Hosea 12:8
New International Version
Ephraim boasts, “I am very rich; I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin.”

New Living Translation
Israel boasts, “I am rich! I’ve made a fortune all by myself! No one has caught me cheating! My record is spotless!”

English Standard Version
Ephraim has said, “Ah, but I am rich; I have found wealth for myself; in all my labors they cannot find in me iniquity or sin.”

Berean Standard Bible
And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become! I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors, they can find in me no iniquity that is sinful.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And Ephraim said, ‘Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors They shall find in me no iniquity that is sin.’

New American Standard Bible
And Ephraim said, “I have certainly become rich, I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors they will find in me No wrongdoing, which would be sin.”

NASB 1995
And Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors they will find in me No iniquity, which would be sin.”

NASB 1977
And Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors they will find in me No iniquity, which would be sin.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich; I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors they will find in me No iniquity, which would be sin.”

Amplified Bible
Ephraim said, “I have indeed become rich [and powerful as a nation]; I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors they will not find in me Any wickedness that would be sin.”

Christian Standard Bible
But Ephraim thinks, “How rich I have become; I made it all myself. In all my earnings, no one can find any iniquity in me that I can be punished for! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But Ephraim says:” How rich I have become; I made it all myself. In all my earnings, no one can find any crime in me that I can be punished for!”

American Standard Version
And Ephraim said, Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth: in all my labors they shall find in me no iniquity that were sin.

Contemporary English Version
You say to yourself, "I'm rich! I earned it all on my own, without committing a sin."

English Revised Version
And Ephraim said, Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth: in all my labours they shall find in me none iniquity that were sin.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The people of Ephraim say, 'We're rich. We've made a fortune. With all this wealth, no one will find us guilty of any sin.'

Good News Translation
'We are rich,' they say. 'We've made a fortune. And no one can accuse us of getting rich dishonestly.'

International Standard Version
Ephraim claims, 'I have become rich, I have made a fortune! Because of all my wealth, no one will find any iniquity or sin in me.'

Majority Standard Bible
And Ephraim boasts: ?How rich I have become! I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors, they can find in me no iniquity that is sinful.?

NET Bible
Ephraim boasts, "I am very rich! I have become wealthy! In all that I have done to gain my wealth, no one can accuse me of any offense that is actually sinful."

New Heart English Bible
Ephraim said, "Surely I have become rich, I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they won't find in me any iniquity that is sin."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Ephraim said, Yet I have become rich, I have found for myself substance: in all my labors they shall find no iniquity in me that were sin.

World English Bible
Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich. I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they won’t find in me any iniquity that is sin.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Ephraim says, "" Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself, "" All my labors—they do not find against me iniquity that [is] sin.

Young's Literal Translation
And Ephraim saith: 'Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself, All my labours -- they find not against me iniquity that is sin.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Ephraim will say, Surely I became rich, I found to me wealth: all my labors shall not be found to me iniquity which was sin.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Ephraim said: But yet I am be- come rich, I have found me an idol: all my labours shall not find me the iniquity that I have committed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Ephraim has said, “Nevertheless, I have become rich; I have found an idol for myself. All of my labors will not reveal to me the iniquity that I have committed.”

New American Bible
Ephraim has said, “How rich I have become; I have made a fortune!” All his gain will not suffice for the guilt of his sin.

New Revised Standard Version
Ephraim has said, “Ah, I am rich, I have gained wealth for myself; in all of my gain no offense has been found in me that would be sin.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found grief; but all my labors will not be enough to rid me of the sin which I have sinned.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Aphreim said: ”I have become rich and I have found for myself sorrow, and all my labor is not enough to me for the sin that I have sinned”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Ephraim said: 'Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth; In all my labours they shall find in me No iniquity that were sin.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Ephraim said, Nevertheless I am rich, I have found refreshment to myself. None of his labours shall be found available to him, by reason of the sins which he has committed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, Jacob
7A merchant loves to defraud with dishonest scales in his hands. 8And Ephraim boasts: How rich I have become! I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors, they can find in me no iniquity that is sinful.” 9But I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt. I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast.…

Cross References
Revelation 3:17
You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

Luke 12:19-21
Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ / But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ / This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”

Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

Proverbs 11:28
He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Matthew 19:23-24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. / Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Ezekiel 28:5
By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has grown proud because of it.

Zephaniah 1:18
Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth.

James 5:1-3
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days.

Isaiah 47:10
You were secure in your wickedness; you said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray; you told yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’

1 Corinthians 4:7-8
For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? / Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!

Amos 6:13
you who rejoice in Lo-debar and say, ‘Did we not take Karnaim by our own strength?’

Micah 6:12
For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.

