Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

HOSEA 12:1KJV
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Hosea 12:1 (KJV)

What does Hosea 12:1 mean?

Hosea 12:1 portrays the northern kingdom of Israel, called Ephraim, as pursuing a destructive course. Its leaders seek security through dealings with powerful foreign nations while lies and ruin increase among their own people.

Hosea speaks as God’s messenger. The image of feeding on wind pictures a pursuit that cannot nourish or sustain. The east wind adds a picture of a harsh, drying force, making the pursuit not only empty but harmful.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 12:1

  • “feedeth” — רָעָה (raʿah): This word can describe an animal grazing. Paired with “wind,” it creates the striking picture of someone trying to feed on what cannot provide food.
  • “make” — כָּרַת (karat): This word means “cut” and is used for making an agreement. The expression lies behind “make a covenant,” meaning to enter a formal agreement.
  • “desolation” — שֹׁד (shod): This word can carry the sense of destruction or violent ruin. It suggests harm done among people, alongside the “lies” named in the same phrase.

Why Hosea 12:1 matters

  • Ephraim represents more than one person. Ephraim was a leading tribe whose name Hosea uses for the northern kingdom of Israel; the verse also refers to its people as “they.”
  • The mention of both Assyria and Egypt points to dealings with rival powers. The agreement with Assyria and the oil sent to Egypt show the political reach of Ephraim’s pursuit.
  • Hosea connects foreign dealings with conduct at home. “Lies and desolation” appear in the same sentence as the agreement and the shipment of oil.

Where else these words appear

“carried” Hebrew H2986 · used in 18 verses

  • Job 10:19 I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.
  • Psalms 60:9 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
  • Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

“desolation” Hebrew H7701 · used in 24 verses

  • Job 5:21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
  • Isaiah 22:4 Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.
  • Hosea 7:13 Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.

“lies” Hebrew H3577 · used in 31 verses

  • Judges 16:10 And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.
  • Proverbs 14:25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
  • Ezekiel 13:7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?

“wind” Hebrew H6921 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 41:6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
  • Ezekiel 40:32 And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures.
  • Ezekiel 48:2 And by the border of Dan, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Asher.