About Hosea

Hosea's marriage to an unfaithful wife pictures God's persistent love for unfaithful Israel.

Author: HoseaWritten: c. 755-715 BCReading time: ~2 minVerses: 15

UnfaithfulnessCovenant LoveJudgmentRestorationRepentanceKnowledge of God

Places in This Chapter

Assyria(Region)Aven(Settlement)Beth-arbel(Settlement)Beth-aven 2(Settlement)Bethel 1(Settlement)Gibeah 1(Settlement)Samaria 1(Settlement)

King James Version

Hosea 10

15 verses with commentary

Judgment for Israel's Idolatry

1

Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images. an: or, a vine emptying the fruit which it giveth images: Heb. statues, or, standing images

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KJV Study Commentary

Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.' Israel described as 'empty vine' (boqeq) - hollow, degenerate, bearing fruit for self rather than God. Prosperity ('multitude of fruit,' 'goodness of land') produced idolatry ('increased altars,' 'g...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

X. (1) **Empty** in the English version is wrong, being inconsistent with what follows. (Comp. LXX. and Vulg.) Read *luxuriant.* The metaphors of the vintage (comp. also Genesis 49:22, and *Introduction* to Hosea 9) are still prevalent in the mind of the prophet. Wünsche has powerfully illustrated this wild strong growth of Israel as compared with Judah. Joash prevailed over Amaziah, and plundered...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 36 Eze 36:1-38. Israel Avenged of Her Foes, and Restored, First to Inward Holiness, Then to Outward Prosperity. The distinction between Israel and the heathen (as Edom) is: Israel has a covenant relation to God ensuring restoration after chastisement, so that the heathen's hope of getting possession of the elect people's inheritance must fail, and they themselves be made desolate (Eze 36...

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2

Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images. Their heart: or, He hath divided their heart break: Heb. behead images: Heb. statues, or, standing images

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KJV Study Commentary

Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images. Divided heart means double-minded - attempting to serve both YHWH and Baal. James 1:8 warns: double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Found faulty means held guilty. Result: God destroys their altars and images. Syncretism is unacceptable; God demands exclusive devotion. Jes...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) **Their heart is divided** is the rendering of the LXX., Raschi, Aben-Ezra, and most ancient versions. But modern expositors prefer to translate “Their heart is treacherous (*smooth*)*.”* The rest of the verse should run thus:—*Now shall they suffer punishment. He shall break *(*the horns of*)* their altars; he shall destroy their pillars.*

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 36 Eze 36:1-38. Israel Avenged of Her Foes, and Restored, First to Inward Holiness, Then to Outward Prosperity. The distinction between Israel and the heathen (as Edom) is: Israel has a covenant relation to God ensuring restoration after chastisement, so that the heathen's hope of getting possession of the elect people's inheritance must fail, and they themselves be made desolate (Eze 36...

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3

For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?

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KJV Study Commentary

Kingless confession: 'For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?' The anticipated confession: אֵין מֶלֶךְ לָנוּ (ein melekh lanu, no king for us) because כִּי לֹא יָרֵאנוּ אֶת־יְהוָה (ki lo yarenu et-YHWH, we feared not the LORD). The rhetorical question: what can human king accomplish without divine blessing? This demonstrates politi...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **To us**.—Better, *as for a king, what will he do for us?* The prophet having witnessed a succession of Israelite kings overthrown, and anarchy as its consequence, predicts yet another time of confusion and helplessness, a full vindication of the threatenings of the prophet Samuel. (Comp. 1Samuel 8:19.)

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

3. Literally, "Because, even because." **swallowed you up--**literally, "panted after" you, as a beast after its prey; implying the greedy cupidity of Edom as to Israel's inheritance (Psa 56:1, 2). **lips of talkers--**literally, "lips of the tongue," that is, of the slanderer, the man of tongue. Edom slandered Israel because of the connection of the latter with Jehovah, as though He were unab...

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4

They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

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KJV Study Commentary

Empty words and false covenants: 'They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.' They speak דִּבְּרוּ דְבָרִים (dibberu devarim, spoken words)—mere talk without substance. Swearing falsely (אָלוֹת שָׁוְא, alot shav) when cutting covenant (כָּרֹת בְּרִית, karot berit). Result: judgment springs up כָּרֹאשׁ (kharosh, ...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(4) **Judgment**—*i.e.,* Divine judgments shall prevail not as a blessing, but as a curse; not as a precious harvest, but as a poisonous plant (poppy or hemlock) in the ridges of the field.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

4. Inanimate creatures are addressed, to imply that the creature also, as it were, groans for deliverance from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Ro 8:19-21) [Polanus]. The completeness of the renewed blessedness of all parts of the land is implied. **derision--**(Psa 79:4).

