Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 8:14
For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.
14. A fresh reason for the ‘swallowing up’ of which the prophet has spoken ( Hos 8:8) Israel’s worldliness and self-dependence.
buildeth temples ] It seems doubtful however whether Hosea would have laid such stress on the wickedness of many temples and many altars (see Hos 8:11). More probably ‘temples’ should be palaces (the primitive meaning of the Assyrian cognate is ‘great house’), in which case for ‘palaces’ at the close of the verse we had better substitute castles. It is not so much the ‘palaces’ and the ‘castles’ themselves as the worldliness and the tyranny of those who lived in them that Hosea denounces.
but I will send a fire ] Referring to both Israel and Judah. Remarkably enough, we find these words repeated seven times in Amos as a refrain to as many denunciations (Amo 1:4 to Amo 2:5). It seems hardly likely that so original a prophet should have quoted these words; perhaps they were a well-known prophetic commonplace.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For Israel hath forgotten his Maker – God was his Maker, not only as the Creator of all things, but as the Author of his existence as a people, as He saith, hath he not made thee, and established thee? Deu 32:6.
And buildeth temples – as for the two calves, at Bethel and at Dan. Since God had commanded to build one temple only, that at Jerusalem, to build temples was in itself sin. The sin charged on Ephraim is idolatry; that of Judah is self-confidence ; from where Isaiah blames them, that they were busy in repairing the breaches of the city, and cutting off the supplies of water from the enemy; but ye have not looked unto the Maker thereof, neither had respect unto Him, that fashioned it long ago Isa 22:11. Jeremiah also says, that they shall impoverish (or, crush) the fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword Jer 5:17.
But I will send a fire upon his cities – In the letter, the words relate to Judah; but in substance, the whole relates to both. Both had forgotten God; both had offended Him. In the doom of others, each sinner may read his own. Of the cities of Judah, Isaiah says, your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire Isa 1:7 and in the fourteenth year of Hezekiah, (some twelve years probably after the death of Hosea) Sennacherib came up against all the cities of Judah and took them 2Ki 18:13; and of Jerusalem it is related, that Nebuchadnezzar burnt the house of the Lord, and the kings house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great mans house he burnt with fire 2Ki 25:8-9. Man set them on fire; God brought it to pass; and, in order to teach us that He doeth all things, giving all good, overruling all evil, saith that He was the doer of it.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Hos 8:14
For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities.
Neither the religion nor security of a nation to be judged by appearances
The temples are the idolatrous temples built after the models from Syrophoenicia. Fenced cities are fortified places erected against foreign invaders.
1. The multiplicity of temples is no infallible proof of the growth of religion in a country. When we think of the moral causes that often lead to the erection of temples, they rather prove our forgetfulness of God. They are greed, spite, sectism.
2. The increase of national defences is no proof of the increase of national security. The safety of a people is in the moral excellence of their character, and in the guardianship of heaven. (Homilist.)
God forgotten
Prosperous men become dangerously independent, and in their pride they forget God, and exclaim with Nebuchadnezzar, Is not this great Babylon that I have built? As Daniel Quorm quaintly says, The devil is called in the Bible Beelzebub–that do mean, the god o flies–and youre sure to find em a-buzzin about the honey-pots o prosperity. Nothing so completely blinds a man as gold-dust, for he cannot even see God–he is a practical atheist. Affluence leads first to indifference, then to coldness, then to unbelief, then to cynicism, and then to godlessness! Henry IV. once asked the Duke of Alva if he had observed certain eclipses which had occurred that year. No, was the reply, I have had so much business to attend to upon earth, that I have had no time even to look up to heaven. This is one of the perils of prosperity–to forget God, and leave heaven out of account. (Helping Words.)
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Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 14. Israel hath forgotten his Maker] And therefore built temples to other gods. Judah had lost all confidence in the Divine protection, and therefore built many fenced cities. But the fire of God’s anger burnt up both the temples and the fortified cities.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Israel; the ten revolted idolatrous tribes.
Hath forgotten; the same with Hos 2:5, which see; or Hos 4:1,6. Either remembers not at all, or it is without love, thankfulness, and consideration what becomes him towards God. His Maker; who made, who preserved, who advanced them, and gave them all those privileges wherein they excel other nations; who brought them out of Egypt, &c.
