When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto the Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
Yet I taught Ephraim to go; I took them on my arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat before them.
He shall not return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
And the sword shall fall upon his cities, and shall consume his bars, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they call them to him that is on high, none at all will exalt him.
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my compassions are kindled together.
I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
They shall walk after the LORD, who shall roar like a lion: for he shall roar, and the children shall come trembling from the west.
They shall come trembling as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will make them to dwell in their houses, saith the LORD.
Ephraim compasseth me about with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the Holy One.
Canonical academic citations for Hosea 11 (ERV) — copy in your preferred format.
Hosea 11 (ERV). Prime Bible, accessed July 24, 2026. https://primebible.com/erv/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.