King James Version

What Does Hosea 12:7 Mean?

“He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress. a merchant: or, Canaan oppress: or, deceive”

Context

Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.

Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress. a merchant: or, Canaan oppress: or, deceive

And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin. in all: or, all my labours suffice me not: he shall have punishment of iniquity in whom is sin that: Heb. which

And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) **He is** **a merchant.—**The vivid and fierce light of the prophet’s words is obscured in the English version. The rendering “he is a merchant” originates from the fact that Canaan (rendered “merchant”) is often used predominantly of Phœnicia, and Canaanites of Phœnicians, the great trading race (Isaiah 23:11; Job 40:30). Translate: *As for Canaan, in his hand are false balances. He loves cheating.* The descendants of Canaan (the son of Ham, the abhorred son of Noah) became in their whole career a curse and a bye-word in every religious and ethical sense. The princes of Tyre, the merchandise of Phœnicia, were, perhaps, then in the prophet’s mind. (Comp. Ezekiel 27) Moreover, the prophet hints that Ephraim had imbibed Phœnicia’s love of gain and habits of unscrupulous trade. The literature of this period contains frequent references to these tendencies in Israel (Amos 2:6; Amos 8:5; Micah 6:10).

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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 12:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.