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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Hosea 12:6 But you must return to your God, maintaining love and justice, and always waiting on your God.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hosea/12-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/28_Hos_12_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hosea 12:6 - A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, Jacob" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But you must return to your God, maintaining love and justice, and always waiting on your God." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/hosea/12-6.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/hosea/12-6.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/hosea/">Hosea</a> > <a href="/hosea/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 6</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/hosea/12-5.htm" title="Hosea 12:5">◄</a> Hosea 12:6 <a href="/hosea/12-7.htm" title="Hosea 12:7">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/hosea/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/hosea/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/hosea/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So now, come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/hosea/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/hosea/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and always wait on your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/hosea/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/hosea/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So you, by <i>the help of</i> your God, return; Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/hosea/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So as for you, return to your God, Maintain kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/hosea/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/hosea/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/hosea/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Therefore, return to your God, Keep lovingkindness and justice, And hope in your God continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/hosea/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Therefore, return [in repentance] to your God, Observe <i>and</i> highly regard kindness and justice, And wait [expectantly] for your God continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/hosea/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But you must return to your God. Maintain love and justice, and always put your hope in God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/hosea/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But you must return to your God. Maintain love and justice, and always put your hope in God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/hosea/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep kindness and justice, and wait for thy God continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/hosea/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So return to your God. Patiently trust him, and show love and justice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/hosea/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/hosea/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Return to your God. Be loyal and fair, and always wait with hope for your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/hosea/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So now, descendants of Jacob, trust in your God and return to him. Be loyal and just, and wait patiently for your God to act. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/hosea/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So you, return to your God; guard grace and justice, and look to your God always.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/hosea/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and always wait on your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/hosea/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But you must return to your God, by maintaining love and justice, and by waiting for your God to return to you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/hosea/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/hosea/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/hosea/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/hosea/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And you, through your God, turn, "" Keep kindness and judgment, "" And wait on your God continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/hosea/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And thou, through thy God, dost turn, Kindness and judgment keep thou, And wait on thy God continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/hosea/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And thou, in thy God thou shalt turn back: watch mercy and judgment, and wait always for thy God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/hosea/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Therefore turn thou to thy God : keep mercy and judgment, and hope in thy God always. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/hosea/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so, you should convert to your God. Keep mercy and judgment, and have hope in your God always.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/hosea/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You must return to your God. Maintain loyalty and justice and always hope in your God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/hosea/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But as for you, return to your God, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/hosea/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Therefore return to your God; keep mercy and justice, and wait for your God continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/hosea/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />But you, return to your God, and keep grace and judgment; expect your God constantly<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/hosea/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Therefore turn thou to thy God; Keep mercy and justice, And wait for thy God continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/hosea/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou therefore shalt return to thy God: keep thou mercy and judgment, and draw nigh to thy God continually.