_shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven_ The statement is keenly ironical. So far from being able to help their worshippers, the -calves of Beth-aven" shall occasion the greatest anxiety to their worshippers. Probably however we should make a slight emendation, and render, SHALL BEMOAN THE CA... [ Continue Reading ]
_It shall be also_ Rather, THIS ALSO (viz. the steer) SHALL BE. _for a present to king Jareb_ Just as the kings of Judah repeatedly gave up the gold and silver in the temple to foreign foes. -King Jareb" should rather be THE FIGHTING KING (i.e. the king of Assyria, see on Hosea 5:13). _shall be as... [ Continue Reading ]
_her king_ i. e. not merely the king who happened to be on the throne, but the monarchy itself (as Hosea 10:15). Others, less probably, her idol-god (comp. Amos 5:26). _as the foam_, &c. A striking figure, and singled out for its beauty by so good a judge as Mr Ruskin, but Hosea's is still more app... [ Continue Reading ]
_The high places also of Aven_ Perhaps the same as Beth-aven, i.e. Bethel (Hosea 4:15; Hosea 10:5). But -the high places of idolatry" (as Aben Ezra) is an equally admissible rendering of the phrase; _all_the local sanctuaries of the steer-god will then be referred to. The term -high place" includes... [ Continue Reading ]
_thou hast sinned_ The prophet's language is correct from his own point of view. True, Israel as a people took summary vengeance on the Benjamites for the outrage of Gibeah. But the seed of wickedness remained, and developed into evil practices worthy only of the Gibeah of old. _there they stood …... [ Continue Reading ]
A fresh demonstration of Israel's guiltiness. The prevalent depravity is comparable only to that of the men of Gibeah (see on Hosea 9:9). -The times are out of joint"; all Israel's doings are against nature, and the retribution must be equally exceptional.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah's rejoinder to this tacit challenge. _It is in my desire_ Rather, WHEN I DESIRE, I WILL CHASTISE THEM, AND PEOPLES (i. e. hostile armies), &c. _when they shall bind themselves_, &c. Rather, WHEN I CHASTISE THEM (or, when I bind them, or, when they shall be bound) FOR THEIR TWO INIQUITIES, v... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Ephraim_, &c. Rather, EPHRAIM INDEED IS A HEIFER BROKEN IN AND LOVING TO THRESH, AND I HAVE SPARED THE BEAUTY OF HER NECK; (BUT NOW) WILL I MAKE EPHRAIM TO DRAW. Israel's punishment is enhanced by contrast with her former prosperity, which, as a mark of the Divine goodness, is compared to the c... [ Continue Reading ]
If only a moral miracle could take place, Israel's calamities might yet be averted. Nor is it entirely inconceivable, for miracles, so Hosea thinks, can be wrought by an earnest resolution. Hence Hosea's final appeal. _Sow to yourselves_, &c. Rather, SOW TO YOURSELVES ACCORDING TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, AN... [ Continue Reading ]
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 word for -to plough" has in fact another meaning -to plot." _reaped iniquity_ Better, REAPED INJUSTICE i. e. the injustice of oppressors, whi... [ Continue Reading ]
In a few words the prophet describes the crash of Israel's ruin (comp. Hosea 13:16). _Therefore_ The prophet simply connects the judgment by an -and"; but the next verse clearly shows that sequence is here identical with consequence. _a tumult_ i.e., the tumult, or, more exactly, the -roar", of an... [ Continue Reading ]
_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 the phrases -song of songs", -holy of holies." But it is more natural to suppose that the word -wickedness" was wri... [ Continue Reading ]