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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 12:12 Jacob fled to the land of Aram and Israel worked for a wife--for a wife he tended sheep.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hosea/12-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/28_Hos_12_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hosea 12:12 - A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, Jacob" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Jacob fled to the land of Aram and Israel worked for a wife--for a wife he tended sheep." /><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'; 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Israel served to get a wife, and to pay for her he tended sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/hosea/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Jacob fled to the land of Aram, and there he earned a wife by tending sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/hosea/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Jacob fled to the land of Aram; there Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he guarded sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/hosea/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jacob fled to the land of Aram and Israel worked for a wife—for a wife he tended sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/hosea/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept <i>sheep</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/hosea/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Jacob fled to the country of Syria; Israel served for a spouse, And for a wife he tended <i>sheep.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/hosea/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Jacob fled to the land of Aram, And Israel worked for a wife, And for a wife he kept <i>sheep.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/hosea/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now Jacob fled to the land of Aram, And Israel worked for a wife, And for a wife he kept sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/hosea/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now Jacob fled to the land of Aram, And Israel worked for a wife, And for a wife he kept <i>sheep.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/hosea/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now Jacob fled to the field of Aram, And Israel worked for a wife, And for a wife he kept <i>sheep</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/hosea/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now Jacob (Israel) fled into the open country of Aram (Paddan-aram), And [there] Israel (Jacob) worked <i>and</i> served for a wife, And for a wife he kept <i>sheep</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/hosea/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jacob fled to the territory of Aram. Israel worked to earn a wife; he tended flocks for a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/hosea/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jacob fled to the land of Aram. Israel worked to earn a wife; he tended flocks for a wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/hosea/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/hosea/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jacob escaped to Syria where he tended sheep to earn himself a wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/hosea/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/hosea/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jacob fled to the country of Syria. Israel worked to get a wife; he took care of sheep to pay for her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/hosea/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Our ancestor Jacob had to flee to Mesopotamia, where, in order to get a wife, he worked for another man and took care of his sheep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/hosea/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Jacob fled into the land of Aram; Israel served there to obtain his wife, tending sheep to gain his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/hosea/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jacob fled to the land of Aram and Israel worked for a wife?for a wife he tended sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/hosea/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Jacob fled to the country of Aram, then Israel worked to acquire a wife; he tended sheep to pay for her. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/hosea/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Jacob fled into the country of Aram, and Israel served to get a wife, and for a wife he tended flocks and herds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/hosea/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/hosea/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Jacob fled into the country of Aram. Israel served to get a wife. For a wife he tended flocks and herds. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/hosea/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jacob flees to the country of Aram, "" And Israel serves for a wife, "" Indeed, he has kept watch for a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/hosea/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jacob doth flee to the country of Aram, And Israel doth serve for a wife, Yea, for a wife he hath kept watch.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/hosea/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob will flee to the field of Aram, and Israel will serve for a wife, and for a wife he watched.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/hosea/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and was a keeper for a wife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/hosea/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Jacob fled into the region of Syria, and Israel served like a wife, and was served by a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/hosea/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Jacob fled to the land of Aram, and Israel served for a wife; for a wife he tended sheep. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/hosea/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Jacob fled to the land of Aram, there Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he guarded sheep.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/hosea/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Jacob fled to the land of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/hosea/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Yaqob fled to the land of Aram and Israel worked for the sake of a wife, and he kept watch for the sake of a wife<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/hosea/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, And Israel served for a wife, And for a wife he kept sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/hosea/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob retreated into the plain of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and waited for a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/hosea/12-12.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=1911" 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">11</span>Is there iniquity in Gilead? They will surely come to nothing. Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stones in the furrows of the field. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">Jacob</a> <a href="/hebrew/1272.htm" title="1272: way·yiḇ·raḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To go through, flee. A primitive root; to bolt, i.e. Figuratively, to flee suddenly.">fled</a> <a href="/hebrew/7704.htm" title="7704: śə·ḏêh (N-msc) -- Field, land. Or saday; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field.">to the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/758.htm" title="758: ’ă·rām (N-proper-fs) -- Syria and its inhab., also the names of a son of Shem, a grandson of Nahor, and an Isr. ">of Aram</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">and Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: way·ya·‘ă·ḇōḏ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">worked</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: bə·’iš·šāh (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">for a wife—</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ū·ḇə·’iš·šāh (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">for a wife</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: šā·mār (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">he tended sheep.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.…<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="/genesis/28-5.htm">Genesis 28:5</a></span><br />So Isaac sent Jacob to Paddan-aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, who was the mother of Jacob and Esau.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-20.htm">Genesis 29:20</a></span><br />So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-18.htm">Genesis 29:18</a></span><br />Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-25.htm">Genesis 30:25-26</a></span><br />Now after Rachel had given birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so I can return to my homeland. / Give me my wives and children for whom I have served you, that I may go on my way. You know how hard I have worked for you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-38.htm">Genesis 31:38-41</a></span><br />I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock. / I did not bring you anything torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or night. / As it was, the heat consumed me by day and the frost by night, and sleep fled from my eyes. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-17.htm">Genesis 31:17-18</a></span><br />Then Jacob got up and put his children and his wives on camels, / and he drove all his livestock before him, along with all the possessions he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land in Canaan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-20.htm">Genesis 31:20-21</a></span><br />Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was running away. / So he fled with all his possessions, crossed the Euphrates, and headed for the hill country of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41</a></span><br />Thus for twenty years I have served in your household—fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks—and you have changed my wages ten times!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/32-10.htm">Genesis 32:10</a></span><br />I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, with only my staff I came across the Jordan, but now I have become two camps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-6.htm">Genesis 35:6</a></span><br />So Jacob and everyone with him arrived in Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-1.htm">Exodus 3:1</a></span><br />Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/26-5.htm">Deuteronomy 26:5</a></span><br />and you are to declare before the LORD your God, “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt few in number and lived there and became a great nation, mighty and numerous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-8.htm">1 Samuel 12:8</a></span><br />When Jacob went to Egypt, your fathers cried out to the LORD, and He sent them Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and settled them in this place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-14.htm">Acts 7:14-15</a></span><br />Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all. / So Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our fathers died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-8.htm">Acts 7:8-9</a></span><br />Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day. And Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. / Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.</p><p class="hdg">Jacob.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/27-43.htm">Genesis 27:43</a></b></br> Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/28-1.htm">Genesis 28:1-29:35</a></b></br> And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/26-5.htm">Deuteronomy 26:5</a></b></br> And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish <i>was</i> my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:</p><p class="hdg">Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/32-27.htm">Genesis 32:27,28</a></b></br> And he said unto him, What <i>is</i> thy name? And he said, Jacob… </p><p class="hdg">served.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/29-18.htm">Genesis 29:18-28</a></b></br> And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-41.htm">Genesis 31:41</a></b></br> Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/27-16.htm">Aram</a> <a href="/hosea/10-1.htm">Country</a> <a href="/hosea/12-11.htm">Field</a> <a href="/hosea/7-13.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/daniel/10-7.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/hosea/10-5.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/hosea/5-6.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-22.htm">Herded</a> <a href="/hosea/12-1.htm">Herds</a> <a href="/hosea/11-12.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/hosea/12-2.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/hosea/11-2.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/hosea/5-1.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/daniel/7-27.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/daniel/7-10.htm">Served</a> <a href="/daniel/1-19.htm">Service</a> <a href="/daniel/8-20.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-16.htm">Syria</a> <a href="/psalms/78-72.htm">Tended</a> <a href="/daniel/9-14.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/hosea/3-3.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/daniel/4-2.htm">Worked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/amos/1-5.htm">Aram</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-19.htm">Country</a> <a href="/hosea/13-8.htm">Field</a> <a href="/amos/5-19.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/amos/2-16.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/amos/2-14.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/joel/1-18.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-22.htm">Herded</a> <a href="/joel/1-18.htm">Herds</a> <a href="/hosea/12-13.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/amos/3-13.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/hosea/12-13.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/jonah/2-8.htm">Pay</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-9.