Charles Ellicott Commentary Hosea 11:12

"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." — Hosea 11:12 (ASV)

Should stand as the first verse of Hosea 12:0, just as in the Hebrew text. The rest of the prophecy appears as a distinct composition, a new commencement of judgment and incrimination, followed at last by one more utterance of Divine promise.

The rendering of the latter part of the verse in the English version was that of the Jewish scholars who saw here a reference to the reign of Hezekiah, but it is opposed to the mention of the controversy with Judah in Hosea 12:3.

Accordingly, the rendering adopted by Ewald, Wünsche, Nowack, and others is more probable: And Judah still roves unbridled towards God, and towards the faithful Holy One. This rendering contrasts Judah’s inconstancy with the faithfulness of God.

The plural form, the Holy Ones, may, like the plural forms, Elohîm and Adonîm, suggest personalities within the substance of deity.

The Septuagint seems to indicate that we have not the right Hebrew text here.