5

The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it. the priests: or, Chemarim

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KJV Study Commentary

Fear for golden calves: 'The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.' The people fear (יָגוּר, yagur) for עֶגְלוֹת בֵּית אָוֶן (eglot Beit Aven, calves of Beth-aven). They mourn (אָבַל, aval); priests who rejoiced (גִּילוּ, gi...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) It is hard to express the sarcastic force and concentrated scoff of the original: “calves,” literally, *she calves,* the feminine form to express contempt, the plural in allusion to the scattered worship in numerous shrines throughout Israel (or, perhaps, a *pluralis majestatis* of mockery). The next clause should read thus:—*For it* (pers. pronoun, referring to *the* calf *par excellence* of ...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**5. to cast it out for a prey--**that is, to take the land for a prey, its inhabitants being cast out. Or the land is compared to a prey cast forth to wild beasts. Fairbairn needlessly alters the Hebrew pointing and translates, "that they may plunder its pasturage."

6

It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

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KJV Study Commentary

Tribute to Assyria: 'It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.' The calves carried to Assyria as מִנְחָה (minchah, gift/tribute) to king Jareb (מֶלֶךְ יָרֵב, likely 'great king'). Result: Ephraim receives בֹּשֶׁת (boshet, shame); Israel ashamed of עֲצָתוֹ (atsato, his counsel). This demonstrates t...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) Translate, *Even that* (*i.e.,* the calf) *shall be carried* (in triumphant state) *to Assyria, an offering to King Jareb.* (See Hosea 5:13, *Excursus.*)

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**6. the shame of the heathen--**namely, the shame with which the heathen cover you (Psa 123:3, 4).

7

As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water. the water: Heb. the face of the water

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KJV Study Commentary

As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water. Israel's king becomes powerless, insignificant like foam on water - temporary, insubstantial, swept away. This describes coming exile when monarchy ends. The metaphor emphasizes complete powerlessness - foam cannot resist current. Human authority apart from divine sanction proves futile. Only Christ is eternal King whose kingdom canno...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) **Foam** . . . **Water.—**One of the most striking images in the prophecy. The word *qetseph,* rendered “foam”—*Speaker’s Commentary* reads “bubble”—properly signifies “chip” or “fragment.” Translate: *Like a chip on the waters’ surface.* The king is tossed on the raging seas of political life like a helpless fragment. Such was the instability of the throne of Israel at this period. (Comp. Hos...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**7. lifted ... mine hand--**in token of an oath (Eze 20:5; Ge 14:22). **they shall bear their shame--**a perpetual shame; whereas the "shame" which Israel bore from these heathen was only for a time.

8

The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

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KJV Study Commentary

The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us. Aven (Beth-aven, Bethel) high places - Israel's primary sin - will be destroyed. Thorns and thistles overgrowing altars shows complete desolation and agricultural curse (Genesis 3:18). The terrifie...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) **Aven.**—On Beth-Aven, see Note on Hosea 4:15. The “thorn and thistle” are part of the first curse upon apostate Adam (Genesis 3:18), and the prophet not only predicts utter ruin for king and calf, temple and shrine, but the future desolation which should conceal all. Meanwhile, the people shall desire death rather than life. The awful words in the latter part of this verse are used by our Lo...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**8. they are at hand to come--**that is, the Israelites are soon about to return to their land. This proves that the primary reference of the prophecy is to the return from Babylon, which was "at hand," or comparatively near. But this only in part fulfilled the prediction, the full and final blessing in future, and the restoration from Babylon was an earnest of it.

9

O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.

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KJV Study Commentary

Iniquity from Gibeah: 'O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them.' Reference to ancient sin at Gibeah (Judges 19-21): מִימֵי הַגִּבְעָה חָטָאתָ יִשְׂרָאֵל (mimei haGiv'ah chatata Yisrael, from days of Gibeah you sinned, O Israel). The phrase שָׁם עָמָדוּ (sham amadu, there they stood) may mean B...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) **O Israel . . . Gibeah.—**Thou didst commence thy obscene transgressions long before the disruption of the kingdom of Rehoboam, even at Gibeah. Gibeah is emblematic of gross and cruel sensuality, in allusion to Judges 19:20, just as Sodom is used for unnatural vice. **There they stood.**—Or rather, *remained* sinning after the same manner. The rest of the verse should be rendered, *Shall ther...

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It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows. when: or, when I shall bind them for their two transgressions, or, in their two habitations

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KJV Study Commentary

Binding for double transgression: 'It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.' God's desire (בְּאַוָּתִי, be'avati): to discipline (אֶסְּרֵם, esrem—chastise/bind). Peoples gathered against them when bound בְּאָסְרָם לִשְׁתֵּי עֵינֹתָם (be'osram lishtei einotam, when binding them for their two ...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) Translate (see Margin; so Jerome), *When I desire, I will chastise them, and peoples shall be gathered against them, when I chastise them for their two iniquities* (*i.e.,* the two calves which had been the source of heresy and treason against Jehovah).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**10. wastes builded--**Is 58:12; 61:4; Am 9:11, 12, 14, where, as here (Eze 34:23, 24), the names of David, Messiah's type, and Edom, Israel's foe, are introduced in connection with the coming restoration.

