Bible Commentary

Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD [is] his memorial. 5. Even the Lord God of hosts, &c.] The Hebrew runs more abruptly, ‘And Jehovah’ &c., i.e. ‘and the name of Him who spoke with Jacob is Jehovah.’ ‘Jehovah’ to the prophets conveys the ideas of almightiness, unchangeableness, and faithfulness (comp. Isa 41:4; Mal … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 12:5”

Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him [in] Bethel, and there he spoke with us; 4. he had power over ] Rather, he contended with. he wept, &c.] (The subject is Jacob, not the angel.) This feature is not given in Genesis 32; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 12:4”

He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: 3. He took his brother by the heel ] As if Jacob meant, The Supplanter. The same verb is used by Esau in an unfavourable sense in Gen 27:36; but Hosea here evidently means to edify … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 12:3”

The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him. 2. Jacob ] Here used for the northern kingdom, to prepare the way for the etymological allusion in Hos 12:3. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges The Lord hath … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 12:2”

Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt. 1. wind the east wind ] Note the climax; the parching east wind combines the ideas of destructiveness and emptiness. Comp. Job 15:2; Job … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 12:1”

Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints. 12. The Septuagint, and after it the English Version, mistook the blame of the second half of this verse for praise, and hence attached the verse to chap. 11. Properly, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 11:12”

They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD. 11. tremble as a bird as a dove ] ‘Tremble’ is the literal rendering, but the context shows that a thrill of eagerness doubling the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 11:11”

They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west. 10. They shall walk, &c.] Rather, They shall go after Jehovah, as after a lion that roareth; for he himself shall roar, and sons shall come hurrying from the west (lit. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 11:10”

I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I [am] God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city. 9. I will not return, &c.] The strict rendering of the words is, ‘I will not … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 11:9”

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. 8. deliver thee ] Not in the sense of of the Sept., but in that of Symmachus’ … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 11:8”