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/hosea/12-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xpPG1oLnpGk?start=1851" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/hosea/12.htm">A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, Jacob</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">5</span>the LORD is the God of Hosts—the LORD is His name of renown. <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: wə·’at·tāh (Conj-w:: Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">But you</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: ṯā·šūḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">must return</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: bê·lō·he·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">to your God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: šə·mōr (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">maintaining</a> <a href="/hebrew/2617.htm" title="2617: ḥe·seḏ (N-ms) -- Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty. From chacad; kindness; by implication piety: rarely reproof, or Beauty.">love</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: ū·miš·pāṭ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Judgment. ">and justice,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8548.htm" title="8548: tā·mîḏ (Adv) -- From an unused root meaning to stretch; properly, continuance; but used only constant; ellipt. The regular sacrifice.">and always</a> <a href="/hebrew/6960.htm" title="6960: wə·qaw·wêh (Conj-w:: V-Piel-Imp-ms) -- To bind together, collect, to expect. A primitive root; to bind together, i.e. Collect; to expect.">waiting</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God.</a> </span><span class="reftext">7</span>A merchant loves to defraud with dishonest scales in his hands.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a></span><br />He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-14.htm">Amos 5:14-15</a></span><br />Seek good, not evil, so that you may live. And the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have claimed. / Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6-7</a></span><br />Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a></span><br />“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/1-3.htm">Zechariah 1:3-4</a></span><br />So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’ / Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Turn now from your evil ways and deeds.’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-1.htm">Jeremiah 4:1-2</a></span><br />“If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” declares the LORD. “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight and no longer waver, / and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-12.htm">Deuteronomy 10:12-13</a></span><br />And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, / and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD that I am giving you this day for your own good?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-3.htm">Psalm 37:3-5</a></span><br />Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. / Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. / Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-4.htm">Psalm 105:4</a></span><br />Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a></span><br />Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a></span><br />But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-40</a></span><br />Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-27.htm">Luke 10:27</a></span><br />He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-30.htm">Mark 12:30-31</a></span><br />Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ / The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1-2</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. / Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Therefore turn you to your God: keep mercy and judgment and wait on your God continually.</p><p class="hdg">turn.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/14-1.htm">Hosea 14:1</a></b></br> O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/1-23.htm">Proverbs 1:23</a></b></br> Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/31-6.htm">Isaiah 31:6</a></b></br> Turn ye unto <i>him from</i> whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.</p><p class="hdg">keep.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1</a></b></br> Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because <i>there is</i> no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm">Proverbs 21:3</a></b></br> To do justice and judgment <i>is</i> more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/1-16.htm">Isaiah 1:16</a></b></br> Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;</p><p class="hdg">wait.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/49-18.htm">Genesis 49:18</a></b></br> I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/27-14.htm">Psalm 27:14</a></b></br> Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/37-7.htm">Psalm 37:7</a></b></br> Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hosea/7-2.htm">Always</a> <a href="/hosea/12-1.htm">Continually</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-33.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/hosea/8-10.htm">Help</a> <a href="/daniel/2-43.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/hosea/10-4.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/hosea/2-19.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Kindness</a> <a href="/hosea/11-4.htm">Love</a> <a href="/daniel/11-20.htm">Maintain</a> <a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/ezekiel/45-21.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/hosea/5-11.htm">Right</a> <a href="/hosea/2-11.htm">Times</a> <a href="/hosea/11-9.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/hosea/7-6.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/hosea/7-6.htm">Waiting</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/6-32.htm">Always</a> <a href="/amos/1-11.htm">Continually</a> <a href="/joel/1-14.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/hosea/13-9.htm">Help</a> <a href="/joel/3-21.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/joel/3-2.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/amos/2-7.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Kindness</a> <a href="/hosea/14-4.htm">Love</a> <a href="/amos/5-15.htm">Maintain</a> <a href="/hosea/14-3.