1
Ho 12:1-14.
英文原文
Ho 12:1-14.
REPROOF OF EPHRAIM AND JUDAH: THEIR FATHER JACOB OUGHT TO BE A PATTERN TO THEM.
This prophecy was delivered about the time of Israel's seeking the aid of the Egyptian king So, in violation of their covenant with Assyria (see
Ho 12:1).
He exhorts them to follow their father Jacob's persevering prayerfulness, which brought God's favor upon him. As God is unchangeable, He will show the same favor to Jacob's posterity as He did to Jacob, if, like him, they seek God.
1. feedeth on wind--
(Pr 15:14; Isa 44:20).
Followeth after vain objects, such as alliances with idolaters and their idols (compare
Ho 8:7).
east wind--the simoon, blowing from the desert east of Palestine, which not only does not benefit, but does injury. Israel follows not only things vain, but things pernicious (compare
Job 15:2).
increaseth lies--accumulates lie upon lie, that is, impostures wherewith they deceive themselves, forsaking the truth of God.
desolation--violent oppressions practised by Israel [MAURER]. Acts which would prove the cause of Israel's own desolation [CALVIN].
covenant with . . . Assyrians--
(Ho 5:13; 7:11).
oil . . . into Egypt--as a present from Israel to secure Egypt's alliance
(Isa 30:6; 57:9;
compare
2Ki 17:4).
Palestine was famed for oil
(Eze 27:17).
2
無標題
2. controversy with Judah——
（Ho 4:1； Mic 6:2）。
猶大在亞哈斯治下，已陷入偶像崇拜
（2Ki 16:3，
等等）。
Jacob——指十個支派。猶大既是國中蒙恩的部分尚且不能免刑，何況墮落的以色列更不能倖免。
英文原文
2. controversy with Judah--
(Ho 4:1; Mic 6:2).
Judah, under Ahaz, had fallen into idolatry
(2Ki 16:3,
&c.).
Jacob--that is, the ten tribes. If Judah, the favored portion of the nation, shall not be spared, much less degenerate Israel.
3
無標題
3. He——指雅各，與其墮落的後裔（同樣稱為雅各）相對
（Ho 12:2；
參
Mic 2:7）。
他在腹中抓住以掃的腳跟，為要盡可能取得長子名分的權利
（Ge 25:22-26），
因此他名叫雅各，意為「抓住腳跟者」（即「排擠者」）；他又靠自己的力量，與神較力得了祝福
（Ge 32:24-29）；
你們卻藐視我的應許，倚靠偶像與外邦聯盟。他勝過了神，你們卻作了偶像的奴僕。只要耶和華站在你們一邊，你們就比以東更強，甚至比亞述更強。照樣，屬靈的以色列人抓住耶穌——「眾弟兄中作長子者」——的腳跟，因他是由聖靈重生的。他們本無權利承受產業，卻抓住那受傷的腳跟——基督被釘的人性——並且緊緊抓住祂不放；祂並不像以掃那樣成為咒詛
（Heb 12:16, 17），
反而因替我們成了咒詛，就成為我們的祝福。
power with God——指他「以色列」這名字，即 神的王子，是在那場合取得的（參
Mt 11:12）。
正如所應許的迦南必須由以色列憑力爭取得，照樣天國也必須由信徒如此進入
（Re 3:21；
參
Lu 13:24）。
「努力」字面作「如在角力苦鬥之中」。那迦南婦人也是如此
（Mt 15:22）。
his strength——在於他自覺的軟弱；因此當神使他的大腿窩脫了節，他便 緊緊倚靠神。得著力量是他的目標，賜力量則是神的心意。然而神的作法卻令人驚奇：祂以人的樣式來，彷彿要把雅各摔倒。單憑角力不夠，祂便行了一件似乎足以使雅各跌倒的事——使他的大腿窩脫節，使他再不能站立。然而雅各正是在那時得勝了。神如此教導我們自覺軟弱中所蘊含的那不可抵擋的大能。因為當我們在自己裏面軟弱時，便因祂所賜的力量剛強
（Job 23:6; Isa 27:5; 2Co 12:9, 10）。
英文原文
3. He--Jacob, contrasted with his degenerate descendants, called by his name, Jacob
(Ho 12:2;
compare
Mic 2:7).
