The Meaning of Hosea 12:10 Explained

Hosea 12:10

KJV: I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

YLT: And I have spoken unto the prophets, And I have multiplied vision, And by the hand of the prophets I use similes.

Darby: And I have spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and by means of the prophets have I used similitudes.

ASV: I have also spoken unto the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

I have also spoken  by the prophets,  and I have multiplied  visions,  and used similitudes,  by the ministry  of the prophets. 

What does Hosea 12:10 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The Lord also reminded them that He had spoken to them through prophets many times (cf. Hosea 9:7; Hosea 11:2). He had given the prophets visions, and they had taught their lessons to the Israelites. Nevertheless in spite of so many exhortations to return to the Lord the people had not responded.

Context Summary

Hosea 12:1-14 - Turn To God, Not To Selfish Gain
Though Judah still ruled with God, Hosea 11:12, yet there was grave fault in him, and, like Ephraim, which had been engaging the prophet's thought, he also must come under the rod. But throughout this paragraph there lingers the sweet music of the previous chapter, and especially the reminiscence of Israel's early days, when he had power with the Angel and prevailed. The angel-haunted ideals and resolves of Beth-el could not be forgotten. Tears and weakness are the best arguments with God. He yields to us when we are weak; He yields to our despair. The soul that has been shut up to God and then casts itself at His feet can have what it will. Only beware lest after such an interview with the Angel, you deteriorate into a deceitful trafficker, and allow your God-given power to be reduced to making gain.
Notwithstanding all, God was still willing to call His people to the Feast of Tabernacles, the gladdest of all the feasts in the Hebrew year. But even divine love was thwarted by their inveterate sinning. How wonderfully these ancient prophets conceived of the love of God! The spirit of revelation led them to make declarations that the Cross has more than realized! [source]

Chapter Summary: Hosea 12

1  A reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob
3  By former favors he exhorts to repentance
7  Ephraim's sins provoke God

What do the individual words in Hosea 12:10 mean?

And I have spoken by the prophets and I visions have multiplied and through the witness of the prophets I have given symbols
וְדִבַּ֙רְתִּי֙ עַל־ הַנְּבִיאִ֔ים וְאָנֹכִ֖י חָז֣וֹן הִרְבֵּ֑יתִי וּבְיַ֥ד הַנְּבִיאִ֖ים אֲדַמֶּֽה

וְדִבַּ֙רְתִּי֙  And  I  have  spoken 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Conjunctive perfect, first person common singular
Root: דָּבַר 
Sense: to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing.
הַנְּבִיאִ֔ים  the  prophets 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: נָבִיא  
Sense: spokesman, speaker, prophet.
וְאָנֹכִ֖י  and  I 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, first person common singular
Root: אָנׄכִי  
Sense: I (first pers.
חָז֣וֹן  visions 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: חָזׄון  
Sense: vision.
הִרְבֵּ֑יתִי  have  multiplied 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: הַרְבָּה 
Sense: be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous.
וּבְיַ֥ד  and  through  the  witness 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.
הַנְּבִיאִ֖ים  of  the  prophets 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: נָבִיא  
Sense: spokesman, speaker, prophet.
אֲדַמֶּֽה  I  have  given  symbols 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: דָּמָה  
Sense: to be like, resemble.