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/hosea/13-7.htm">Observe</a> <a href="/hosea/13-13.htm">Right</a> <a href="/amos/4-9.htm">Times</a> <a href="/hosea/12-9.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/hosea/13-7.htm">Wait</a> <a href="/micah/1-12.htm">Waiting</a><div class="vheading2">Hosea 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/12-1.htm">A reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/12-3.htm">By former favors he exhorts to repentance.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/12-7.htm">Ephraim's sins provoke God.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hosea/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hosea/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hosea/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But you must return to your God;</b><br>This phrase calls for repentance and a return to a covenant relationship with God. In the context of Hosea, Israel is depicted as having strayed from God, engaging in idolatry and injustice. The call to "return" is a recurring theme in the prophetic books, emphasizing God's desire for His people to repent and be restored (e.g., <a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a>). The use of "your God" underscores the personal and covenantal relationship between God and Israel, reminiscent of the covenant at Sinai (<a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Exodus 19:5-6</a>).<p><b>maintain love and justice,</b><br>This phrase highlights two key aspects of God's character that His people are called to emulate. "Love" (Hebrew: "chesed") refers to steadfast love or covenant loyalty, a central theme in the Old Testament, reflecting God's faithful love for His people (<a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>). "Justice" (Hebrew: "mishpat") involves fairness and righteousness in dealing with others, a critical aspect of the Law given to Israel (<a href="/deuteronomy/16-20.htm">Deuteronomy 16:20</a>). The prophets often criticized Israel for failing in these areas, as seen in <a href="/amos/5-24.htm">Amos 5:24</a>, where justice and righteousness are called to "roll on like a river."<p><b>and always wait on your God.</b><br>This phrase encourages a posture of trust and dependence on God. "Waiting" on God involves patience and faith, recognizing His sovereignty and timing (<a href="/psalms/27-14.htm">Psalm 27:14</a>). In the historical context, Israel often turned to foreign alliances and idols for security, rather than trusting in God. This call to "wait" is a reminder of the need for faithfulness and reliance on God alone, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/40-31.htm">Isaiah 40:31</a>, where those who wait on the Lord renew their strength. This waiting is also a type of the Christian hope in Christ's return, where believers are called to live in expectation and readiness (<a href="/titus/2-13.htm">Titus 2:13</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/h/hosea.htm">Hosea</a></b><br>A prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BC, Hosea's ministry focused on calling Israel back to faithfulness to God amidst widespread idolatry and moral decay.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The Northern Kingdom, often referred to as Ephraim in Hosea, which had turned away from God, engaging in idolatry and injustice.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who desires a relationship with His people characterized by love, justice, and faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/return_to_god.htm">Return to God</a></b><br>The call to return to God is a central theme in Hosea. It involves repentance and a renewed commitment to follow Him wholeheartedly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/maintain_love_and_justice.htm">Maintain Love and Justice</a></b><br>Love (Hebrew: "chesed") and justice (Hebrew: "mishpat") are foundational to a life that honors God. Believers are called to embody these attributes in their relationships and communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/waiting_on_god.htm">Waiting on God</a></b><br>Waiting on God involves trust and patience, recognizing His timing and sovereignty in all circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_faithfulness.htm">Covenant Faithfulness</a></b><br>Hosea's message underscores the importance of faithfulness to the covenant relationship with God, which is marked by obedience and devotion.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_righteousness.htm">Practical Righteousness</a></b><br>The call to love and justice is not merely theoretical but requires practical action in daily life, reflecting God's character to the world.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hosea_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hosea 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_history_support_hosea_6's_claims.htm">Does the broader historical and archeological record support Hosea 6's depiction of Israel's quick rebellion and restoration, or does it lack evidence?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_i_do_what_i_don't_want_to.htm">What does 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_highlight_jacob's_aram_flight.htm">Hosea 12:12: Why emphasize Jacob’s flight to Aram when there is little archaeological evidence to confirm such a historical event? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_1_john_4_8_say_'god_is_love'.htm">How can 1 John 4:8 say 'God is love' when the Old Testament shows actions that don't seem loving?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hosea/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) <span class= "bld">Therefore</span> . . .--More correctly, <span class= "ital">But do thou return to thy God.</span> There is an implied contrast between the patriarch and his degenerate descendants in the days of Hosea.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hosea/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.