The Meaning of Hosea 12:3 Explained

Hosea 12:3

KJV: He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:

YLT: In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And by his strength he was a prince with God,

Darby: He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength he wrestled with God.

ASV: In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he had power with God:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He took his brother  by the heel  in the womb,  and by his strength  he had power  with God: 

What does Hosea 12:3 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The Lord described the ancestor of these kingdoms further. Jacob grasped his brother"s heel while he was still in the womb of his mother Rebekah ( Genesis 25:26). This was a preview of the grasping character that marked him all his life (cf. Genesis 27:35-36). In later life he also continued to contend with God. These references to the early and later life of Jacob picture him as being a contentious person all his life. [1] Other interpreters thought Hosea used this characteristic of Jacob as a positive example for his hearers and readers. [2] They took it as an indication of Jacob"s desire to obtain the promised blessings.

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 12:3 mean?

In the womb He took by the heel - his brother and in his strength he struggled with God
בַּבֶּ֖טֶן עָקַ֣ב אֶת־ אָחִ֑יו וּבְאוֹנ֖וֹ שָׂרָ֥ה אֶת־ אֱלֹהִֽים

בַּבֶּ֖טֶן  In  the  womb 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: בֶּטֶן  
Sense: belly, womb, body.
עָקַ֣ב  He  took  by  the  heel 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: עָקַב  
Sense: to supplant, circumvent, take by the heel, follow at the heel, assail insidiously, overreach.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
אָחִ֑יו  his  brother 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אָח  
Sense: brother.
וּבְאוֹנ֖וֹ  and  in  his  strength 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: אֹון  
Sense: vigour, generative power.
שָׂרָ֥ה  he  struggled 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שָׂרָה  
Sense: contend, have power, contend with, persist, exert oneself, persevere.
אֱלֹהִֽים  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).

What are the major concepts related to Hosea 12:3?

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