Paragraph 12:2–6

In this paragraph and also in 12:12, Hosea gives examples from the life of Jacob. Scholars do not agree on the purpose of the examples. There are two main views:

(1) These examples show the similarity between Jacob and his descendants. Jacob set a bad example and his descendants followed it.

(2) These examples show the contrast between Jacob and his descendants. Jacob set a good example but his descendants did not follow it.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Hosea 12:2 says that the LORD will punish Jacob according to his ways. Examples from Jacob’s life immediately follow in 12:3. It is reasonable to assume that these are examples of behavior or character traits that deserve punishment. Most versions and commentaries support this interpretation. For more details, see the following notes on these verses.

12:2a–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

2a
The Lord also brings a charge against Judah.

2b
He will punish Jacob according to his ways

2c and repay him according to his deeds.

There is an ellipsis in the third line. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from the second line. For example:

2c and ⌊He will ⌋ repay him according to his deeds

In these lines, Hosea tells the descendants of Jacob that the LORD will punish them. The first line is a general statement. The second and third lines give more detail. He includes the people of Judah and the people of Israel. He will punish them fairly, just as they deserve.

12:2a

The LORD also brings a charge against Judah: Here Judah is parallel with “Jacob” in line 2b. This line is a figure of speech (synecdoche) in which Judah refers to all the descendants of Jacob. So the charge against the southern kingdom of Judah is also a charge against the northern kingdom of Israel.

charge: The Hebrew word means “to fight with words,” as in a quarrel or a legal case. The same word is used in Hosea 4:1, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “case.” In both verses, some English versions use an expression that refers to an actual trial. For example:

The Lord also has a covenant lawsuit against Judah (NET Bible)

But this verse may refer to an informal accusation. If possible, use a general expression that could be understood as either a formal or an informal accusation. For example:

The Lord has an accusation to bring against the people of Judah (Good News Translation)

12:2b

He will punish Jacob according to his ways: This clause means that the LORD will punish Jacob fairly. The expression punish…according to his ways indicates the degree or extent of punishment. The punishment will be exactly what people deserve. It will not be too much or too little. The expression his ways refers to his sinful conduct. Here are some other ways to translate this expression:

he will punish Jacob as his conduct merits (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
He is about to punish Jacob for all his deceitful ways (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
punishes Jacob because of the way their people act (God’s Word)

Jacob: Jacob is the ancestor of the people of Israel and Judah. But here Jacob is a figure of speech (metonymy) in which the name represents all his descendants. Some versions make this meaning explicit. For example:

the descendants of Jacob (Contemporary English Version)

12:2c

and repay him according to his deeds: The meaning of this line is very similar to 2b. The Hebrew word for repay means “to give back.” Here the word deeds refers to wicked actions. This line describes the LORD’s punishment of the people of Israel. As in the previous line, the expression according to his deeds means that the extent of the LORD’s punishment will be exactly what the descendants of Jacob deserve. Here are some other ways to translate this line:

he will give them what they deserve (New Century Version)
-or-
he will repay him as his deeds deserve (New Jerusalem Bible)

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