege increases accountability—greater revelation demands greater obedience (Luke 12:48).

Questions for Reflection