Hosea 7 - Introduction
VII. This oracle is probably in the beginning of Hoshea’s reign, and deals exclusively with the condition of the northern kingdom.... [ Continue Reading ]
VII. This oracle is probably in the beginning of Hoshea’s reign, and deals exclusively with the condition of the northern kingdom.... [ Continue Reading ]
Translate, _When I heal Israel_ (referring to a cessation in the attacks of the menacing foe, or to such a thrill of finer feeling as that which is recorded in 2 Chronicles 28:8), _then is revealed the iniquity of Ephraim and the wickedness of Samaria, that they commit falsehood._ Samaria here susta... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE BESET THEM ABOUT. — The wicked deeds of the nation crowded around them as witnesses to reveal their treason against Jehovah.... [ Continue Reading ]
GLAD. — The evil awakens no alarm, but rather sympathy and gladness, in the breasts of their kings and rulers, who are ready to follow suit in all deeds of violence.... [ Continue Reading ]
Render, _ceaseth heating from the kneading of the dough till its leavening._ The baker is unremitting in his exertions to keep up the heat of the oven, the smouldering fire being fed on camel’s dung and the like fuel, except when he is obliged to occupy himself with preparing the dough for baking —... [ Continue Reading ]
Following the hint of the LXX. and other versions, the rendering of which is based on a slightly different punctuation of the Hebrew, we prefer to translate, _the day of our king the princes have begun with the glowing_ (or _fever_)_ of wine_ — _i.e.,_ the carousal of the princely retinue in celebra... [ Continue Reading ]
Render, _Yea, they draw nigh together. Like an oven in their heart with their wiles. Their baker sleepeth all the night,_ &c. The metaphor of Hosea 7:4 is resumed. The baker, having left his dough to become leavened and his fire to smoulder, can afford to sleep. The baker may mean the evil passion w... [ Continue Reading ]
CAKE NOT TURNED. — Referring to the destructive effect of foreign influences. Ephraim was consumed by the unhallowed fire of Baal-worship, with all its passion and sensualism — a cake burnt on one side to a cinder, and on the other left in a condition utterly unfit for food. So the activity of forei... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE DEVOURED. — The past tense may refer to the invasions of Tiglath-pileser. Both Egypt and Assyria had come to regard Israel as the earthen pipkin between iron pots. These strangers have devoured his strength — _i.e.,_ he has less power to resist aggression, less treasure, less land, smaller popu... [ Continue Reading ]
See Note on Hosea 5:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
SILLY DOVE. — No creature is less able to defend itself than the dove, which flies from the bird of prey to the net of the fowler. In this powerful metaphor we have a political allusion. King Hoshea is called _Ausih_ on the Assyrian monuments. Having usurped the throne after the murder of Pekah, he... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY SHALL GO. — Best rendered, _Whenever they go,_ &c. The ultimate ruin produced by this policy of dependence on foreign states and of doubledealing intrigue was even at this early stage foreseen by the prophet, and portrayed under the simile of Jehovah’s net snaring the unwary bird. AS THEI... [ Continue Reading ]
FLED. — The word thus translated is used of the wandering flight of birds, and arises naturally out of the images employed in Hosea 7:11. (13) THOUGH I HAVE REDEEMED. — Should be, _Though I would fain redeem them:_ an impressive picture of all the insults to longsuffering Divine love.... [ Continue Reading ]
CRIED... HOWLED — God discriminates between a heart-cry to Him, and a howl of despair, resembling the yell of a wild beast. A howl upon their bed is not a sob of true repentance. THEY ASSEMBLE THEMSELVES. — To supplicate Jehovah for fruitful harvests. This rendering is supported by several eminent a... [ Continue Reading ]
BOUND. — Should be _instructed._ God has imparted skill and power to fight their enemies. (Comp. Psalms 144:1.) So the grace of the Spirit is often slighted by its recipients.... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE A DECEITFUL BOW. — Religious observance has the appearance of a bow with the arrow on the string, apparently aimed at some object, but the string being slack, the aim is diverted. The “raving insolence of their tongue” may mean the boasts that were made of the friendship of King _Shebaka_ of E... [ Continue Reading ]