Hosea 11:12

“Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit, etc.] Here properly we should begin a new chapter, as many interpreters and commentators do; for the prophet, or the Lord by him, in (<281111>Hosea 11:11), having finished his predictions concerning the call and conversion of the Israelites, and their return to their land, here begins a new discourse, by comparing the characters of Ephraim and Judah, and thence descends to the sins and punishment of both. The former, namely, Ephraim or Israel, that is, the ten tribes, surrounded either the prophet, to hear him prophesy, and professed a great regard to what he said; though it was all deceit and flattery: or rather the…”

“MAURER joins this verse with the twelfth chapter. But as this verse praises Judah, whereas Hos 12:2 censures him, it must belong rather to the eleventh chapter and a new prophecy begins at the twelfth chapter. To avoid this, MAURER translates this verse as a censure, "Judah wanders with God," that is, though having the true God, he wanders after false gods. ruleth with God--to serve God is to reign. Ephraim wished to rule without God (compare Co1 4:8); nay, even, in order to rule, cast off God's worship [RIVETUS]. In Judah was the legitimate succession of kings and priests. with the saints--the holy priests and Levites [RIVETUS]. With the fathers and prophets who handed down the pure worship…”

“Ephraim compasseth Me about with lies - Having spoken of future repentance, conversion, restoration, he turns back to those around him, and declares why they can have no share in that restoration. Nothing about them was true. If ever they approached God, it was “with lies.” : “God, being infinite, cannot really be “compassed about.” The prophet so speaks, to describe the “great multitude of those who thus lied to God, and the multitude and manifoldness of their lies. Wherever God looked, in all parts of their kingdom, in all their doings, all which He could see was lying to Himself.” All was, as it were, one throng of lies, heaped on one another, jostling with one another. Such is the world…”

“Ephraim - Most of the people of Israel. With lies - Play the hypocrite with me still. Judah - The two tribes. Yet ruleth - While idolaters are slaves to the devil, the true worshippers of God, like princes, rule with God. Faithful - Retains purity, at least truth of worship, and comparatively is faithful. Judah adheres to God's holy prophets, priests, and other saints of God. Next: Hosea Chapter 12”

“11:12–12:14 Israel had perpetrated lies and deceit since the time of Jacob.”

“compasseth: Hos 7:16, Hos 12:1, Hos 12:7; Psa 78:36; Isa 29:13, Isa 44:20, Isa 59:3, Isa 59:4; Mic 6:12 Judah: Hos 4:15; Kg2 18:4-7; 2Chr. 29:1-32:33 ruleth: Gen 32:28; Co1 6:2; Rev 1:6, Rev 3:21, Rev 5:10 saints: or, most holy Next: Hosea Chapter 12”