He took Esau by the heel in the womb in order to obtain, if possible, the privileges of the first-born
(Ge 25:22-26),
whence he took his name, Jacob, meaning "supplanter"; and again, by his strength, prevailed in wrestling with God for a blessing
(Ge 32:24-29);
whereas ye disregard My promises, putting your confidence in idols and foreign alliances. He conquered God, ye are the slaves of idols. Only have Jehovah on your side, and ye are stronger than Edom, or even Assyria. So the spiritual Israel lays hold of the heel of Jesus, "the First-born of many brethren," being born again of the Holy Spirit. Having no right in themselves to the inheritance, they lay hold of the bruised heel, the humanity of Christ crucified, and let not go their hold of Him who is not, as Esau, a curse
(Heb 12:16, 17),
but, by becoming a curse for us, is a blessing to us.
power with God--referring to his name, "Israel," prince of God, acquired on that occasion (compare
Mt 11:12).
As the promised Canaan had to be gained forcibly by Israel, so heaven by the faithful
(Re 3:21;
compare
Lu 13:24).
"Strive," literally, "as in the agony of a contest." So the Canaanitess
(Mt 15:22).
his strength--which lay in his conscious weakness, whence, when his thigh was put out of joint by God, he hung upon Him. To seek strength was his object; to grant it, God's. Yet God's mode of procedure was strange. In human form He tries as it were to throw Jacob down. When simple wrestling was not enough, He does what seems to ensure Jacob's fall, dislocating his thigh joint, so that he could no longer stand. Yet it was then that Jacob prevailed. Thus God teaches us the irresistible might of conscious weakness. For when weak in ourselves, we are strong by His strength put in us
(Job 23:6; Isa 27:5; 2Co 12:9, 10).
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無標題
4. the angel——即那非受造的立約之使者，正如神的兒子在舊約中的顯現
（Mal 3:1）。
made supplication——
Ge 32:26：
「你不給我祝福，我就不容你去。」
he found him——那使者遇見雅各，是在他逃避以掃往敘利亞去的時候：耶和華在「伯特利」向他顯現
（Ge 28:11-19; 35:1）。
何等可悲的對比：如今以色列竟在這同一個伯特利敬拜金牛犢！
there he spake with us——「與 我們」，因為當時我們是在我們先祖雅各的身中（參
Ps 66:6，
「他們……我們」；
Heb 7:9, 10）。
神在那裏對雅各所說的話，也與我們有關。神對他的應許，屬於一切效法他禱告之信心的後裔。
英文原文
4. the angel--the uncreated Angel of the Covenant, as God the Son appears in the Old Testament
(Mal 3:1).
made supplication--
Ge 32:26:
"I will not let thee go, except thou bless me."
he found him--The angel found Jacob, when he was fleeing from Esau into Syria: the Lord appearing to him "in Beth-el"
(Ge 28:11-19; 35:1).
What a sad contrast, that in this same Beth-el now Israel worships the golden calves!
there he spake with us--"with us," as being in the loins of our progenitor Jacob (compare
Ps 66:6,
"They . . . we;"
Heb 7:9, 10).
What God there spoke to Jacob appertains to us. God's promises to him belong to all his posterity who follow in the steps of his prayerful faith.
5
無標題
5. Lord God——即 JEHOVAH（耶和華），這名字表明祂 對其應許永不改變的信實。源於 希伯來文 一意為「存在」的字根。「那昔在、今在、以後永在的」，永遠一樣
（Heb 13:8； Re 1:4, 8；
參
Ex 3:14, 15; 6:3）。
祂既對雅各施恩不變，也必照樣對那信祂的後裔施恩。
of hosts——以色列卻愚昧地敬拜萬軍。耶和華既有天上地下一切萬軍（saba）與權能聽其差遣，所以祂既全能、又信實，足以成就祂的應許
（Ps 135:6； Am 5:27）。
memorial——即那表明神當永遠被記念之屬性的名號
（Ps 135:13）。
英文原文
5. Lord God--JEHOVAH, a name implying His immutable constancy to His promises. From the Hebrew root, meaning "existence." "He that is, was, and is to be," always the same
(Heb 13:8; Re 1:4, 8;
compare
Ex 3:14, 15; 6:3).
As He was unchangeable in His favor to Jacob, so will He be to His believing posterity.
of hosts--which Israel foolishly worshipped. Jehovah has all the hosts (saba) or powers of heaven and earth at His command, so that He is as all-powerful, as He is faithful, to fulfil His promises
(Ps 135:6; Am 5:27).
memorial--the name expressive of the character in which God was ever to be remembered
(Ps 135:13).
