Hosea 8:2-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hosea 8:1-7

The reproofs and threatenings here are introduced with an order to the prophet to set the trumpet to his mouth (Hos. 8:1), thus to call a solemn assembly, that all might take notice of what he had to deliver and take warning by it. He must sound an alarm, must, in God's name, proclaim war with this rebellious nation. An enemy is coming with speed and fury to seize their land, and he must awaken them to expect it. Thus the prophet must do the part of a watchman, that was by sound of trumpet to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hosea 8:2

Israel shall cry unto me, my God, we know thee. In their distress they shall cry to the Lord to help them, and have mercy on them, as they used to do when in trouble, Isaiah 26:16 ; when the eagle is come upon them, and just ready to devour them; when Samaria is besieged with file Assyrian army, their king taken prisoner, and they just ready to fall into the hands of the enemy, then they shall cry to God, though in a hypocritical manner; own him to be the true God, and claim their interest... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hosea 8:3

Israel hath cast off the thing that is good ,.... Or "rejected him that is good" F25 זנח ישראל טוב "deseruit Israel bonum, i. e. Deum", Vatablus, Munster, Tarnovius, Zanchius. ; that is, God, as Kimchi observes; for there is none good but him, Matthew 19:17 ; he is the "summum bonum", "the chiefest good" to men, and is essentially, originally, and infinitely good in himself, and the fountain of all goodness to his creatures; and yet Israel has rejected him with detestation... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hosea 8:4

They have set up kings, but not by me ,.... Not by his authority, order, and command; not by asking advice of him, or his leave, but of themselves, and of their own, accord: this refers to the case of Jeroboam their first king, after their separation from the house of David, and from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin; for though his becoming king of Israel was according to the secret will of God, and by his overruling providence; yet it was done without his express orders, and without asking... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 8:2

Israel shalt cry - The rapidity of the eagle's flight is well imitated in the rapidity of the sentences in this place. My God, we know thee - The same sentiment, from the same sort of persons, under the same feelings, as that in the Gospel of St. Matthew, Matthew 7:29 ; : "Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? Then will I profess unto them, I never Knew You." read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 8:4

They have set up kings, but not by me - Properly speaking, not one of the kings of Israel, from the defection of the ten tribes from the house of David, was the anointed or the Lord. I knew it not - It had not my approbation. In this sense the word know is frequently understood. That they may be cut off - That is, They shall be cut off in consequence of their idolatry. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 8:2

Verse 2 By the Prophet saying, To me shall they cry, some understand that the Israelites are blamed for not fleeing to God; and they thus explain the Prophet’s words, “They ought to have cried to me.” It seems to others to be an exhortation, “Let the Israelites now cry to me.” But I take the words simply as they are, that is that God here again touches the dissimulation of the Israelites, They will cry to me, We know thee; and to this the ready answer is Israel has cast away good far from... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 8:3

Verse 3 The verb זנח, zanech, means “to remove far off,” and “to throw to a distance;” and sometimes, as some think, “to detest.” There is here, I doubt not, an implied contrast between the rejection of good and the pursuing of which the Prophet speaks afterwards, Israel has driven good far from himself; some expound טוב, thub, of God himself, as if it was of the masculine gender: but the Prophet, I have no doubt, simply accuses the Israelites of having receded from all justice and uprightness;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 8:4

Verse 4 The Prophet here notices two things, with respect to which he reprobates the perfidy and impious perverseness of the people, — they had, against the will of God, framed a religion for themselves, — and they had instituted a new kingdom. The salvation of that people, we know, was, as it were, founded on a certain kingdom and priesthood; and by these two things God testified that he was allied to the children of Abraham. We know where the happiness of the godly is deposited, even in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 8:1-2

The conventional Church "Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the Lord, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my Law. Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee." "It is not unusual," says Elzas," for the prophets, without naming the invading foe, to announce his approach (see Isaiah 13:1-22 ). The words are singularly abrupt, and indicate the suddenness of the threatened invader. 'Like an eagle.' If this be a... read more

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