Hosea 7:8-16

Hosea 7:8 to Hosea 8:3 . Political Decay the Outward Sign of Israel’ s Moral Decay.— The attempts to cure national ills and secure safety by foreign aid, instead of by turning to Yahweh, are foredoomed to failure; Yahweh Himself frustrates them and will bring the misguided people to punishment and ruin ( Hosea 7:8-2 Kings :). Their doom is sealed, for they have been disloyal to Yahweh; they do not turn to Him with a true heart, but use heathen devices (cut themselves, Hosea 7:14 mg., see p. 110) when they appeal to Him. Their shallow hearts are incapable of real and acceptable repentance; therefore their “ princes shall fall by the sword,” and “ this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt” ( Hosea 7:13-Nehemiah :). The inevitable judgment is devastating war, which their appeals to Him shall not avert ( Hosea 8:1-Leviticus :).

Hosea 7:8 . mixeth himself: i.e. dissipates his national strength and character by intermingling with the Gentiles. Another possible rendering is “ withereth away among,” etc. The cake is the flat, round cake of bread, which was baked on hot stones or ashes ( cf. 1 Kings 19:6), and which, if not frequently turned, would be burnt. It may be an emblem of a country half ruined by war, or of the people’ s fickle and inconstant character and achievement ( cf. our “ half-baked” ).

Hosea 7:9 . The signs of national decreptitude are unheeded.

Hosea 7:10 . Perhaps a gloss; cf. Hosea 5:5.

Hosea 7:11 . The inconstancies of national policy are another mark of weakness (the reference need not be to rival Egyptian and Assyrian parties in Israel). Note the striking and original figure.

Hosea 7:12 . By seeking foreign alliances they walk into a net.— I will chastise . . . heard: read, “ I will bind them because of their wickedness” ( cf. LXX).

Hosea 7:13 b. Better as an indignant question: “ And I— should I redeem them when,” etc.

Hosea 7:14 . upon their beds is difficult (text probably corrupt): “ On account of their . . .” is required.— assemble themselves: read as mg. and cf. 1 Kings 18:28, Deuteronomy 14:1.

Hosea 7:15 . Omit “ taught and” ( cf. LXX).— strengthened their arms: cf. 2 Kings 14:27.

Hosea 7:16 a. Cf. Hosea 11:7. Read perhaps, “ return to the Baal” (or Baalim).— for . . . tongue: i.e. their insolence towards God (but text doubtful). The rest of Hosea 7:16, if genuine, must refer to some unknown incidents.

Hosea 8:1 a. Lit. “ to thy palate the cornet!” (God addresses the prophet).— an eagle: the Assyrian may be meant.

Hosea 8:2 . Omit “ Israel” with LXX.