Zechariah 11:5
whose buyers slaughter them without remorse. Those who sell them say, ‘Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich!’ Even their own shepherds have no compassion on them.

Job 31:24-25
If I have put my trust in gold or called pure gold my security, / if I have rejoiced in my great wealth because my hand had gained so much,


Treasury of Scripture

And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labors they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

Yet.

Job 31:24,25
If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; …

Psalm 49:6
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

Psalm 52:7
Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.

I have.

Deuteronomy 8:17
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

Isaiah 10:13,14
For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: …

Habakkuk 1:16
Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.

in all, etc.

Proverbs 30:12,20
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness…

Jeremiah 2:23,35
How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways; …

Malachi 2:17
Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?

that.

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Hosea 12
1. A reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob.
3. By former favors he exhorts to repentance.
7. Ephraim's sins provoke God.














And Ephraim boasts
The name "Ephraim" refers to one of the tribes of Israel, often used to represent the Northern Kingdom as a whole. The Hebrew root for "boasts" (פָּרַר, parar) implies a sense of arrogance and self-satisfaction. Historically, Ephraim was a leading tribe in the Northern Kingdom, and its prosperity led to a false sense of security and pride. This phrase sets the tone for the verse, highlighting the tribe's misplaced confidence in material wealth rather than in God.

How rich I have become
The Hebrew word for "rich" (עָשַׁר, ashar) conveys the accumulation of wealth and prosperity. In the context of ancient Israel, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's blessing. However, Ephraim's declaration here is self-centered, indicating a reliance on material success rather than spiritual faithfulness. This reflects a broader biblical theme where reliance on wealth can lead to spiritual complacency and moral decay.

I have found wealth for myself
The phrase underscores the self-reliance and self-congratulation of Ephraim. The Hebrew root for "found" (מָצָא, matsa) suggests discovery or acquisition, emphasizing that Ephraim attributes its success to its own efforts. This self-sufficiency is a stark contrast to the biblical teaching that all blessings come from God. Historically, this attitude contributed to the spiritual decline of the Northern Kingdom, as they turned away from dependence on God.

In all my labors
The word "labors" (יְגִיעַ, yegia) refers to toil and effort. Ephraim's focus on their own hard work as the source of their wealth reveals a misplaced trust in human effort over divine providence. This reflects a common biblical warning against the pride of self-reliance, reminding believers that true success is found in obedience to God and His commandments.

they can find in me no iniquity that is sin
The phrase "no iniquity that is sin" (עָוֹן אֲשֶׁר חֵטְא, avon asher chet) suggests a denial of wrongdoing. Ephraim's claim of innocence is ironic and self-deceptive, as the prophets repeatedly condemned the Northern Kingdom for idolatry and injustice. The Hebrew words for "iniquity" and "sin" highlight the moral and ethical failures that Ephraim refuses to acknowledge. This denial of sin is a common human tendency, but the Bible consistently calls for repentance and humility before God.

(8) Translate, And Ephraim saith, Surely I have become wealthy; I have gotten me substance (i.e., by legitimate means, not robbery): all my earnings bring me not guilt as would be sin (i.e., requiring expiation). Such a coarse pursuit of wealth, and such glorying in the innocence of the entire process by which it has been obtained, has its parallel in the moral position of the Laodicean Church, rebuked by our Lord (Revelation 3).

Verse 8. - And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance. Ephraim in this verse boasts of his riches, though procured by fraud and violence, while he maintains at the same time that he has not sinned thereby so as to expose himself to punishment or deserve severe reprehension. The particle - אַך- has two principal meanings:

(a) "surely" and

(b) "only." In the former sense the clause

(1) may allude to the injunction contained in ver. 6 to wait on God, and may signify, "No doubt I have become rich, yet not through Divine help, but by my own exertions;" in the latter sense it may signify, . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And Ephraim
אֶפְרַ֔יִם (’ep̄·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory

boasts:
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“How rich I have become;
עָשַׁ֔רְתִּי (‘ā·šar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6238: To accumulate, chiefly, to grow, rich

I have found
מָצָ֥אתִי (mā·ṣā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

wealth
א֖וֹן (’ō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 202: Ability, power, wealth

for myself.
לִ֑י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

In all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

my labors,
יְגִיעַ֕י (yə·ḡî·‘ay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3018: Toil, a work, produce, property

they can find
יִמְצְאוּ־ (yim·ṣə·’ū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

in me
לִ֖י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

no
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

iniquity
עָוֺ֥ן (‘ā·wōn)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

that [is]
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

sin.”
חֵֽטְא׃ (ḥêṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2399: A crime, its penalty


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OT Prophets: Hosea 12:8 Ephraim said Surely I have become rich (Ho Hs Hos.)
Hosea 12:7
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