6
無標題
6. thou——那願作雅各真後裔的人。
to THY God——既與你立約，便有義務聽允你的禱告。
keep mercy and judgment——
（Mic 6:8）。
這兩樣包括第二塊版的誡命，即對鄰舍的本分，這是悔改是否真誠最顯而易見的考驗。
wait on thy God——單單等候你的神，不倚靠你的偶像。包括第一塊版的一切本分
（Ps 37:3, 5, 7; 40:1）。
英文原文
6. thou--who dost wish to be a true descendant of Jacob.
to THY God--who is therefore bound by covenant to hear thy prayers.
keep mercy and judgment--
(Mic 6:8).
These two include the second-table commandments, duty towards one's neighbor, the most visible test of the sincerity on one's repentance.
wait on thy God--alone, not on thy idols. Including all the duties of the first table
(Ps 37:3, 5, 7; 40:1).
7
無標題
7. merchant——是 希伯來文 「Canaan（迦南）」一詞雙關之妙用，既指迦南人，又指「商人」
Eze 16:3：
「你的出生……是迦南的。」他們本是敬虔 雅各 的後裔，卻實際上成了 迦南人；迦南人以欺詐的 商人 著稱（參
Isa 23:11，
Margin〔旁註〕），這對於藐視迦南的以色列而言是極大的恥辱。腓尼基人自稱 迦南人 或 商人
（Isa 23:8）。
oppress——公然 的強暴：正如「詭詐的天平」暗示 欺詐。
英文原文
7. merchant--a play on the double sense of the Hebrew, "Canaan," that is, a Canaanite and a "merchant"
Eze 16:3:
"Thy birth is . . . of Canaan." They who naturally were descendants of pious Jacob had become virtually Canaanites, who were proverbial as cheating merchants (compare
Isa 23:11,
Margin), the greatest reproach to Israel, who despised Canaan. The Phœnicians called themselves Canaanites or merchants
(Isa 23:8).
oppress--open violence: as the "balances of deceit" imply fraud.
8
無標題
8. And——意即「儘管如此」。
Yet I am . . . rich——我不理先知所說的話：我既富足，便對自己的景況心滿意足
（Re 3:17）。
因此，按公義的報應，這正是那作為刑罰以色列之工具的敵人所說的話。
Zec 11:5：
「Those that sell them say . . . I am rich.（那些買賣他們的人說……我是富足的。）」誠實的貧窮，勝過因罪而得的富足。
my labours——我勞碌所得。
they shall find none——意即無人能找到。
iniquity . . . that were sin——指會招致罪罰的罪孽。以法蓮推論說：我在勞碌中的成功，證明我並非先知所斷言的罪人。罪人正是如此將神恆久忍耐的恩慈
（Mt 5:45）
曲解為自己不悔改的藉口（參
Ec 8:11-13）。
英文原文
8. And--that is, Notwithstanding.
Yet I am . . . rich--I regard not what the prophets say: I am content with my state, as I am rich
(Re 3:17).
Therefore, in just retribution, this is the very language of the enemy in being the instrument of Israel's punishment.
Zec 11:5:
"They that sell them say . . . I am rich." Far better is poverty with honesty, than riches gained by sin.
my labours--my gains by labor.
they shall find none--that is, none shall find any.
iniquity . . . that were sin--iniquity that would bring down the penalty of sin. Ephraim argues, My success in my labors proves that I am not a guilty sinner as the prophets assert. Thus sinners pervert God's long-suffering goodness
(Mt 5:45)
into a justification of their impenitence (compare
Ec 8:11-13).
9
無標題
9. And——更確切地譯作「And yet（然而）」。以色列雖該永遠被棄，然而我仍是自從拯救他們出埃及以來那作他們立約之神的我；所以，「I will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles（我還要使你再住帳棚）」，意即為紀念一次新的脫離奴役，再守住棚節。這首先應驗於從巴比倫歸回之時
（Ne 8:17）。
完全的、應驗上的應驗，則在於末後從現今分散中歸回之時
（Zec 14:16；
參
Le 23:42, 43）。
英文原文
9. And--rather, "And yet." Though Israel deserves to be cast off for ever, yet I am still what I have been from the time of My delivering them out of Egypt, their covenant God; therefore, "I will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles," that is, to keep the feast of tabernacles again in remembrance of a new deliverance out of bondage. Fulfilled primarily at the return from Babylon
(Ne 8:17).
