Bible Commentary

And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him]. 7. And my people, &c.] This verse gives the ground of the judgment; ‘and’ = ‘for’, ‘in fact.’ The reference to ‘backsliding’ (lit. turning, or turning about) should be taken in connexion … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 11:7”

And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour [them], because of their own counsels. 6. And the sword, &c.] Rather, And the sword shall whirl about in his cities, and shall make an end of his defences (lit. his bars; comp. Jer 51:30). The sword is personified as … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 11:6”

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return. 5. He shall not return into the land of Egypt ] This however is pointless; why should Egypt be mentioned except as the land of bondage? It is also inconsistent with the statements in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 11:5”

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. 4. I drew them with cords of a man, &c.] A new image suggested by Hos 10:11, and descriptive of the fatherly … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 11:4”

I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. 3. I taught Ephraim also to go ] Rather, Whereas I taught Ephraim to go. A figure for the special providence watching over Ephraim. Not Judah, but Ephraim, is spoken of, for the kingdom of Israel … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 11:3”

[As] they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. 2. As they called them, &c.] Or, The more they called them, &c. (comp. Hos 4:7). Since Israel disobeyed the first call by Moses, prophets were sent to repeat the call, but their preaching only seemed … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 11:2”

When Israel [was] a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. 1. When Israel was a child ] i. e., in the earliest stage of Israel’s national existence, which is here dated, not, as in Hos 2:3, from the wanderings in the wilderness, but from the sojourn in Egypt. For … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 11:1”

So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off. 15. So shall Beth-el, &c.] Such is the awful judgment of which the idolatry of Bethel is the cause. your great wickedness ] Lit., ‘your wickedness of wickedness’, with which some compare … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 10:15”

Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon [her] children. 14, 15. In a few words the prophet describes the crash of Israel’s ruin (comp. Hos 13:16). Therefore ] The prophet simply … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 10:14”

Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men. 13. How necessary is this exhortation! For hitherto the Israelites have done the exact opposite. plowed wickedness ] i.e., formed wicked plans (as Job 4:8). The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 10:13”