CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 4:1. CONTROV.] = a legal action (cf. Micah 6:2; Joel 3:2), or ground of complaint with the ten tribes (Hosea 4:15). Truth] _i.e._ truthfulness in word or deed, no conscience nor uprightness (Proverbs 3:3; Jeremiah 3:4). MERCY] Affection, tenderness, and love; no compassion to... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 4:6. KNOW.] Lit. _the_ knowledge of God (Hosea 4:1), which is life to the soul. REJECT] Utterly reject thee from being a priestly nation (Exodus 19:6); deprived of priestly rank, and made like heathens. God repays in kind; despise the truth, this will suppress it. _HOMILETIC... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 4:7. INCREASED] in number and wealth. SHAME] _i.e._ dishonoured by the loss of all. Some, in proportion as priests were elevated in power and dignity above the people, they surpassed them in sin. HOSEA 4:8. THEY] The priests made gain on the sins of the people, lived upon th... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 4:10. ENOUGH] Not be satisfied. LEFT OFF] keeping, observing Jehovah (Zechariah 11:11). All other means of increase failed. Polygamy against the law, and will bring the curse of God. HOSEA 4:12. MY PEOPLE] _Their wood_, give keenness to the reproach. God’s people seek to be... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 4:15. COME NOT] by pilgrimages to places of idolatrous worship. SWEAR NOT] in temples of idols. “The confession of Jehovah is hypocrisy in the mouth of an idolater; pretended piety, which is more dangerous than open ungodliness, because it lulls the conscience to sleep” [_Kee... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— HOSEA 4:18. SOUR] A metaphor for degeneracy in principle (Isaiah 1:22); turned, as we say of milk. They had lost all their life and taste of goodness [_Pusey_]. RULERS] Lit. shields, protectors, and supporters of the state. LOVE] Avarice and luxury. No remedy against corruption whe... [ Continue Reading ]