Hosea 12:7

Translations

Modern

A merchant loves to defraud with dishonest scales in his hands.

Traditional

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

Literal

A Canaanite has scales of deceit in his hand; he loves to oppress.

Latin

Chanaan, in manu ejus statera dolosa, calumniam dilexit.

Original

Hebrew

English

A merchant loves to defraud with dishonest scales in his hands.

Notes

Hosea 12:7–8

During the reign of Jeroboam II (793–753 BC), Israelite merchants became very wealthy. They often used deceitful business practices like dishonest scales (see Amos 8:5–6).
The Hebrew term for merchants is kena‘an (“Canaan”). Canaanite traders were known in the ancient world for their crafty dealings. The Israelites imitated their pagan neighbors in both religion and commerce.

Hosea 11:12–12:14

Israel has engaged in deception and dishonesty since Jacob's time.

Theme notes and profiles

Jacob

Events

Prophecies of Hosea

Related verses

Amos 8:5–6
…asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales.
Micah 6:10–11
Can I forget any longer, O house of the wicked, the treasures of wickedness and the short ephah, which is accursed?
Proverbs 11:1
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.
Zechariah 14:21
Indeed, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the LORD of Hosts, and all who sacrifice will come and take some pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of the LORD of Hosts.
1 Timothy 6:9–10
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
James 5:4
Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.
Micah 7:2
The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net.
Amos 3:9
Proclaim to the citadels of Ashdod and to the citadels of Egypt: “Assemble on the mountains of Samaria; see the great unrest in the city and the acts of oppression in her midst.”
John 2:16
To those selling doves He said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a marketplace!”
Micah 3:1–3
Then I said: “Hear now, O leaders of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel. Should you not know justice?
Isaiah 3:5
The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable.
Ezekiel 16:3
…and tell her that this is what the Lord GOD says to Jerusalem: Your origin and your birth were in the land of the Canaanites. Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.

Glossary

Balance, Balances Hosea, Book of Weights and Measures

Topics

Balances: False Balance Used Being Evenly Yoked Commerce: Evil Practices Connected With Dishonesty: General Scriptures Concerning Measure: Must be Just Merchant: General Scriptures Concerning Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Captivity, Famine, and Judgments

Hosea 12:7

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