Hosea 5:6

with their flocks and with their herds i.e., with their sacrificial offerings. This passage affords decisive proof (if indeed the converging evidence from other quarters can be held incomplete) that the Israelites of the north simply and in good faith professed to be worshippers of Jehovah. It will be too late, says the prophet, to use the ordinary means of appeasing Jehovah's wrath, which have only a value as the outward signs of penitence and faith (see on Hosea 6:6). Micah uses similar expressions respecting prayers which are offered too late (Micah 3:4).