Fully and antitypically to be fulfilled at the final restoration from the present dispersion
(Zec 14:16;
compare
Le 23:42, 43).
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無標題
10. by . . . the prophets——字面作「在……之上」，意即我的靈 停留在 他們身上。我把我的訓言 交給他們，本當引你們走正路。你們的罪因此加重：你們偏離不是因無知，而是公然違抗神與祂的先知〔CALVIN〕。在何西阿之前的「先知」有：示羅人亞希雅、示瑪雅、易多、亞撒利雅、哈拿尼、耶戶、以利亞、以利沙、米該雅、約珥與阿摩司。
visions . . . similitudes——我採用了種種適合人領受能力的傳達方式，為要喚起注意：為了使你們歸正，我試盡了一切方法。第一、第二與第三章包含「similitudes（比喻）」的例子。
英文原文
10. by . . . the prophets--literally, "upon," that is, My spirit resting on them. I deposited with them My instructions which ought to have brought you to the right way. An aggravation of your guilt, that it was not through ignorance you erred, but in defiance of God and His prophets [CALVIN]. Ahijah the Shilonite, Shemaiah, Iddo, Azariah, Hanani, Jehu, Elijah, Elisha, Micaiah, Joel, and Amos were "the prophets" before Hosea.
visions . . . similitudes--I adopted such modes of communication, adapted to man's capacities, as were calculated to arouse attention: I left no means untried to reform you. The first, second, and third chapters contain examples of "similitudes."
11
無標題
11. Is there iniquity in Gilead?——他發問，並非因答案可疑，而是為加強肯定：「Surely they are vanity（他們確是虛妄的）」；或如 MAURER 所譯，「他們 全是 罪孽」。在聖經中，罪孽，尤其是拜偶像，常被稱為「虛妄」。
Pr 13:11：
「Wealth gotten by vanity（虛妄）」，意即 罪孽。
Isa 41:29：
「They are all vanity . . . images（盡都虛妄……偶像）」。「Gilead（基列）」指基列的米斯巴，代表約但河以東的地區
（Ho 6:8； Jud 11:29）；
「Gilgal（吉甲）」則代表約但河以西的地區
（Ho 4:15）。
可見他們在各處一樣敗壞。
their altars are as heaps in the furrows——意即多如那樣的石堆：即從石頭地裏清理出來的石堆。這是貼切的比喻，因為從遠處看，它們像祭壇（參
Ho 10:1, 4; 8:11）。
平行結構中，第三部分對應第一部分，「Gilgal（吉甲）」對應「Gilead（基列）」；第四部分對應第二部分，「altars（祭壇）」對應「vanity（虛妄）」。「heaps（堆）」一詞影射「Gilgal（吉甲）」之名，意即「一堆石頭」。當年全民受割禮、過約但河後守莊嚴逾越節的地方，如今竟成了以色列拜偶像的大本營。
英文原文
11. Is there iniquity in Gilead?--He asks the question, not as if the answer was doubtful, but to strengthen the affirmation: "Surely they are vanity"; or as MAURER translates, "They are nothing but iniquity." Iniquity, especially idolatry, in Scripture is often termed "vanity."
Pr 13:11:
"Wealth gotten by vanity," that is, iniquity.
Isa 41:29:
"They are all vanity . . . images." "Gilead" refers to Mizpah-gilead, a city representing the region beyond Jordan
(Ho 6:8; Jud 11:29);
as "Gilgal," the region on this side of Jordan
(Ho 4:15).
In all quarters alike they are utterly vile.
their altars are as heaps in the furrows--that is, as numerous as such heaps: namely, the heaps of stones cleared out of a stony field. An appropriate image, as at a distance they look like altars (compare
Ho 10:1, 4; 8:11).
As the third member in the parallelism answers to the first, "Gilgal" to "Gilead," so the fourth to the second, "altars" to "vanity." The word "heaps" alludes to the name "Gilgal," meaning "a heap of stones." The very scene of the general circumcision of the people, and of the solemn passover kept after crossing Jordan, is now the stronghold of Israel's idolatry.
