Hosea 1:2

The beginning, &c. This may be understood not merely of Hosea ' sprophecies, but as referring to the fact that Hosea was the first (canonically) of fifteen prophets included in the Hebrew canon. See App-77 .

by = in, as in Numbers 12:6 , Numbers 12:8 . Habakkuk 2:1 .Zechariah 1:9 , i.e. through.

a wife of whoredoms: i.e. a woman of the northern kingdom, and therefore regarded as an idolatress.

whoredoms = idolatries. The one term is used for the other by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Subject), App-6 , because both were characterized by unfaithfulness; the former to a husband, and the latter to Jehovah, Who sustained that relation to Israel (Jeremiah 31:32 ). Compare 2 Kings 9:22 . 2 Chronicles 21:13 .Jeremiah 3:2 .Ezekiel 16:17-35 ; Ezekiel 20:30 ; Ezekiel 23:3 , Ezekiel 23:7 , Ezekiel 23:43 .Nahum 3:4 . See Hosea 4:2 , Hosea 4:12 ; Hosea 5:3 , Hosea 5:4 ; Hosea 6:10 ; Hosea 7:4 , &c.

and = and [beget].

children = offspring. Hebrew. yalad. The mother is symbolical of the kingdom, and the offspring of the people.

for the land, &c. Note this reason (Hosea 1:4-9 ) above): which explains what is meant by, and gives the interpretation of, "whoredoms". Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 34:16 . Leviticus 17:7 ; Leviticus 20:5 .Numbers 15:39 . Deuteronomy 31:16 ). App-92 .

land. Hebrew. 'eretz = earth. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Whole), App-6 , for the land of Israel. Rendered "land" in Hosea 4:1 . Compare Joel 1:2 , &c.

departing, &c. Compare Hosea 4:10 ; Hosea 7:8 ; Hosea 8:11 , Hosea 8:14 ; Hosea 10:1 ; Hosea 12:14 ; Hosea 13:9 .

from = from after.