Buildeth temples; the word will bear palaces, or towers. It is like their idol temples were magnificent, that they might boast of them, and strong like towers, that they might for need garrison and fortify them, and trust in their strength in a day of war and trouble.
Judah hath multiplied fenced cities; on like designs and motives doth Judah multiply strong holds, fortifying against threatened judgments, making flesh their arm, whilst their heart (as at this time of Ahazs reign and apostacy) did depart from the living God.
Send a fire upon his cities; bring an enemy upon them that shall besiege them in their cities, and burn them, which was effected by Nebuchadnezzar and his armies about one hundred and thirty years after.
It shall devour the palaces; the stately palaces of their princes and nobles in their cities, these shall be burnt too. Judah hath imitated Israel, and made himself like to Israel in sin, and God will make them like in sufferings; the fire which their sin hath kindled shall consume both.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14. forgotten . . . Maker (De32:18).
templesto idols.
Judah . . . fencedcitiesJudah, though less idolatrous than Israel, betrayed lackof faith in Jehovah by trusting more to its fenced cities than toHim; instead of making peace with God, Judah multiplied humandefenses (Isa 22:8; Jer 5:17;Mic 5:10; Mic 5:11).
I will send . . . fire upon .. . citiesSennacherib burned all Judah’s fenced cities exceptJerusalem (2Ki 18:13).
palaces thereofnamely,of the land. Compare as to Jerusalem, Jer17:27.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For Israel hath forgotten his Maker,…. The Creator and Preserver of everyone of them, and who had raised them up to a state and kingdom, and had made them great and rich, and populous, and bestowed many favours and blessings on them; and yet they forgot him, to give him glory, and to serve and worship him:
and buildeth temples; to idols, as the Targum adds; to the calves at Dan and Bethel, at which places, as there were altars set up, and priests appointed, so temples and houses of high places built to worship in; see 1Ki 12:31;
and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities; to protect them from their enemies, which was not unlawful; but that they should put their trust and confidence in them, and not in the Lord their God, which was their sin; when they saw the ten tribes carried captive by the Assyrians, they betook themselves to such methods for their security, but were not careful to avoid those sins which brought ruin upon Israel:
but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof; that is, an enemy, that should set fire to their cities, particularly Jerusalem their chief city, and burn the temple of the Lord, the palaces of their king and nobles, and all the fine houses of the great men; which was done many years after this prophecy, by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Jer 52:13.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Here the Prophet concludes his foregoing observations. It is indeed probable that he preached them at various times; but, as I have already said, the heads of the sermons which the Prophet delivered are collected in this book, so that we may know what his teaching was. He then discoursed daily on idolatry, on superstitions, and on the other corruptions which then prevailed among the people; he often repeated the same threatenings, but afterwards collected into certain chapters the things which he had spoken. The conclusion, then, of his former teaching was this, that Israel had forgotten his Maker, whilst for himself he had been building temples He says, that he forgot his Maker by building temples because he followed not the directions of the law. We hence see that God will have himself to be known by his word. Israel might have objected and said, that no such thing was intended, when he built temples in Dan and Bethel, but that he wished by these to retain the remembrance of God. But the Prophet here shows that God is not truly known, and that men do not really remember him, except when they worship him according to what the law prescribes, except when they submit themselves wholly to his word, and undertake nothing,and attempt nothing, but what he has commanded. What then the superstitious say is remembrance, the Prophet here plainly testifies is forgetfullness. The case is the same at this day, when we blame the Papists for their idols; their excuse is this, that what they set forth is in pictures and statues the image of God, and that images, as they say, are the books of the illiterate. But what does the Prophet answer here? That Israel forgot his Maker There was an altar in Bethel, and there Israel was wont to offer sacrifices, and they called this the worship of God; but the Prophet shows that each worship was accursed before God, and that it had no other effect than wholly to obliterate the holy name of God from the minds of men, so that the whole of religion perished.
