3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
3 In the womb he grasped his brother's heel; as a man he struggled with God.
3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God.
3 In the womb, that heel, Jacob, got the best of his brother. When he grew up, he tried to get the best of God.
3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, And in his strength he struggled with God.
3 Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hosea 12:3
Commentary on Hosea 12:1-6
(Read Hosea 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 will reckon with them for it. They are put in mind of what Jacob did, and what God did for him. When his faith upon the Divine promise prevailed 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 a 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 are converted to him, walk with him in all holy conversation and godliness. Let us wrestle with Him for promised blessings, determined not to give over till we prevail; and let us seek Him in his ordinances.