Ephraim is oppressed, he is crushed in judgment; Because he is intent in his pursuit of idols.
Parallel translations
- KJV Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, because he willingly walked after the commandment.
- BSB Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, for he is determined to follow worthless idols.
- ESV Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment, because he was determined to go after filth.
- NKJV Ephraim is oppressed and broken in judgment, Because he willingly walked by human precept.
- NASB Ephraim is oppressed, broken by judgment, Because he was determined to follow man’s command.
- NLT The people of Israel will be crushed and broken by my judgment because they are determined to worship idols.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Ephraim is crushed in judgment because she willingly pursued idols. Determined sin brings deserved oppression.
Overview
Ephraim's suffering is traced directly to her own choice to follow after idols, here described as being 'intent in his pursuit' of them. Her oppression and crushing are the just outcome of that deliberate idolatry. The verse reinforces a key biblical principle: persistent, willful sin reaps its bitter consequences, and Israel's afflictions flowed from her own rejection of God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Mic 6:16For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of Ahab’s house. You walk in their counsels, that I may make you a ruin, and her inhabitants a hissing; And you will bear the reproach of my people.”
- Deut 28:33A nation which you don’t know eat the fruit of your ground and all of your work. You will only be oppressed and crushed always;
- 1 Kgs 12:26–33Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will return to David’s house.
- 2 Kgs 15:16–20Then Menahem attacked Tiphsah, and all who were in it, and its border areas, from Tirzah. He attacked it because they didn’t open their gates to him, and he ripped up all their women who were with child.
- 2 Kgs 15:29In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali; and he carried them captive to Assyria.
- Amos 5:11–12Therefore, because you trample on the poor, and take taxes from him of wheat: You have built houses of cut stone, but you will not dwell in them. You have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine.
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Christ at the center
God's relentless love for an unfaithful bride dramatizes the gospel: 'Out of Egypt I called my son' is fulfilled in Jesus, who redeems an adulterous people at his own cost.
How Hosea 5:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.