Remarkable then is this passage; for the Prophet says, that the people forgot God their Maker, when they built temples for themselves But what was in the temples so vicious, as to take away the remembrance of God from the world? Even because God would have but one temple and altar. If a reason was asked, a reason might indeed have been given; but the people ought to have acquiesced in the command of God. Though God may not show why he commands this or that, it is enough that we ought to obey his word. Now, then, it appears, that when Israel built for himself various temples, he departed from God, and for this reason, because he followed not the rule of the law, and kept not himself within the limits of the divine command. Hence it was to forget God. We now apprehend the object of the Prophet.
Though then they were wont to glory in their temples, and there to display their pomp and splendor, and proudly to delight in their superstitions, yet the Prophet says, that they had forgotten their Creator, and for this reason only, because they had not continued in his law. He says, that they had forgotten God their Maker; by the word Maker, the Prophet alludes not to God as the framer of the world and the creator of men, but he applies it to the condition of the people. For, as we well know, the favor of God had been peculiar towards that people; he had not only made them, as a part of the human race, but also formed them a people to himself. Since then God had thus intended them to be devoted to him, the Prophet here increases and enhances their sin, when he says, that they obeyed not his word, but followed their own devices and depraved imaginations.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
CRITICAL NOTES.
Hos. 8:14. Forgotten] Deu. 32:18. Israel reared idol temples: Judah increased fortified cities; the sin of both, forgetfulness of God and deification of self as displayed in their buildings. God would destroy all these castles of security (Jer. 17:27; Amo. 2:5). Nothing can protect in judgment but the refuge, the hiding-place which he has provided.
HOMILETICS
CASTLES OF FALSE SECURITY.Hos. 8:14
The sin of Judah and Israel is here traced to one causeforgetfulness of God. Though he made and established them as a nation, their self-confidence and idolatry led them to forsake and offend God, to build temples and palaces, which he destroyed by fire.
I. Men build temples in forgetfulness of God. Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples. There was only one temple, to build more was to disobey God. Yet they build in professed recognition of God, act religiously, but sin wilfully. Giving land, building churches and benevolent institutions, not always a proof of religious prosperity.
1. Temples are built in superstition. Like the monasteries of the middle ages, for the remission of sins, the redemption of souls, and the honour of saints.
2. Temples are built in spite. Men have grievances, secede from other places and build for themselves.
3. Temples are built in the interests of sectarianism. All sects rival each other in this respect, and seek to cover the land with their churches and chapels. Temples built in forgetfulness of God, to commemorate man, are not required at our hands. Ye have not looked unto the Maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.
II. Men increase national defences in forgetfulness of God. Judah hath multiplied defenced cities. Nebuchadnezzar erected Babylon in self-confidence and pride. Samaria and Jerusalem were strongly fortified, but destroyed at last. The strength of a nation depend not upon the skill of its parliament and the splendour of its fleets; nor the valour of its soldiers and the number of its fortifications. God alone is our defence; for he can impoverish the fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst. Men who found empires and build cities in opposition to him can never succeed. The Roman Empire crumbled away by the weight of its greatness. The kingdoms of Alexander, Csar, and Napoleon came to nought. Babylon and Carthage, Macedon and Persia, Greece and Rome were built, prospered for a while, and then declined. The safety of a nation is in the moral conduct of its people and the guardianship of God. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
ILLUSTRATIONS TO CHAPTER 8
Hos. 8:14. Defence. When Nicephorus Phocas had built a strong wall about his palace for his own security, in the night time, he heard a voice crying to him, O Emperor! though thou build thy wall as high as the clouds, yet, if sin be within, it will overthrow it [Foster].
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(14) Temples.The word here used for temple is used sixty times for Jehovahs temple. The building of these temple-palaces was a distinct sin against the unity of the Godhead.
Judah hath multiplied fenced cities.Referred to by Sennacherib, in the inscription relating to the campaign of 701 B.C. Forty-six of his (Hezekiahs) strong cities, fortresses . . . I besieged, I captured. These were erected by Uzziah and Jotham (2Ch. 26:10; 2Ch. 27:4). With the allusions to Israels temples (palaces) compare Amo. 3:11; Amo. 3:15.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
For Israel has forgotten his Maker, and built palaces,
And Judah has multiplied fortified cities,
But I will send a fire on his cities,
And it will devour its castles.’
