Hosea 5:13-15

13. The eyes of the two kingdoms could not remain closed forever to this condition of affairs, but they failed to seek help where alone it could be found. “It is the old but ever-repeated attempt to remove evil within by the use of external means instead of putting within the decaying frame new and sound powers; to rely upon the external cult and upon politics rather than upon religion and ethics” (Marti).

Sickness… wound Figures, not of corruption but of disaster resulting from corruption (Isaiah 1:5).

The Assyrian [“Assyria”] The great world empire having its seat between the Euphrates and the Tigris. Only a few years previous to this prophecy, in 745, it had entered upon the most flourishing period of its history, when Tiglath-pileser III came upon the throne.

And sent Who? As the text stands there can be but one answer, Ephraim. Comparing 13a with 13b, some supply Judah. To do this makes the line too long; therefore they omit the verb, so that the clauses read, “Then went Ephraim to Assyria, and Judah to King Jareb.” The character of Hebrew parallelism favors the insertion of the subject, but there are difficulties in the way of making it Judah (see next comment).

King Jareb The last word is apparently a form of the verb strive, contend; margin, R.V., “a king that should contend”; Hosea 10:6, makes it clear that it is an epithet of the king of Assyria. As such it has been variously rendered by translators, “combatant,” “combative,” “striver,” “pick-quarrel,” “fighting cock,” etc. Any one of these would make a suitable nickname for several Assyrian kings. Who is in the mind of Hosea? That the prophet is referring to an actual historical event cannot be doubted; that he is thinking of a recent event is quite likely. 2 Kings 15:19-20, mentions Menahem as sending a present to Pul of Assyria in order to win his support. This was in the period of anarchy following the death of Jeroboam II. The prophecy of Hosea comes from that period; it is therefore very probable that the reference is to this appeal. Pul is universally identified with Tiglath-pileser III, a fighter through and through. Judah was not involved in the event recorded in 2 Kings 15:19-20; so far as we know, no appeal was sent from Judah to Assyria until the time of Ahaz (2 Kings 16:7-8), about four years after Menahem’s appeal, and subsequent to the date of Hosea’s prophecy (see Introduction, p. 17). For this reason it is not likely that Judah should be supplied as the subject; it is better to leave the text as it is; if it is thought necessary to mention the subject, why not Israel? (Compare Hosea 5:3; Hosea 5:5; Hosea 5:9, etc.) The interpretation of Jareb suggested above is based upon the supposition that the present Hebrew text is correct. Other interpretations need but to be mentioned. Hommel, also following the present Hebrew text, translates “king of Aribi,” a district in northern Arabia; Winckler, with a slight change, “king of Yathrib-Medina,” that is, North Arabia; in view of Hosea 10:6, these interpretations are improbable. Maintaining that the reference is to the king of Assyria, some have suggested a slight alteration so as to read “the great king,” identical with the Assyrian sharru rabu found frequently in the inscriptions (compare Isaiah 36:4, where a different word is used). LXX. presupposes a still different reading, which may be intended for “the high king.” He is unable to render effective assistance since one mightier than he has caused the disease.

In Hosea 5:14 the fierceness of the judgment and the impotence of all human helpers are pictured once more. Jehovah likens himself to a lion who seizes his prey, tears it, carries it off, and no one has the power to prevent it (Hosea 13:7; Isaiah 5:29; Isaiah 31:4).

I Emphatic, to call attention to the fact that Jehovah himself is the lion.

Lion… young lion The Hebrew has several words for lion which, though originally having distinct meanings, are used interchangeably. The root meaning of the two words used here is uncertain; it is thought that the first calls attention to the lion’s roar, the second to his mane. Lions are found no longer in Palestine.

Hosea 5:15 is the continuation of 14; by some it is thought to be a later expansion of that verse, but this supposition is not necessary; it may well come from Hosea. As a lion withdraws into his den, so Jehovah, having executed judgment, will retire; this will make it impossible for the torn prey to find a deliverer or healer. Only when he is sought earnestly will he come forth from his hiding place.

My place The heavenly dwelling place of Jehovah (Micah 1:3).

Acknowledge their offense R.V., “have borne their guilt,” that is, have suffered the punishment for their guilt, LXX., “they become startled.” The ordinary rendering is to be preferred, though it might be intensified by translating, “become conscious of their guilt.”

Seek my face To plead for his return and favor. Jehovah knows that they will soon do it.

In their affliction Affliction will be a sign of the divine displeasure and a proof of the people’s inability to help themselves; therefore they will turn to Jehovah (Amos 8:12).

Seek me early The R.V. translation “earnestly” rests upon a misinterpretation of Hosea 6:1-3, which is taken wrongly as an expression of genuine repentance. The verb is derived from a noun, dawn, morning, and means to seek early, or soon; it is used here in a temporal sense. G.A. Smith reproduces the thought correctly, “they will soon enough seek me.”