King James Version

What Does Hosea 10:11 Mean?

Hosea 10:11 in the King James Version says “And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I wi... — study this verse from Hosea chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. her: Heb. the beauty of her neck

Hosea 10:11 · KJV


Context

9

O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.

10

It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows. when: or, when I shall bind them for their two transgressions, or, in their two habitations

11

And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. her: Heb. the beauty of her neck

12

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

13

Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Trained heifer turned to plowing: 'And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.' Ephraim like עֶגְלָה מְלֻמָּדָה (eglah melumdah, trained heifer) loving to thresh (דּוּשׁ, dush—pleasant work, eating while working, Deuteronomy 25:4). But God will yoke fair neck for harder work: Ephraim to pull plow, Judah to plow, Jacob to break clods. This demonstrates that refusing disciplined service leads to forced labor. Willing obedience is easier than compulsory service. Christ's yoke is easy compared to sin's bondage (Matthew 11:28-30).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Threshing (trampling grain) was relatively pleasant work for oxen—moving freely, eating grain (Deuteronomy 25:4). Plowing required harder labor: pulling heavy plow through resistant soil. The metaphor describes Israel's preference for covenant benefits (pleasant threshing) without covenant obligations (hard plowing). God's response: yoking them for harder discipline through exile and oppression. Judah mentioned alongside Ephraim suggests both kingdoms eventually experience this harder yoking. Historically, Assyrian and Babylonian servitude proved far harder than covenant service to YHWH would have been. This demonstrates that resisting God's light discipline results in experiencing heavier discipline.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does preferring 'threshing' (pleasant activity with benefits) over 'plowing' (hard necessary work) describe spiritual immaturity?
  2. What does Christ's 'easy yoke' teach about how willing service to God is lighter than resistant slavery to sin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙1 of 17

And Ephraim

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

עֶגְלָ֤ה2 of 17

is as an heifer

H5697

a (female) calf, especially one nearly grown (i.e., a heifer)

מְלֻמָּדָה֙3 of 17

that is taught

H3925

properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)

אֹהַ֣בְתִּי4 of 17

and loveth

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

לָד֔וּשׁ5 of 17

to tread out

H1758

to trample or thresh

וַאֲנִ֣י6 of 17
H589

i

עָבַ֔רְתִּי7 of 17

the corn but I passed over

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

עַל8 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

ט֖וּב9 of 17

upon her fair

H2898

good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness, welfare

צַוָּארָ֑הּ10 of 17

neck

H6677

the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)

אַרְכִּ֤יב11 of 17

to ride

H7392

to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch

אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙12 of 17

And Ephraim

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

יַחֲר֣וֹשׁ13 of 17

shall plow

H2790

to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad

יְהוּדָ֔ה14 of 17

Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

יְשַׂדֶּד15 of 17

shall break his clods

H7702

to abrade, i.e., harrow a field

ל֖וֹ16 of 17
H0
יַעֲקֹֽב׃17 of 17

and Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hosea. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hosea 10:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hosea 10:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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