And all this was because Israel had forgotten its Maker (compare Deu 32:15; Deu 32:18) and were therefore, along with Judah, busy making themselves substitutes, this included multiplied fortified cities, palaces and castles, and multiplied altars. But once the one living God had been dispensed with, replacing Him would prove impossible. However, all these would be destroyed by fire, just as their false sacrifices had been.
The mention of Judah makes Judah’s inclusion in Hosea’s indictments all the more clear. They are not now simply seen as involved in the cult, but it is indirectly confirmed that they were in danger of being in wholesale rebellion against YHWH. His knowledge concerning the fortification of their cities brings home how familiar he was with what was going on in Judah.
We may summarise the situation of Israel as follows:
1) They had usurped Yahweh’s sovereign authority over the nation (Hos 8:4).
2) They were blatantly worshipping idols (Hos 8:4-6).
3) They were depending on foreign treaties rather than on God (Hos 8:9-10).
4) They had adopted and perpetuated a corrupt system of worship (Hos 8:5-6; Hos 8:11; Hos 8:13).
5) They had arrogantly disregarded YHWH’s Law (Hos 8:1-3; Hos 8:5; Hos 8:12; Hos 8:14).
6) They had forgotten their Maker (Hos 8:14).
It was no wonder that God purposed final judgment upon them until they could in the distant future be brought back to repentance.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
REFLECTIONS
READER! Was there ever a period in the Church of Christ, when those that are divinely inspired, and called to the office of ambassadors for Jesus, needed to set the trumpet more powerfully to the mouth, and to call upon the sinners in Zion to be afraid for the impending judgments of God? Surely the Lord hath a controversy with the people, and he will plead with Israel. But, blessed Jesus! how sweet and refreshing doth it become to thy faithful ones, however few in number, that the interests of thy redeemed are safe, neither shall hell’s gates prevail against the Church of Jesus. The enemy may have a momentary triumph; the adversaries of God’s people seem to rejoice. The Church languishes in all her borders. But there is a set time to favour Zion, and in due season the Lord will arise to manifest his sovereignty, and the lighting down of his glorious arm. In the sure expectation of this, let God’s tried ones repose, looking unto Jesus, who is both the Author, and Finisher, of faith. Shortly he will come to take out of his kingdom all things that offend; and prove himself to be the whole of salvation to his redeemed. In that blessed day of God, may it be the felicity, both of him that writes, and him that reads, (if the Lord will,) to be found among the ransomed of Zion, that shall return with songs of everlasting joy upon their heads, when sorrow and sighing, sin, sickness, and death, shall be known and felt no more.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Hos 8:14 For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.
Ver. 14. For Israel hath forgotten his maker ] Not more his factor than his benefactor, as, 1Sa 12:6 , the Lord made Moses and Aaron, i.e. he advanced them to that honour in his Church. So our Saviour is said to have made twelve, when he ordained them to the apostleship, Mar 3:14 . And the apostle saith of Israel, that God exalted the people, when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, Act 13:17 , sc. to the privilege of his peculiar people, the possession of the promised land, the custody of his oracles and services, &c., besides the many benefits and deliverances wrought for them. All which they are said to have forgotten: 1. Because they laid them not to heart, see Isa 57:11 , they saw not God in them; 2. Because their lives were not answerable; they walked not worthy of such a God; but said (in effect), “We are delivered to do all these abominations,” Jer 7:10 . God challengeth remembrance, and well he may, Ecc 12:1 , for he hath created us for his glory, Isa 43:7 , he hath formed us, yea, he hath made us (as it followeth there, and all that we might remember him): the word (made) is used for a degree of grace after creation. Those that are his workmanship, his artificial facture ( ), created in Christ Jesus (who is the beginning of this creation of God, Rev 3:14 ) unto good works, Eph 2:10 , if ever they should forget God (which is the character of a wicked man, Psa 50:22 ); if they should forsake God that made them, and lightly esteem tha Rock of their salvation, Deu 32:15 , as Solomon did the Lord that had appeared unto him twice; if they should not prefer him above their chief joy, or make him ascend above the head of their joy (as the Hebrew hath it, Psa 137:6 ), and set him over all, as Pharaoh did Joseph (causing sun, moon, and stars to do obeisance to him), I mean, all their natural, moral, temporal, and spiritual abilities to be subject and serviceable to him; he would have an unanswerable action against them, and both heaven and earth Would have cause to blush at their disingenuity and unthankfulness. Let it ever be remembered, that of all things God cannot abide to be forgotten.
