CHAPTER X _This chapter treats of the same subject, but elegantly varied._ _It begins with comparing Israel to a fruitful vine but_ _corrupted by too much prosperity_, 1. _It next reproves and threatens them for their idolatry_, 2; _anarchy_, 3; _and breach of covenant_, 4. _Their idolatry is... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 10:2. _THEIR HEART IS DIVIDED_] They wish to serve God and Mammon, Jehovah and Baal: but this is impossible. Now GOD will do in _judgment_ what _they_ should have done in _contrition_, "break down their altars, and spoil their images.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 10:3. _WE HAVE NO KING_] We have rejected the King of kings; and had we any king, he would be of no service to us in this state, as he would be a captive like ourselves; nor could we have the approbation of God, as we now justly lie under his displeasure.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 10:4. _THEY HAVE SPOKEN WORDS_] Vain, empty, deceitful _words_. _SWEARING FALSELY_] This refers to the alliances made with strange powers, to whom they promised fidelity without intending to be faithful; and from whom they promised themselves protection and support, notwithstanding God... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 10:5. _THE INHABITANTS OF SAMARIA SHALL FEAR_] According to _Calmet_, shall worship the calves of Beth-aven; those set up by Jeroboam, at Beth-el. _Fear_ is often taken for religious reverence. _THE PEOPLE THEREOF SHALL MOURN_] On seeing the object of their worship carried into captivit... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 10:6. _A PRESENT TO KING JAREB_] See on Hosea 5:13. If this be a proper name, the person intended is not known in history: but it is most likely that _Pul_, king of Assyria, is intended, to whom Menahem, king of Israel, appears to have given one of the golden calves, to insure his assist... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 10:7. _HER KING IS CUT OFF AS THE FOAM_] As lightly as a puff of wind blows off the foam that is formed below by a fall of water, so shall the kings of Israel be cut off. We have already seen that not less than _four_ of them died by assassination in a very short time. See on Hosea 7:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 10:8. _THE HIGH-PLACES_] Idol temples. _OF AVEN_] Beth-aven. _THE THORN AND THE THISTLE SHALL COME UP ON THEIR ALTARS_] Owing to the uncultivated and unfrequented state of the land, and of their places of idol worship, the people being all carried away into captivity. "And they shall... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 10:9. _THOU HAST SINNED FROM THE DAYS OF GIBEAH_] This is another reference to the horrible rape and murder of the Levite's wife, Judges 19:13-7. _THERE THEY STOOD_] Only one tribe was nearly destroyed, viz., that of _Benjamin_. They were _the criminals, the children of_ _iniquity_; the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 10:10. _WHEN THEY SHALL BIND THEMSELVES IN THEIR TWO FURROWS._] "When they are chastised for their two iniquities," i.e., the calves in Dan and Beth-el. - _Newcome_. But this double iniquity may refer to what Jeremiah says, Jeremiah 11:13: "My people have committed _two_ evils." - 1. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 10:11. _EPHRAIM_ IS AS _A HEIFER_ THAT IS _TAUGHT_] One thoroughly broken in to the yoke. _AND LOVETH TO TREAD OUT_] Goes peaceably in the yoke; and is pleased because, _not being nuzzled_, she eats of the corn. _I PASSED OVER UPON HER FAIR NECK_] I brought the yoke upon it, that she s... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 10:12. _SOW TO YOURSELVES IN RIGHTEOUSNESS_] Let the seed you sow be of the best kind, and in just measure. _REAP IN MERCY_] By the blessing of God on this ploughing, sowing, and harrowing, you may expect a good crop in harvest. _BREAK UP YOUR FALLOW GROUND_] Do not be satisfied with a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 10:13. _YE HAVE PLOUGHED WICKEDNESS_] Ye have laboured sinfully. _YE HAVE REAPED INIQUITY_] The _punishment_ due to your iniquity. _YE HAVE EATEN THE FRUIT OF LIES_] Your _false worship_ and your _false gods_ have brought you into _captivity_ and _misery_. _BECAUSE THOU DIDST TRUST IN... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 10:14. _SHALL A TUMULT ARISE_] The enemy shall soon fall upon thy people, and take all thy _fortified_ places. _AS SHALMAN SPOILED BETH-ARBEL_] Some think that this refers to _Jerubbaal_, or _Gideon's_ victory over _Zalmunna_, general of the Midianites; see Judges 7:1. Others think that... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Hosea 10:15. _SO SHALL BETH-EL DO UNTO YOU_] This shall be the consequence of your _idolatry_. _IN A MORNING SHALL THE KING OF ISRAEL UTTERLY BE CUT OFF._] Suddenly, unexpectedly. _Hoshea_, the king of Israel, shall be cut off by the Assyrians. There are some allusions to facts in this chapte... [ Continue Reading ]