He exalted himself in Israel] He became great in God's sight; he rose in the Divine esteem in proportion as he sank in his own. But this did not continue.

He offended in Baal] He became an idolater.

He died.] The sentence of death from the Divine justice went out against him.

This has been differently understood: "As soon as Ephraim spake (To your tents, O Israel!) There was a trembling or commotion: then the kingdom was exalted in Israel." Thus taken, it refers to the division of the ten tribes from Rehoboam, son of Solomon, 1 Kings xii. 16, &c., and the establishment of the kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam in opposition to that of Judah; which breach was never healed.

John Gill's Bible Commentary

Some refer this to the times of Joshua, who was of that tribe, and whom the Israelites feared as they had feared Moses, ( Joshua 4:14); others to the times of Gideon and Jephthah, with whom the tribe of Ephraim expostulated, ( Judges 8:1 12:1); but others interpret it of Jeroboam’s idolatry, of his setting up the worship of the calves, which he did upon his exalting himself, and setting himself up as king of the ten tribes; and, in some agreement with this, Schmidt understands, by “trembling”, a terrible and horrible thing, idolatry, which he commanded and appointed; and which he “bore” or “carried”, as the word is interpreted by him, and may be; that is, his sin, and the punishment of it, which Jeroboam and his posterity did bear; and so it agrees with what follows: but , or “and”, when he offended in Baal, he died ; or when he sinned, and became guilty of more idolatry still, by worshipping Baal, as well as the calves, which was done in the times of Ahab, ( 1 Kings 16:31); when Ephraim or the kingdom or Israel fell into distresses and calamities, sunk in their grandeur and authority, declined in their wealth and riches, and were insulted by their enemies, particularly by Benhadad king of Syria, who sent to Ahab, and challenged his silver and gold, his wives and children, as his own, ( Kings 20:3,4); and so they gradually decreased in credit and reputation, in power and authority, in wealth and substance, and at last were delivered to the sword of the enemy, and to captivity, which was their civil death.

Matthew Henry Commentary

Hos. 12:1-6 Ephraim feeds himself with vain hopes of help from man when he is at enmity with God. The Jews vainly thought to secure the Egyptians by a present of the produce of their country. Judah is contended with also. God sees the sin of his own people, and wil reckon with them for it. They are put in mind of what Jacob did, an what God did for him. When his faith upon the Divine promise prevaile above his fears, then by his strength he had power with God. He is Jehovah, the same that was, and is, and is to come. What was revelation of God to one, is his memorial to many, to all generations Then let those who have gone from God, be turned to him. Turn thou to the Lord, by repentance and faith, as thy God. Let those that ar converted to him, walk with him in all holy conversation and godliness Let us wrestle with Him for promised blessings, determined not to giv over till we prevail; and let us seek Him in his ordinances.

Hos. 12:7-14 Ephraim became a merchant: the word also signifies Canaanite. They carried on trade upon Canaanitish principles covetously and with fraud and deceit. Thus they became rich, an falsely supposed that Providence favoured them. But shameful sins shal have shameful punishments. Let them remember, not only what a might prince Jacob was with God, but what a servant he was to Laban. The benefits we have had from the word of God, make our sin and folly the worse, if we put any slight upon that word. We had better follow the hardest labour in poverty, than grow rich by sin. We may form judgment of our own conduct, by comparing it with that of ancien believers in the like circumstances. Whoever despises the message of God, will perish. May we all hear his word with humble, obedient faith __________________________________________________________________

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