And buildeth temples
And Judah hath multiplied fenced cities
I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
forgotten His Maker. Ref to Pentateuch (Deu 32:18).
buildeth temples. Compare 1Ki 12:31, and 2Ch 24:7 with 2Ch 23:17.
fenced cities = fortified cities. See 2Ch 26:9, 2Ch 26:10.
his cities. See 2Ki 18:13, i.e. Judah’s.
the palaces thereof = her citadels, the feminine suffix agreeing with “cities”, which is feminine in Heb Modern critics regard this verse as “a later addition, perhaps borrowed from Amos”, because “palaces or idol temples are not referred to by Hosea”!
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
forgotten: Hos 13:6, Deu 32:18, Psa 106:21, Isa 17:10, Jer 2:32, Jer 3:21, Jer 23:27
Maker: Isa 29:23, Isa 43:21, Eph 2:10
and buildeth: 1Ki 12:31, 1Ki 16:31
and Judah: 2Ch 26:10, 2Ch 27:4, Isa 22:8-11
I will send: 2Ki 18:13, Isa 42:13, Isa 42:25, Jer 17:27, Amo 1:4, Amo 1:10, Amo 1:12, Amo 1:14, Amo 2:5
Reciprocal: Exo 32:5 – Aaron Jdg 17:5 – an house of gods 1Sa 14:35 – built Jer 6:5 – let us destroy Eze 23:35 – Because Hos 4:6 – seeing Hos 5:5 – Judah Hos 7:16 – return Mic 1:1 – concerning
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Hos 8:14. In a summing up of the Lords complaint against Israel, the kingdom of Judah received a notice because that kingdom also was becoming corrupt. Both houses of Jews were destined to be overthrown by the foreign forces to be brought against them.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Hos 8:14. For Israel hath forgotten his Maker Hath forgotten him who formed them into a people, preserved and advanced them, and conferred on them all those privileges wherein they excelled all other nations: either they have not remembered him at all, or have done it without reverence, gratitude, love, or consideration of the duty and service which they owe him. And buildeth temples For idolatrous worship. And Judah hath multiplied fenced cities To secure themselves from the invasion of the enemy. When the Jews saw what incursions were made upon the Israelites, or the ten tribes, by the Assyrians, they diligently set about fortifying their cities, thinking to find security in so doing, and putting greater confidence in their fortifications than in Gods protection. But I will send afire upon his cities My judgments shall destroy them, as surely as if a fire had been kindled in them. Or the threatening may be interpreted literally; for when Sennacherib took all the fenced cities of Judah, except Jerusalem, he undoubtedly set fire to many of them, as conquerors were wont to do in those days.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Both Israel and Judah had forgotten that Yahweh had made her what she had become. Instead of continuing to trust and obey Him, the people had put their confidence in their own ability to provide for themselves. This attitude of self-reliance manifested itself in building palaces and fortified cites as places of prominence and protection. Palaces and fortified cites are not wrong in themselves, but in this context, set against remembering Yahweh, they were expressions of self-trust. As judgment the Lord would burn down their palaces and fortified cities. He would remove the objects of their confidence and teach the people their personal inadequacy. Tiglath-Pileser III did this when he destroyed Samaria and the other Israelites cities, and Sennacherib did it when he attacked all the fortified cities of Judah (2Ki 17:6; 2Ki 18:13).
To summarize, five types of sin stand out in this section as reasons for Israel’s punishment. Israel had usurped Yahweh’s sovereign authority to lead the nation (Hos 8:4) and had worshipped idols (Hos 8:4-6). Israel depended on foreign treaties rather than God (Hos 8:9-10) and had adopted and perpetuated a corrupt cult (system of worship, Hos 8:5-6; Hos 8:11; Hos 8:13). And Israel arrogantly disregarded Yahweh’s Law (Hos 8:1-3; Hos 8:5; Hos 8:12; Hos 8:14).