Hosea 12:7

Authorized King James Version

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He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

Original Language Analysis

כְּנַ֗עַן He is a merchant H3667
כְּנַ֗עַן He is a merchant
Strong's: H3667
Word #: 1 of 6
kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him
בְּיָד֛וֹ are in his hand H3027
בְּיָד֛וֹ are in his hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 2 of 6
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
מֹאזְנֵ֥י the balances H3976
מֹאזְנֵ֥י the balances
Strong's: H3976
Word #: 3 of 6
(only in the dual) a pair of scales
מִרְמָ֖ה of deceit H4820
מִרְמָ֖ה of deceit
Strong's: H4820
Word #: 4 of 6
fraud
לַעֲשֹׁ֥ק to oppress H6231
לַעֲשֹׁ֥ק to oppress
Strong's: H6231
Word #: 5 of 6
to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
אָהֵֽב׃ he loveth H157
אָהֵֽב׃ he loveth
Strong's: H157
Word #: 6 of 6
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

Cross References

Proverbs 11:1A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.Isaiah 3:5And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.Proverbs 16:11A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.Zechariah 14:21Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.John 2:16And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.James 5:4Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.Amos 5:11Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.Amos 3:9Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof.Amos 4:1Hear this word, ye kine of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.Amos 2:7That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name:

Analysis & Commentary

Merchant with false balances: 'He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.' The accusation: כְּנַעַן (Kena'an, Canaanite/merchant—pun on 'Canaan'), holding מֹאזְנֵי מִרְמָה (mozenei mirmah, balances of deceit). He loves עָשַׁק (ashaq, to oppress/defraud). This demonstrates commercial corruption: dishonest weights, exploitative practices. Deuteronomy forbids false balances (Deuteronomy 25:13-16). Amos similarly condemns (Amos 8:5). Only Christ brings honest dealing and justice (Revelation 19:11).

Historical Context

The wordplay Kena'an (Canaanite/merchant) suggests Israel becoming like pagan traders—adopting corrupt practices rather than maintaining covenant ethics. False balances allowed merchants to cheat: light weights when buying, heavy when selling. Archaeological discoveries include ancient weights showing manipulation attempts. Proverbs repeatedly condemns false balances (Proverbs 11:1, 16:11, 20:10,23). This demonstrates that economic justice is covenant requirement—God cares about marketplace ethics. Prophets consistently link religious apostasy with commercial corruption. Church history shows similar pattern: spiritual decline often accompanies economic exploitation.

Questions for Reflection