Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.

HOSEA 5:11KJV
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Hosea 5:11 (KJV)

What does Hosea 5:11 mean?

Hosea 5:11 says that Ephraim (representing the northern kingdom of Israel) is suffering and crushed in judgment because the people chose to follow a certain commandment or rule, even though it was not from God. The verse points to a willing decision to go after something false, which led to their troubles.

In this part of Hosea, God is speaking through the prophet Hosea to warn the people of Israel about the consequences of their choices. Ephraim stands for the main tribe of the northern kingdom, and their "oppression" and being "broken in judgment" refer to the hardships and defeat they are experiencing. The reason given is that they "willingly walked after the commandment," meaning they knowingly followed a human or false command instead of God's way.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 5:11

  • "Oppressed" (עָשַׁק, ʿāshaq) means to be wronged or treated harshly. This word highlights that Ephraim is not just suffering but is being actively mistreated or burdened.
  • "Willingly" (יָאַל, yāʾal) carries the sense of choosing or being determined. The verse stresses that Ephraim's actions were not accidental; they made a conscious choice.
  • "Commandment" (צַו, tsav) here often refers to a human command or rule, not God's law. This suggests the people followed a man-made or false religious practice, which brought about their downfall.

Why Hosea 5:11 matters

  • Hosea 5:11 clarifies that the suffering of Ephraim is not random or unfair; it is directly connected to their own choices and actions.
  • The verse highlights the danger of following human traditions or rules in place of God's instructions, a theme that runs throughout Hosea.
  • By focusing on Ephraim's willingness, the verse shows that responsibility lies with the people themselves, not just with their leaders or outside forces.

Where else these words appear

“commandment” Hebrew H6673 · used in 3 verses

  • Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
  • Isaiah 28:13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

“broken” Hebrew H7533 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 25:22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.
  • 1 Samuel 12:4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.
  • Isaiah 36:6 Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.

“willingly” Hebrew H2974 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 18:27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
  • Judges 1:27 Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
  • 2 Samuel 7:29 Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

“oppressed” Hebrew H6231 · used in 35 verses

  • Leviticus 6:2 If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
  • Psalms 72:4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
  • Isaiah 23:12 And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.