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/zechariah/2-9.htm">Served</a> <a href="/zechariah/3-7.htm">Service</a> <a href="/joel/1-18.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/amos/1-5.htm">Syria</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-7.htm">Tended</a> <a href="/hosea/13-7.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/amos/7-17.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/joel/2-26.htm">Worked</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>Jacob fled to the land of Aram</b><br>This phrase refers to the biblical account of Jacob, the patriarch, who fled to the land of Aram to escape the wrath of his brother Esau (<a href="/genesis/27-41.htm">Genesis 27:41-45</a>). Aram, also known as Padan-Aram, is located in the region of modern-day Syria. This journey marks a significant turning point in Jacob's life, as it is during his time in Aram that he encounters God in a dream at Bethel (<a href="/genesis/28-10.htm">Genesis 28:10-22</a>). The flight to Aram is a reminder of God's providence and protection over Jacob, despite his deceptive actions. It also sets the stage for the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, as Jacob's time in Aram leads to the expansion of his family, which becomes the nation of Israel.<p><b>and Israel worked for a wife</b><br>The name "Israel" here refers to Jacob, who was later named Israel after wrestling with God (<a href="/genesis/32-28.htm">Genesis 32:28</a>). This phrase highlights Jacob's labor for Laban, his uncle, in order to marry his daughters, Leah and Rachel (<a href="/genesis/29-15.htm">Genesis 29:15-30</a>). This period of service lasted fourteen years, seven years for each wife. The labor Jacob endured is symbolic of the trials and perseverance required to fulfill God's promises. It also foreshadows the future struggles of the nation of Israel, which would often find itself in servitude and hardship due to disobedience, yet always under God's sovereign plan.<p><b>for a wife he tended sheep</b><br>Jacob's work as a shepherd during his time in Aram is significant both culturally and theologically. Shepherding was a common occupation in the ancient Near East, and it required patience, diligence, and care—qualities that God would later require of the leaders of Israel. This role as a shepherd also prefigures the imagery of God as the Shepherd of Israel (Psalm 23) and ultimately points to Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd (<a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a>). Jacob's tending of sheep is a humble task that underscores the theme of servitude and foreshadows the servanthood of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve (<a href="/mark/10-45.htm">Mark 10:45</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The patriarch who fled to Aram to escape his brother Esau's wrath. He is a central figure in the history of Israel, known for his journey of transformation and his covenant relationship with God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/aram.htm">Aram</a></b><br>A region in ancient Mesopotamia, often associated with the area around modern-day Syria. It is where Jacob fled to find refuge and where he worked for Laban, his uncle.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>Refers to Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel after wrestling with God. It also represents the nation that descended from him.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/worked_for_a_wife.htm">Worked for a wife</a></b><br>Jacob's labor for Laban to marry his daughters, Leah and Rachel. This event highlights themes of perseverance and the fulfillment of God's promises through trials.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/tended_sheep.htm">Tended sheep</a></b><br>Jacob's occupation while in Aram, symbolizing humility and servitude, which are recurring themes in his life and the life of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_our_journeys.htm">God's Sovereignty in Our Journeys</a></b><br>Just as God guided Jacob to Aram and back, He directs our paths, even when we face trials and uncertainties.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_faith.htm">Perseverance in Faith</a></b><br>Jacob's years of labor for his wives teach us the value of perseverance and faithfulness in fulfilling God's purposes in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/transformation_through_trials.htm">Transformation Through Trials</a></b><br>Jacob's experiences in Aram were pivotal in his transformation from a deceiver to a patriarch of faith, reminding us that God uses our struggles to refine us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_humility_and_service.htm">The Importance of Humility and Service</a></b><br>Jacob's role as a shepherd underscores the biblical principle that greatness in God's kingdom often comes through humble service.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_faithfulness.htm">Covenant Faithfulness</a></b><br>God's faithfulness to Jacob despite his flaws assures us of His unwavering commitment to His promises and His people.<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/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/did_israel_return_to_tents_post-exodus.htm">Hosea 12:9: Is there any historical record of Israel returning to a nomadic lifestyle in tents after the Exodus period?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_hosea_12_8_contradict_israel's_exile.htm">Hosea 12:8: Does Israel's claim of innocence here contradict passages in which Israel is already punished or exiled?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_israel_'swallowed'_yet_distinct.htm">Hosea 8:8: How do we reconcile Israel being 'swallowed up' by other nations with promises of their continued distinct identity?</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>(12) <span class= "bld">Jacob . . . Israel.</span>--Resuming the retrospect over early patriarchal history, begun in <a href="/hosea/12-4.htm" title="Yes, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication to him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us;">Hosea 12:4</a>. Notwithstanding the loneliness and humble position of the patriarch, God took care of him, and he won the mighty name of Israel, and gave it to his descendants.<p><span class= "bld">Country.</span>--More accurately, <span class= "ital">plain.