Hosea 11:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hosea 11:1-7

Here we find, I. God very gracious to Israel. They were a people for whom he had done more than for any people under heaven, and to whom he had given more, which they are here, I will not say upbraided with (for God gives, and upbraids not), but put in mind of, as an aggravation of their sin and an encouragement to repentance. 1. He had a kindness for them when they were young (Hos. 11:1): When Israel was a child then I loved him; when they first began to multiply into a nation in Egypt God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hosea 11:2

As they called them, so they went from them ,.... That is, the prophets of the Lord, the true prophets, called Israel to the worship and service of God; but they turned a deaf ear to them, and their backs upon them; and the more they called to them, the further they went from them, and from the way of their duty; see Hosea 11:7 . So the Targum, "I sent the prophets to teach them, but they wandered from them;' Moses and Aaron were sent unto them, and called them out of Egypt, but they... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 11:2

Verse 2 The Prophet now repeats the ingratitude of the people in neglecting to keep in mind their redemption. The word, “called,” is here to be taken in a different sense. For God effectually called, as they say, the people, or his Son, from Egypt: he has again called by the outward voice or teaching through his Prophets. Hence, when he said before that he called his Son from Egypt, it ought to be understood, as they say, of actual liberation: but now when he says, They have called them, it is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 11:1-4

A rich display of God's mercy, love, and long-suffering. One chief design of Scripture is to recommend to sinners the goodness and grace of God "The whole Scripture," says Luther, "aims especially at this, that we doubt not, but certainly hope, trust, and believe that God is gracious, merciful, and long-suffering." I. GOD 'S LOVE IS UNMERITED . This is evident from the condition of Israel when he became the object of this love. That condition was one of childhood, and so of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 11:1-4

Crowned with tender mercies. This is an extremely beautiful passage. It recalls, in a few most touching expressions, Jehovah's love and condescension and tenderness towards his ancient people. But, alas! the very record of God's kindness becomes the means of throwing into deeper relief the blackness of Israel's sin. I. GOD 'S KINDLY DEALINGS WITH ISRAEL . These had been manifested continually—in the infancy of the nation, during its childhood, and throughout its youth and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 11:1-4

God's early love for Israel. The mind, pained by ingratitude, naturally reverts to the kindnesses formerly showered on the unworthy recipient. God hero reminds Israel of his early love to the nation—how he had adopted it as his son, called it out of Egypt, taught it to go alone, drawn it with love, and bountifully provided for it. No sin is so odious as filial ingratitude ( Isaiah 1:3 ). None is so grievous to the heart of a parent. It is this sin which God here charges on Israel. I. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 11:1-7

A typical portrait of a people. "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. He shall not return into the land of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 11:2

As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. (1) Adverting to his own call mentioned in the first verse, God here refers to the many subsequent calls which he addressed to them through his servants the prophets and other messengers. (2) The subject of the verb is erroneously understood by some, as, for example, Aben Ezra and Eichhorn, to be the idols, or their false priests or prophets; while (3) Jerome is also mistaken... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hosea 11:2

As they called them, so they went from them - The prophet changes his tone, no longer speaking of that one first call of God to Israel as a whole, whereby He brought out Israel as one man, His one son; which one call he obeyed. Here he speaks of God’s manifold calls to the people, throughout their whole history, which they as often disobeyed, and not disobeyed only, but went contrariwise. “They called them.” Whether God employed Moses, or the judges, or priests, or kings, or prophets, to call... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hosea 11:2

Hosea 11:2. As they called them, so, &c. Or, The more they called them, or, they were called, so much the more they went from him; that is, the more earnestly the prophets called upon them to cleave steadfastly to the true God, (see Hosea 11:7,) the more they were bent to depart from him to the worship of idols. They sacrificed to Baalim See note on Hosea 2:13. And burned incense to graven images “We read frequently, in our English Bibles, of graven images, and of molten images.... read more

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