Hosea Chapter 12 verse 3 Holy Bible
In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he had power with God:
read chapter 12 in ASV
The Lord has a cause against Judah, and will give punishment to Jacob for his ways; he will give him the reward of his acts.
read chapter 12 in BBE
He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength he wrestled with God.
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He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
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read chapter 12 in WBT
In the womb he took his brother by the heel; And in his manhood he had power with God.
read chapter 12 in WEB
In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And by his strength he was a prince with God,
read chapter 12 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 3. - He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power (margin, was a prince, or, behaved himself princely) with God. In this verse and the following the prophet looks away back into the far-distant past; and this retrospect, which is suggested by the names Jacob and Israel, reminds him of two well-known events in the life of the patriarch-The meaning and intention of this reminiscence are differently interpreted. The two leading views are the following: (1) Some are of opinion that the prophet means to give an example by way of warning, and to mention a trait of Jacob's overreaching cunning, and likewise of his violence, and thereby show that Jacob had incurred guilt in a manner resembling that of the then present generation; that is to say, his conduct had been like to theirs in deceit, lying, and violence. But (2) according to others, and we agree with them, the object of the prophet in these verses is to admonish them to imitate the conduct of their progenitor, and to remind them of the distinction which he had obtained thereby, as an encourage-merit to them to go and do likewise. (3) Another interpretation, somewhat similar to . . .
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(3, 4) Had power.--Should be, strove. Prayers and tears were the weapons used in the memorable struggle for pardon, reconciliation, peace in the self-conquest as well as the God-conquest which was achieved. "At Bethel He (Jehovah) found him (Jacob)" not once only, but on repeated occasions (Genesis 28:11; Genesis 35:1),and in the subsequent history of the children of Israel.
