"Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity; it is stained with blood."It is not even certain which of two Old Testament Gileads is meant here. If Ramoth-Gilead is the one, it was one of the cities of refuge; and its murderous image would be especially tragic. read more
Hosea 6:7. Like men— It should be rendered, Like Adam. As Adam transgressed a plain command; so the Israelites transgressed the plainest and the easiest precepts. As Adam's crime was not to be excused by any necessity or want; so the Israelites, secure under the protection of Jehovah, had they continued faithful to him, had no excuse in seeking other aids. Adam revolted from God to Satan; so the Israelites forsook God to worship devils. Adam broke that one command, on which the justification of... read more
Hosea 6:8. And is polluted with blood— "It is now no longer what it ought to be, a city of refuge, but the city of bloodshed and slaughter." read more
7. like men—the common sort of men (Psalms 82:7). Not as Margin, "like Adam," Job 31:33. For the expression "covenant" is not found elsewhere applied to Adam's relation to God; though the thing seems implied (Romans 5:12-19). Israel "transgressed the covenant" of God as lightly as men break everyday compacts with their fellow men. there—in the northern kingdom, Israel. read more
8. Gilead . . . city—probably Ramoth-gilead, metropolis of the hilly region beyond Jordan, south of the Jabbok, known as "Gilead" ( :-; compare :-). work iniquity— ( :-). polluted with blood—"marked with blood-traces" [MAURER]. Referring to Gilead's complicity in the regicidal conspiracy of Pekah against Pekahiah (2 Kings 15:25). See on Hosea 6:1. Many homicides were there, for there were beyond Jordan more cities of refuge, in proportion to the extent of territory, than on this side of Jordan... read more
A. More messages on coming judgment 6:4-11:7The subject of Israel’s ingratitude is particularly prominent in these messages. Each of the two major messages of judgment ends with a reference to Israel returning to Egypt (Hosea 8:13; Hosea 11:5). The message on restoration that follows these two (Hosea 11:8-11) refers to the Israelites returning from Egypt (Hosea 11:11). read more
V. THE FOURTH SERIES OF MESSAGES ON JUDGMENT AND RESTORATION: ISRAEL’S INGRATITUDE 6:4-11:11This section of the book contains another series of messages that deal, first, with the judgment coming on Israel and, second, the restoration that will follow. There are three major addresses in this section each introduced by a direct address (Hosea 6:4; Hosea 9:1; Hosea 11:8). read more
1. Israel’s ingratitude and rebellion 6:4-8:14Two oracles of judgment compose this section. Each one begins by referring to Israel’s breach of covenant (Hosea 6:7; Hosea 8:1), and each one contains a reference to Egypt near the end (Hosea 7:16; Hosea 8:13).Accusations involving ingratitude 6:4-7:16The Lord accused the Israelites of being ungrateful for His many blessings in the past and therefore being disloyal to Him and His covenant with them. The section primarily enumerates and illustrates... read more
Like Adam, the first and typical man in an endless stream of human beings, the Israelites had violated God’s loving directions even though His blessings had been abundant. The AV translation "like men" (Heb. ’adam) highlights Adam’s typical significance. The covenant that Adam transgressed was not the Mosaic Covenant, which the Israelites and Judahites had violated. It was the arrangement with Adam that God had specified for life within the Garden of Eden, the Adamic Covenant (Genesis 2:16-17).... read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Hosea 6:7
"But they like Adam have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me."The appearance of the word "there" in the second clause seems to demand that "Adam" of the first clause be viewed as a place-name; and accordingly the Revised Standard Version rendered it, "At Adam they transgressed the covenant." Note the three different renditions:(1) King James Version..."Like men ..."(2) American Standard Version..."Like Adam ..."(3) Revised Standard Version..."At Adam... read more