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hosea/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 12, 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep. And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved</span>. The connection of this verse with what precedes has been variously explained. The flight of Israel and his servitude are intended, according to Umbreit, "to bring out the double servitude of Israel - the first, the one which the people had to endure in their forefather; the second, the one which they had to endure themselves in Egypt." Cyril and Theodoret understand them to give prominence to Jacob's zeal for the blessing of the birthright, and his obedience to the command of God and his parents. Pusey says, "Jacob chose poverty and servitude rather than marry an idolatress of Canaan. He knew not whence, except from God's bounty and providence, he should have bread to eat or raiment to put on; with his staff alone he passed over Jordan. His voluntary poverty, bearing even unjust losses, and repaying the things which he never took, reproved their dishonest traffic; his trustfulness in God, their mistrust; his devotedness to God, their alienation from him and their devotion to idols." There may be an element of truth in each of these explanations, and an approximation to the true sense; but none of them tallies exactly with the context. There is a contrast between the flight of the lonely tribe-father across the Syrian desert, and the guidance of his posterity by a prophet of the Lord through the wilderness; Jacob's servitude in Padan-aram with Israel's redemption from the bondage of Egypt; the guarding of sheep by the patriarch with the Shepherd of Israel's guardian-care of them by his prophet when he led them to Canaan. Thus the distress and affliction of Jacob are contrasted with the exaltation of his posterity. The great object of this contrast is to impress the people with the goodness of God to them in lifting them up out of the lowest condition, and to inspire them with gratitude to God for such unmerited elevation and with thankful yet humble acknowledgment of his mercy. Calvin's explanation is at once correct and clear; it is the following: "Their father Jacob, who was he? what was his condition? He was a fugitive from his country. Even if he had always lived at home, his father was only a stranger in the land. But he was compelled to fit into Syria. And how splendidly did he live there? He was with his uncle, no doubt, but he was treated quite as meanly as any common slave: he served for a wife. And how did he serve? He was the man that tended the cattle." This, it may be observed, was the lowest and the meanest, the hardest and worst kind of servitude. In like manner Ewald directs attention to the wonderful care of Divine providence manifested to Jacob in his straits, in his flight to Syria, in his sojourn there as a shepherd, and also to Israel his posterity delivered out of Egypt by the hand of Moses an, I sustained in the wilderness so that one scarcely knows what to think of Israel who, without encountering such perils and distresses, and out of sheer delight in iniquity, so shamefully forsook their benefactor. Such is the substance of Ewald's view, which presents one aspect of the ease, though he does not bring out so fully the fact of Israel's elevation and the humble thankfulness that should be exhibited therefore. The exposition of the Hebrew commentators agrees in the main with what we have given. Rashi says, "Jacob fled to the field of Aram, etc., as a man who says, 'Let us return to the former narrative which we spoke of above;' and he wrestles with the angel; and this further have I done unto him; as he was obliged to fly to the field of Aram ye know how I guarded him, and for a wife he kept sheep." "Ye ought to consider," says Aben Ezra, "that your father when he fled to Syria was poor, and so he says, 'And he will give me bread to eat' (<a href="/genesis/28-20.htm">Genesis 28:20</a>). And he served for a wife,' and this is, 'Have I not served thee for Rachel?' 'And for a wife he kept sheep ;' and ' f made him rich.'" The exposition of Kimchi is much fuller, and is as follows: "And they do not remember the goodness which I exercised with their father, when he fled from his brother Esau. Yea, when he was there it was necessary for him to serve Laban for a wife, that he should give him his daughter, and the service consisted in keeping his sheep, and so for the other daughter which he gave him he kept his sheep in like manner. And I am he that was with him and blessed him, so that he returned thence with fiches and substance. And further, I showed favor to his sons who descended into Egypt and were in bondage there; and I sent to them a prophet who brought them up out of Egypt with much substance, and he was Moses. The forty years they were in the wilderness they were guarded by means of a prophet whom I gave them, and they wanted nothing. But all these benefits they forget, and provoke me to anger by abominations and no-gods." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/hosea/12-12.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">Jacob</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲקֹ֖ב</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·qōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fled</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּבְרַ֥ח</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiḇ·raḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1272.htm">Strong's 1272: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bolt, to flee suddenly</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the land</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂדֵ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(śə·ḏêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7704.htm">Strong's 7704: </a> </span><span class="str2">Field, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Aram,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲרָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_758.htm">Strong's 758: </a> </span><span class="str2">Aram -- Syria</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵל֙</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">worked</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ד</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘ă·ḇōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> </span><span class="str2">To work, to serve, till, enslave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for a wife;</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּאִשָּׁ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(bə·’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for a wife</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְאִשָּׁ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he tended [sheep].</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁמָֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(šā·mār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person 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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hosea/12-12.htm">Hosea 12:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/hosea/12-12.htm">Hosea 12:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/hosea/12-12.htm">Hosea 12:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/hosea/12-12.htm">Hosea 12:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/hosea/12-12.htm">Hosea 12:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/hosea/12-12.htm">Hosea 12:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hosea/12-12.htm">Hosea 12:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/hosea/12-12.htm">Hosea 12:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/hosea/12-12.htm">Hosea 12:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/hosea/12-12.htm">Hosea 12:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/hosea/12-12.htm">OT Prophets: Hosea 12:12 Jacob fled into the country of Aram (Ho Hs Hos.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hosea/12-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hosea 12:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hosea 12:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hosea/12-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hosea 12:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hosea 12:13" /></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>