And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. her: Heb. the beauty of her neck

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KJV Study Commentary

Trained heifer turned to plowing: 'And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.' Ephraim like עֶגְלָה מְלֻמָּדָה (eglah melumdah, trained heifer) loving to thresh (דּוּשׁ, dush—pleasant work, eating while working, Deuteronomy 25:4). But God will yok...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) **Heifer**.—Translate, *Ephraim is a trained heifer, which loves to thresh.* Here the idea may be that Ephraim loves the easy and free work of treading out the corn, and so becomes fat and sleek; or the act of treading and threshing may point to the rough treatment which Ephraim has in her pride dealt out to her neighbours and enemies. But the former interpretation is more probable. The verse...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**11. do better ... than at your beginnings--**as in the case of Job (Job 42:12). Whereas the heathen nations fall irrevocably, Israel shall be more than restored; its last estate shall exceed even its first.

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy</strong> (זִרְעוּ לָכֶם לִצְדָקָה קִצְרוּ לְפִי־חָסֶד)—Agricultural metaphor for covenant ethics: plant צְדָקָה (righteousness) and harvest חֶסֶד (covenant love). <strong>Break up your fallow ground</strong> (נִירוּ לָכֶם נִיר)—uncultivated, hard-packed soil represents Israel's hardened heart needing deep plowing before new planting. Jeremi...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(12) In their despair come some characteristic gleams of hope on the desolation; the eternal law which makes reaping a consequence of sowing will still apply. The mercy of God will be the harvest of a sowing to the Spirit. (Comp. Galatians 6:8; Romans 8:7-13; and Micah 6:8.) The very soil of the soul is fallow and unbroken. Break it up, seek Jehovah, and He will come as never before. This momentar...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12. to walk upon you--**O mountains of Israel (Eze 36:8)! **thee ... thou--**change from plural to singular: O hill of Zion, singled out from the other mountains of Israel (Eze 34:26); or land. **thou shall no more ... bereave them of men--**Thou shalt no more provoke God to bereave them of children (so the ellipsis ought to be supplied, as Ezekiel probably alludes to Jr 15:7, "I will bereav...

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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows. God's desire to chastise reflects holy justice responding to sin. People gathered against Israel means foreign nations (Assyria) attacking. Two furrows is interpretive challenge - possibly two sins (golden calf worship plus Baal), two alliances (Egypt...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(13) **Thy way.**—By a slight change of the Hebrew word thus rendered it acquires the sense, *thy chariots,* a reading followed by the LXX. and Ewald, Kuinöl, and Nowack. It establishes a good parallelism, and harmonises with prophetic teaching (Hosea 14:3; Isaiah 2:7). The Masoretic text gives, however, a fine meaning.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**13. Thou land devourest up men--**alluding to the words of the spies (Nu 13:32). The land personified is represented as doing that which was done in it. Like an unnatural mother it devoured, that is, it was the grave of its people; of the Canaanites, its former possessors, through mutual wars, and finally by the sword of Israel; and now, of the Jews, through internal and external ills; for examp...

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Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.

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KJV Study Commentary

Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods. Israel compared to heifer loving easy work - treading grain (could eat while working, Deuteronomy 25:4). But God will put yoke on fair neck, making her do hard labor (plowing, breaking clods). This describes ...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(14) Then comes the crash of the thunder-peal. The prophet seems to hear the advance of the invading army, and see the fall of Samaria’s fortress. **Shalman.**—The references in the margin are not to the same historic event. The allusion is very obscure. Schrader (*Keilinschriften,* 2nd ed., pp. 440-2) suggests two theories: one that it refers to an episode in the campaign of Shalmaneser III. to t...

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14. bereave--**so the Keri, or Hebrew Margin reads, to correspond to "bereave" in Eze 36:13; but "cause to fall" or "stumble," in the Hebrew text or Chetib, being the more difficult reading, is the one least likely to come from a corrector; also, it forms a good transition to the next subject, namely, the moral cause of the people's calamities, namely, their falls, or stumblings through sin. The...

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So shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off. your: Heb. the evil of your evil

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KJV Study Commentary

Seeking God in dawn: 'I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.' Repeats 5:15, emphasizing God's withdrawal until they acknowledge guilt (אָשַׁם, asham) and seek (בִּקֵּשׁ, biqesh) His face. The phrase בַּצַּר לָהֶם יְשַׁחֲרֻנְנִי (batssar lahem yeshacharuneni, in distress they will seek Me early/diligently...

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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(15) **King** . . . **Cut off.—**The close of the kingdom (721 B.C.), already more than once referred to (comp. Hosea 10:7), is here prophesied. Translate, *So shall He do* *to you at Bethel.* **In the morning**.—Should be, *in the early morning* Hoshea was utterly cut off, leaving neither root nor branch. **Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Perm...

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