Hosea 7:11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hosea 7:8-16

Having seen how vicious and corrupt the court was, we now come to enquire how it is with the country, and we find that to be no better; and no marvel if the distemper that has so seized the head affect the whole body, so that there is no soundness in it; the iniquity of Ephraim is discovered, as well as the sin of Samaria, of the people as well as the princes, of which here are divers instances. I. They were not peculiar and entire for God, as they should have been, Hos. 7:8. 1. They did not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hosea 7:11

Ephraim also is like a silly dove, without heart ,.... Or understanding; which comes and picks up the corns of grain, which lie scattered about, and does not know that the net is spread for it; and when its young are taken away, it is unconcerned, and continues its nest in the same place still; and, when frightened, flees not to its dove house, where it would be safe, but flies about here and there, and so becomes a prey to others. Thus Ephraim, going to Egypt and Assyria for help, were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 7:11

Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart - A bird that has little understanding; that is easily snared and taken; that is careless about its own young, and seems to live without any kind of thought. It has been made, by those who, like itself, are without heart, the symbol of conjugal affection. Nothing worse could have been chosen, for the dove and its mate are continually quarrelling. They call to Egypt, they go to Assyria - They strive to make these their allies and friends;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 7:11

Verse 11 The Prophet here first blames Israel for foolish credulity, and compares them to a dove; for they had invited the Egyptians and sent to Assyria for help. Simplicity is indeed a commendable virtue, when joined to prudence. But as everything reasonable and judicious in men is turned into wickedness when there is no integrity; so when men are too credulous and void of all judgment and reason, it is then mere folly. But when he says that Israel is like a dove, he does not mean that the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 7:8-11

The silly sinful pride and obduracy of Israel, in spite of many manifest tokens of decay, or their disastrous foreign policy. The prophet had described the corruption; he now turns to the state of the country. From the iniquity of the princes he descends to the sin of the people. The figure of baking is still present to the prophet, as is evident from the metaphor of a cake. I. THE INCONSISTENCY AND WORTHLESSNESS OF DIVIDED ALLEGIANCE . God had intended to separate Israel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 7:11

Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart. The silliness of the dove, with which the stupidity of Ephraim is compared, is not manifested by its missing its nest and resting-place, and then helplessly fluttering about, according to Ewald; nor by its falling into the net of the bird-catcher in its effort to escape from the hawk, according to Hitzig; nor by its neither grieving nor searching for its young when it is robbed of them, according to Jerome; nor by its becoming dejected or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 7:11

The silliness of sin. "Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart." "There is much force and beauty in this comparison of Ephraim to a 'silly dove without heart,' or rather without understanding, which when pursued by a bird of prey trusts to the rapidity of its flight; that is, relics upon its own powers for the means of escape, instead of at once throwing itself into the nearest recess, where the interference of man or the narrowness of the place might render it secure from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 7:11-12

The silly dove. The folly of sin is a frequent topic with the inspired writers, and is urged upon the attention of some who may be more fearful of lacking wisdom than of grieving God. In this passage the prophet makes use of a homely and striking similitude with a view to impress upon the rebellious the vanity and simple credulity of their sinful conduct. I. THE DOVE 'S PERPLEXITY . Alarmed by a bird of prey hovering over her and ready to seize her, the simple dove is ready to rush... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 7:11-16

Ephraim's folly and falseness. In this passage the Lord threatens the northern kingdom for its unnatural and untheocratic policy of seeking support from the neighboring heathen powers. These verses, therefore, deal primarily with the sins of the court and the government. The nation is to be punished for— I. POLITICAL INFATUATION . ( Hosea 7:11 , Hosea 7:12 ) The true resting-place of the commonwealth was in God; but Ephraim had wandered from him, and was fluttering about... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 7:11-16

Ephraim's flight from God. Every sinner may read a warning in the words here addressed to Ephraim. I. FLEEING FROM GOD . ( Hosea 7:11 , Hosea 7:12 ) The wicked "say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways" ( Job 21:14 ). They themselves try, though vainly, to escape from God. They would fain put a great distance between him and them (Jonah; the prodigal). 1. Fleeing from God is sin . It is an attempt on the part of the creature to... read more

Group of Brands