Hosea 5:8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hosea 5:8-9

Hosea 5:8-9. Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, &c. The prophet here calls upon the watchmen of Judah and Israel to sound an alarm, and give notice of the approach of the enemy: compare Joel 2:1. It was usual in those days, when a country was invaded, or was on the point of being so, to give notice of it by sounding cornets and trumpets from the towers and high places, on which the watchmen or sentinels were placed. Gibeah and Ramah were towns in the tribe of Benjamin; and Beth-aven, ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hosea 5:8-15

Click image for full-size versionForeign policies (5:8-15)During the reigns of the Judean kings Jotham and Ahaz, Israel and Syria tried to persuade Judah to join them in an alliance aimed at resisting the spreading power of Assyria. When Judah refused to cooperate, Israel and Syria attacked Jerusalem, whereupon Ahaz, contrary to Isaiah’s advice, asked Assyria for help. Assyria replied by conquering Syria and much of Israel. But Judah’s independence also suffered, because in asking Assyria for... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Hosea 5:8

cornet = horn. Beth-aven. See note on Hosea 4:15 . after thee, &c. Apparently a war-cry = "[Look] behind thee, O Benjamin! "Compare Judges 5:14 ; Judges 20:40 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Hosea 5:8

"Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah; sound an alarm at Bethaven; behind thee, O Benjamin."This blowing of horns was an idiomatic expression that meant, arouse and warn the whole country against terrible and impending danger. In this case it was war."The cornet ... the trumpet ..." This symbol for general alarm had originated during the wilderness wanderings of the chosen people during which time the sounding of the shopar, or ram's horn, signaled the break of camp, or any... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Hosea 5:8

Hosea 5:8. Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah— Lo! the cornet is sounded in Gibeah; and the trumpet in Ramah: howlings are heard at Beth-aven, behind thee, O Benjamin. Houbigant. The prophet here declares the approach of the Assyrian, in the same animated style and manner as Isaiah, chap. Isaiah 10:28, &c. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Hosea 5:8

8. The arrival of the enemy is announced in the form of an injunction to blow an alarm. cornet . . . trumpet—The "cornet" was made of the curved horn of animals and was used by shepherds. The "trumpet" was of brass or silver, straight, and used in wars and on solemn occasions. The Hebrew is hatzotzerah, the sound imitating the trumpet note (Hosea 8:1; Numbers 10:2; Jeremiah 4:5; Joel 2:1). Gibeah . . . Ramah—both in Benjamin (Isaiah 10:29). Beth-aven—in Benjamin; not as in Hosea 4:15; Beth-el,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hosea 5:8

Blowing trumpets in cities announced the coming of an invader. Throughout Israel’s towns the sentries would blow alarms: in Gibeah and Ramah in northern Judah and in Beth-aven (Bethel) in southern Israel. Throughout the territory of Benjamin, which was home to all these towns at one time or another, news of war would come. Rather than leading Ephraim into battle, as the tribe of Benjamin did in Deborah’s day (Judges 5:14), the invader would pursue Benjamin as it did Ephraim. Benjamin should... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hosea 5:8-15

A warning to Ephraim and Judah 5:8-15This warning confronted the tribe of Ephraim, or perhaps all Israel, and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 5:1-15

Predictions of PunishmentThe priests, the people, and the royal dynasty have alike sinned, and will alike be punished. Their coquetting with Assyria will prove utterly futile. Judah has also sinned, and will receive their punishment. But there is ever yet hope in the future, if they will but repent.1. Toward you] RV ’unto you.’ Judgment belongs to you by right, and having abused your privilege you deserve greater punishment.Mizpah and Tabor are both spoken of as ancient sanctuaries: cp Judges... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Hosea 5:8

(8) Cornet . . . trumpet.—The two kinds of trumpet mentioned here are the cornet, made like the bent horn of an animal, and the long, straight metallic trumpet, used for sounding an alarm and convoking the congregation (Numbers 10:2). Gibeah and Ramah were lofty hills on the northern boundary of Benjamin. From the parallel passage, Isaiah 10:29, we conclude that Gibeah lay between Jerusalem and Ramah (the modern Er Ram), not far from the road which passes in a northern direction from Jerusalem... read more

Group of Brands