</span> God's character in itself, and his conduct towards the great forefather of the Hebrew race, call at once for confidence and contrition. The evidence of their repentance is twofold: one aspect is manward, consisting of mercy and judgment; the other is Godward, being a constant waiting upon God. The literal rendering brings out the meaning more clearly; it is, "And thou, in [or, 'by'] thy God thou shalt return." If we render the preposition by "in," we may understand it to imply entire dependence on God, or close and cordial fellowship with God; if we take it to mean "by," it signifies the power or help of God; while the return is moral and spiritual, with perhaps material and literal restoration implied A parallel for b<span class="accented">e</span> in the signification of "by" occurs in the first chapter of this book at the seventh verse: "I will save them by (<span class="accented">be</span>) the Lord their God;" also in <a href="/deuteronomy/33-29.htm">Deuteronomy 33:29</a>, "O people saved by (<span class="accented">be</span>) the Lord." We prefer the former sense as more simple and suitable; it is concisely and correctly explained by Keil as follows: "'<span class="hebrew">שׁוב</span> with <span class="hebrew">בְ</span> is a pregnant expression, as in <a href="/isaiah/10-22.htm">Isaiah 10:22</a>, 'So turn as to enter into vital fellowship with God; ' that is, to be truly converted.... The next two clauses are to be taken as explanatory of <span class="hebrew">תשוב</span>. The conversion is to show itself i, the perception of love and right towards their brethren, and in constant trust in God." The difference between <span class="hebrew">שׁוּב בְּ</span> and <span class="hebrew">שוּב אֶל</span> is that the latter signifies "to return <span class="accented">to</span>," and the former "to return into," and thus expresses inward union with him. The general sense of the clause is thus expressed by Aben Ezra: "If thou wouldst return to God, he would be thy help to bring thee back to him;" and by Kimchi as follows: "But thou who art the seed of Jacob, if thou art willing, canst return unto thy God, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> thou canst rest in him, as 'In returning and rest shall ye be saved' (<a href="/isaiah/30-15.htm">Isaiah 30:15</a>)." The second point of the verse has an instructive parallel in <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>, "What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" In regard to the waiting upon God, of which the last clause speaks, Aben Ezra has the pithy remark, "Depend not upon thy riches nor thy strength, for the strength thou hadst from him, also the riches." Kimchi comments on the same more fully, as follows: "On this condition thou canst rest and not be afraid of the enemy, if thou wilt observe to do mercy and judgment: for his conditions are as he said, 'I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.' And although he does not mention righteousness here, yet he has said in another place, 'Keep ye judgment, and to justice [literally, 'righteousness'].' And he says here, 'And wait upon thy God continually;' now it is righteousness and equity that thou waitest on thy God continually. And even when thou shalt have great possession and riches and wealth, thou shalt say to thyself, ' It is all from him; thou shall remember him continually and wait on him, as he says in the Law (<a href="/deuteronomy/8-18.htm">Deuteronomy 8:18</a>), ' Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God, for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth; not like Ephraim, who says, 'I am become rich, I have found me out substance.'" The Septuagint has <span class="greek">ἔγγιζε</span>, equivalent to "draw near <span class="accented">to</span>," having probably read <span class="hebrew">קְרֹב</span> instead of <span class="hebrew">קַוֵּה</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/hosea/12-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But you</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַתָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">must return</span><br /><span class="heb">תָשׁ֑וּב</span> <span class="translit">(ṯā·šūḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to your God,</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּאלֹהֶ֣יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(bê·lō·he·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">maintaining</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמֹ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(šə·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">love</span><br /><span class="heb">חֶ֤סֶד</span> <span class="translit">(ḥe·seḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2617.htm">Strong's 2617: </a> </span><span class="str2">Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and justice,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמִשְׁפָּט֙</span> <span class="translit">(ū·miš·pāṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and always</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּמִֽיד׃</span> <span class="translit">(tā·mîḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8548.htm">Strong's 8548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Continuance, constant, ellipt, the regular, sacrifice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">waiting</span><br /><span class="heb">וְקַוֵּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·qaw·wêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6960.htm">Strong's 6960: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bind together, collect, to expect</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your God.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hosea/12-6.htm">Hosea 12:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/hosea/12-6.htm">Hosea 12:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/hosea/12-6.htm">Hosea 12:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/hosea/12-6.htm">Hosea 12:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/hosea/12-6.htm">Hosea 12:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/hosea/12-6.htm">Hosea 12:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hosea/12-6.htm">Hosea 12:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/hosea/12-6.htm">Hosea 12:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/hosea/12-6.htm">Hosea 12:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/hosea/12-6.htm">Hosea 12:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/hosea/12-6.htm">OT Prophets: Hosea 12:6 Therefore turn to your God (Ho Hs Hos.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hosea/12-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hosea 12:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hosea 12:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hosea/12-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hosea 12:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hosea 12:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>