Bible Commentary

Israel hath cast off [the thing that is] good: the enemy shall pursue him. 3. The appeal is dismissed; Israel’s piety is but superficial (comp. Hos 6:1-4); his ‘knowledge of God’ is not that which Jehovah expects. hath cast off ] Not merely put aside out of caprice, but (as the word implies) cast off … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 8:3”

Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee. 2. Israel shall cry ] Rather, Unto me they will (then) cry, My God, we Israel know thee. When the punishment comes, they will cry aloud to Jehovah, and lay stress upon their belonging to Him. ‘Israel’ is mentioned, as the title of honour (the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 8:2”

[Set] the trumpet to thy mouth. [He shall come] as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law. 1 7. In great emotion (which reflects itself in the short clauses) the prophet announces the imminent invasion of N. Israel, and its true causes idolatry … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 8:1”

They return, [but] not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this [shall be] their derision in the land of Egypt. 16. They return, but not to the most High ] Rather, They turn (i.e. shift or change), but … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 7:16”

Though I have bound [and] strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against me. 15. Though I have bound and strengthened their arms ] Rather, I indeed have trained and strengthened their arms. The Israelites had had a proof of this not long since when ‘Jehovah saw the affliction of Israel that it was … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 7:15”

And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, [and] they rebel against me. 14. with their heart, when they howled ] Rather, in their heart, but they howl. The prophet contrasts the quiet communion of the heart with Jehovah and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 7:14”

Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me. 13. they have fled from me ] like birds scared out of their nest (Isa 16:2); but the Israelites have only themselves to blame for … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 7:13”

When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard. 12. When they shall go ] Rather, As soon as they go. I will spread my net ] The image of Jehovah’s net is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 7:12”

Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria. 11. Ephraim also is like ] Rather, But Ephraim is become like a silly dove without understanding. This verse does not begin a fresh section, but is closely connected with the preceding. As a dove, fleeing from a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 7:11”

And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this. 10. And the pride of Israel ] Repeated from Hos 5:5, just as Hos 12:9 a is repeated in Hos 13:4 a. It is not the prophet who speaks condemning … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 7:10”