Old Testament
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Hosea 12:6 Cross References
Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy God continually.
Uncover the Rich Themes and Topics of This Bible Verse
Listed below are the Bible themes associated with Hosea 12:6. We invite you to explore each theme to gain deeper insights into the Scriptures.
Hosea 12:6 Cross Reference Verses
This section features a detailed cross-reference designed to enrich your understanding of the Scriptures. Below, you will find carefully selected verses that echo the themes and teachings related to Hosea 12:6 KJV. Click on any image to explore detailed analyses of related Bible verses and uncover deeper theological insights.

Micah 6:8 (KJV) »
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Lamentations 3:25 (KJV) »
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Micah 7:7 (KJV) »
Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

Hosea 6:1 (KJV) »
Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

Zechariah 7:9 (KJV) »
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:

Zechariah 1:3 (KJV) »
Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.

Hosea 4:1 (KJV) »
Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

James 2:13 (KJV) »
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Hosea 10:12 (KJV) »
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.

Joel 2:13 (KJV) »
And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Acts 26:20 (KJV) »
But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Acts 2:38 (KJV) »
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Zechariah 8:16 (KJV) »
These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:

Zephaniah 3:8 (KJV) »
Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

Habakkuk 2:3 (KJV) »
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Lamentations 3:39 (KJV) »
Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

Psalms 37:7 (KJV) »
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Psalms 27:14 (KJV) »
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalms 123:2 (KJV) »
Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.
Hosea 12:6 Verse Analysis and Similar Verses
Understanding Hosea 12:6
Verse: Hosea 12:6 states, "Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually."
Summary of Meaning
The verse calls for a return to God, emphasizing the importance of mercy, judgment, and patience in one's relationship with the divine. Hosea invites Israel to recognize their errant ways and to restore their commitment to God through righteous living and waiting on Him in faith.
Commentary Insights
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Matthew Henry's Commentary:
Matthew Henry emphasizes the necessity of returning to God with sincerity and true repentance. He focuses on the traits of mercy and justice which God values greatly, indicating that genuine worship involves these moral imperatives. Moreover, he stresses the significance of waiting on God, which signifies reliance on His timing and plans.
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Albert Barnes' Notes:
Albert Barnes notes that the call to "turn" signifies a dramatic change in behavior and orientation towards God. He explains that "mercy" reflects compassion towards others while "judgment" relates to a right understanding and enactment of justice. Continuous waiting on God suggests a posture of trust and hopeful expectation.
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Adam Clarke's Commentary:
Adam Clarke underscores that this verse contains practical advice for the faithful. He points out that 'mercy' involves kindness and forgiveness toward neighbors, while 'judgment' demands fairness and equity. Clarke highlights the importance of cultivating patience in one’s spiritual journey, suggesting that true faith is nurtured through an ongoing relationship with God.
Bible Cross-References
To better understand Hosea 12:6, consider these related Bible verses:
- Micah 6:8 - This verse similarly calls for justice, mercy, and humility before God.
- Isaiah 40:31 - Discusses waiting on the Lord and the strength that comes from such endurance.
- Psalms 37:7 - Encourages waiting patiently for the Lord and trusting in Him.
- James 2:13 - Highlights the importance of mercy in judgment, reflecting God's attributes.
- Romans 12:19-21 - Teaches about overcoming evil with good and practicing mercy.
- Proverbs 21:3 - Mentions that doing righteousness and justice is more acceptable to God than sacrifice.
- Lamentations 3:25-26 - Emphasizes hope and waiting upon the Lord for goodness.
- 1 John 4:8 - States that God is love, underscoring the theme of mercy.
- Matthew 5:7 - Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
- Galatians 6:9 - Encourages not to grow weary in doing good, reinforcing the idea of patience and persistence.
Thematic Connections
Hosea 12:6 ties deeply into themes of love, justice, and faithfulness found throughout scripture. The interconnectedness of these concepts can be explored in various other scriptures to enhance understanding and application in life.
Importance of Cross-Referencing
Using tools for Bible cross-referencing enhances our study of scripture, revealing deeper connections and thematic bridges across the text:
- Cross-reference Bible study: Allows readers to explore links between verses for a comprehensive understanding.
- Bible concordance: A tool that helps in locating verses related to specific words or themes.
- Identifying connections between Old and New Testament: Shows how themes like mercy and justice persist through revelation.
- Comparative study of Pauline epistles: Offers insights into consistent teachings on mercy and grace.
Final Reflection
The call to "turn to thy God" in Hosea 12:6 is a timeless invitation that resonates with believers today. Understanding this verse in light of its context, cross-references, and overarching biblical themes provides a richer appreciation of God's expectations and the nature of our relationship with Him.