Hosea 6:1-3

THE PEOPLE’S RETURN TO JEHOVAH, Hosea 6:1-3.

The first three verses of chapter 6 form the natural continuation of Hosea 5:15, with which LXX. connects them by prefixing “saying.” This addition explains them as a mutual exhortation to return to Jehovah. While saying may have been added by the Greek translator, it embodies undoubtedly a correct interpretation. As expected, they will return, but without real, heartfelt repentance. There is not one expression of sorrow for wrongdoing, only anxiety to have distress and calamity removed. Therefore Jehovah is not impressed with the supplication (Hosea 6:4 ff.). The verses offer “but one symptom of the optimism of this light-hearted people, whom no discipline and no judgment can impress with the reality of their incurable decay.” Giesebrecht’s interpretation of the passage as a new exhortation by the prophet is less natural.

He will heal us The context shows that they desire healing, not from corruption and sin, but from the wounds inflicted by the punishment. Such desire is no indication of repentance.

Two days… third day The combination of a numeral with the next above is called ascending enumeration; it expresses an indefinite or unlimited number (G.-K., 134s); here an indefinite period but, since the numbers are small, a short period. The deliverance will come in the briefest time possible.

Revive… raise us up A hope of a resurrection, but evidently not a personal resurrection, and certainly not, as some commentators used to say, a direct prediction of the resurrection of Jesus. Rather a hope of national restoration from a period of calamity and distress. The allegory of the dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-10) is an expansion of this hope. That the verb does not always mean restoration to life from death is clearly shown by such passages as Joshua 5:8, where it is translated “become whole”; 2 Kings 8:9, “recover,” etc. The result of the divine interference will be that they live in his sight [“before him”] In his presence, with his eye resting upon them in loving and protecting care (Genesis 17:18; compare the opposite thought in Hosea 5:15; Isaiah 8:17).

Then shall we know Better R.V., “And let us know.” The lack of the knowledge of Jehovah (Hosea 4:6; compare Hosea 2:20), the secret of all their trouble, they seek to remove; again there is no confession of sin; no evidence that they seek to know him in order to live better, only that they may enjoy his gifts.

If we follow on Better, R.V., “let us follow on.” The same verb is translated in Hosea 2:7, “follow after”; it expresses the persistence with which they will seek Jehovah. If only the motive had been otherwise! They are confident that Jehovah will speedily respond. As surely as the morning dawns from day to day, so surely will Jehovah manifest himself.

Going forth That is, to heal, to bind up, to bless. LXX. suggests a different reading, requiring a different division and slight rearrangement of the consonantal text, “As soon as we seekhim we shall find him,” which fits admirably in the context and is accepted as original by several modern commentators.

As the rain Hebrews geshem (see on Joel 2:23); in contrast with the rain mentioned in the next clause it might be called winter rain. Not only as regularly but also as beneficially as this rain will Jehovah show himself.

As the latter and former rain unto the earth R.V., more accurately, “as the latter rain that watereth the earth.” On this rain also see on Joel 2:23.