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Ephraim compasses me about with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah yet rules with God, and is faithful with the Holy One.
Verse Takeaways
1
God Sees Through Insincerity
Commentators stress that Ephraim's (Israel's) sin wasn't just occasional lying, but an entire religious system that "encompassed" God with falsehood. Scholars like Albert Barnes and John Calvin explain that half-hearted worship, insincere prayers, and repentance for show are not merely imperfect; God sees them as complete deceit. All half-belief is unbelief, and God cannot be fooled by outward appearances when the heart is far from Him.
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Book Overview
Hosea
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8
18th Century
Presbyterian
Ephraim encompasses Me with lies - Having spoken of future repentance, conversion, and restoration, he turns back to those around him and de…
19th Century
Anglican
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 commen…
Baptist
They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, says the LORD. Ephr…
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16th Century
Protestant
I will not pause now to recite the opinions of others, nor does it seem necessary. I might indeed have referred in the last verse to what some say …
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Ephraim compasses me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit Here proper…
God is slow to anger and is unwilling to abandon a people to utter ruin who have been called by His name. When God was to give a sacrifice for sin …
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