Hosea 12:4

2 “The^a Lord also brings a charge against Judah,
And will punish Jacob according to his ways;
According to his deeds He will recompense him.

3 He took his brother ^aby the heel in the womb,
And in his strength he ^bstruggled with God.

4 Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed;
He wept, and sought favor from Him.
He found Him in ^aBethel,
And there He spoke to us—

5 That is, the Lord God of hosts.
The Lord is His ^amemorable name.

6 ^aSo you, by the help of your God, return;
Observe mercy and justice,
And wait on your God continually.

7 “A cunning¹ Canaanite!
^aDeceitful scales are in his hand;
He loves to oppress.

8 And Ephraim said,
^a‘Surely I have become rich,
I have found wealth for myself;
In all my labors
They shall find in me no iniquity that is sin.’

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
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What Does Hosea 12:4 Mean?

Hosea 12:3-4

The prophet Hosea gives us a cameo that insightfully contrasts the combative, self-reliant, competitive supplanter, Jacob, with the overcomer he became, Israel. Hosea completes the picture Moses sketches in Genesis: Jacob wept, humbly begging God's favor. Jacob's experience in Bethel, where God changed his name, as well as his earlier experience in Peniel, where God wrestled with him, were milestones on his road to conversion. God understood that Jacob was bent on prevailing, that he was an overcomer. His new name, meaning "He prevails with God," was apt indeed!

Charles Whitaker
The Israel of God

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