12
無標題
12. Jacob fled . . . served——你們雖以「Israel（以色列）」這大名自誇，卻不要忘記你們的先祖，正是那逃亡的雅各，他為拉結服事了十四年。他 在逃避以掃時、在受拉班壓制時，都沒有忘記那拯救他的我
（Ge 28:5; 29:20, 28； De 26:5）。
你們 雖蒙拯救脫離埃及
（Ho 12:13），
又滿得我的恩惠，卻仍不肯歸向我。
country of Syria——指敘利亞平原，即底格里斯河與伯拉河之間的地帶，故稱米所波大米。巴旦亞蘭意義相同，即「低敘利亞」，與亞蘭（意為「高地」）或敘利亞相對
（Ge 48:7）。
英文原文
12. Jacob fled . . . served--Though ye pride yourselves on the great name of "Israel," forget not that your progenitor was the same Jacob who was a fugitive, and who served for Rachel fourteen years. He forgot not ME who delivered him when fleeing from Esau, and when oppressed by Laban
(Ge 28:5; 29:20, 28; De 26:5).
Ye, though delivered from Egypt
(Ho 12:13),
and loaded with My favors, are yet unwilling to return to Me.
country of Syria--the champaign region of Syria, the portion lying between the Tigris and Euphrates, hence called Mesopotamia. Padan-aram means the same, that is, "Low Syria," as opposed to Aramea (meaning the "high country") or Syria
(Ge 48:7).
13
無標題
13. by a prophet——指摩西
（Nu 12:6-8； De 18:15, 18）。
preserved——譯作「看守」；此處影射
Ho 12:12
中同一 希伯來文 字「看守 羊群」；以色列被神 看守，如同 祂的羊群，正如 雅各看守羊群
（Ps 80:1； Isa 63:11）。
英文原文
13. by a prophet--Moses
(Nu 12:6-8; De 18:15, 18).
preserved--Translate, "kept"; there is an allusion to the same Hebrew word in
Ho 12:12,
"kept sheep"; Israel was kept by God as His flock, even as Jacob kept sheep
(Ps 80:1; Isa 63:11).
14
無標題
14. provoked him——指神。
leave his blood upon him——不除掉以法蓮所流無辜之血的罪孽與刑罰，無論是一般性的，還是特別獻給摩洛的。
his reproach shall his Lord return unto him——以法蓮拜偶像對神所加的羞辱，神必報應到他身上。神憑救贖之權與特別的啟示，是「他的 主」，這不但不能給他逃脫的希望，反倒加重他的罪。無論他們如何廢棄神的統治，神總不放棄他們 屬祂 的身分。
英文原文
14. provoked him--that is, God.
leave his blood upon him--not take away the guilt and penalty of the innocent blood shed by Ephraim in general, and to Molech in particular.
his reproach shall his Lord return unto him--Ephraim's dishonor to God in worshipping idols, God will repay to him. That God is "his Lord" by right redemption and special revelation to Ephraim only aggravates his guilt, instead of giving him hope of escape. God does not give up His claim to them as His, however they set aside His dominion.
Ho 12:1-14.
責備以法蓮與猶大：他們的父雅各應當作他們的榜樣。
這預言大約傳於以色列違背與亞述的盟約、向埃及王梭求援之時（見
Ho 12:1）。
他勸勉他們效法他們父親雅各那堅忍的禱告，正是這禱告為他贏得了神的恩寵。神既不改變，他們若像雅各那樣尋求神，祂也必照樣向雅各的後裔施恩。
1. feedeth on wind——
（Pr 15:14； Isa 44:20）。
追逐虛空之物，如與拜偶像者及其偶像結盟（參
Ho 8:7）。
east wind——指西洛風，自巴勒斯坦東方沙漠吹來，不僅無益，反加損害。以色列所追隨的，不僅是虛空之事，更是有害之事（參
Job 15:2）。
increaseth lies——以謊言堆疊謊言，意即他們用以自欺的詭詐，離棄了神的真理。
desolation——指以色列所行的 強暴欺壓〔MAURER〕。 這些行徑將成為以色列自身 荒涼 的 原因〔CALVIN〕。
covenant with . . . Assyrians——
（Ho 5:13; 7:11）。
oil . . . into Egypt——作為以色列送給埃及的禮物，以求與埃及結盟
（Isa 30:6; 57:9；
參
2Ki 17:4）。
巴勒斯坦以油聞名
（Eze 27:17）。