Bible Commentary

I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel: there [is] the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled. 10, 11. Jehovah is still the speaker. From his heavenly ‘place’ he points indignantly (as Hos 6:7) to the abominations practised ‘there’, i.e. in the whole land of Israel, for even Judah has not escaped … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 6:10”

And as troops of robbers wait for a man, [so] the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness. 9. And as troops ] Rather, And as bandits lying in wait, (so doth) the company of priests; they murder on the road towards Shechem; yea, they commit outrages. The reference … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 6:9”

Gilead [is] a city of them that work iniquity, [and is] polluted with blood. 8. Gilead ] Here alone, and probably in Jdg 10:17, mentioned as the name of a town. We still find the name of Gilead (in its Arabic form Jil‘d) lingering at various parts of the ancient Gilead, but we cannot venture … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 6:8”

But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me. 7. The contrast between Israel’s conduct and Jehovah’s requirements. But they like men ] Literally, But they they like (other) men transgress the covenant (or, perhaps, the ordinance, see on Hos 8:1). The word rendered ‘men’ ( ’dm) means ordinary … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 6:7”

For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. 6. A further explanation of these severe judgments, the moral effect of which the prophet has been considering. For I desired mercy and not sacrifice ] Rather, for I delight in piety and not in sacrifice. The Hebrew is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 6:6”

Therefore have I hewed [them] by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments [are as] the light [that] goeth forth. 5. Similar fitful repentances have already forced Jehovah to interpose, like a severe but kind physician who will cut out the diseased part rather than suffer the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 6:5”

O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness [is] as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. 4. The answer of Jehovah, who cannot be satisfied with such a superficial repentance and such hasty resolutions of ‘knowing’ Him. what shall … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 6:4”

Then shall we know, [if] we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter [and] former rain unto the earth. 3. Then shall we know, &c.] But as this construction is resumptive of Hos 6:1, we had … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 6:3”

After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. 2. This verse contains the germ of the striking allegory of the dry bones (Eze 37:1-10), and reminds us also of the prediction of an Israelitish resurrection in Isa 26:19. The idea … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 6:2”

Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. 1. he will heal us ] At any rate the Israelites have found out the true physician (comp. Hos 7:1, Hos 11:3). Assyria ‘could not heal them’ (Hos 5:13). … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Hosea 6:1”