When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto the Baals, and burned incense to graven images.
And I it was that taught Ephraim to walk, He took them upon his arms, but they knew not that I healed them.
I drew them with bands of a man, with cords of love; and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I gently caused them to eat.
He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king; for they refused to return to me;
and the sword shall turn about in his cities, and shall consume his bars, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
Yea, my people are bent upon backsliding from me: though they call them to the Most High, none at all exalteth him.
How shall I give thee over, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee up, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God, and not man, the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not come in anger.
They shall walk after Jehovah; he shall roar like a lion; when he shall roar, then the children shall hasten from the west:
they shall hasten as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will cause them to dwell in their houses, saith Jehovah.
Ephraim encompasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah yet walketh with God, and with the holy things of truth.
Canonical academic citations for Hosea 11 (DBT) — copy in your preferred format.
Hosea 11 (DBT). Prime Bible, accessed August 23, 2026. https://primebible.com/dbt/hosea/11.
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God’s father-love (calling Israel from Egypt) is met with Baal worship; compassion struggles with justice, yet He will roar to bring His children home, for He is God, not man.
Marriage metaphor portrays Israel's unfaithfulness and God's persistent love.
Hosea 11 is presented with the full Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and verse-by-verse cross-references on Prime Bible — a free, nonprofit Bible study platform.