Hosea 10:1-4

1, 2. Empty vine Or, emptying vine, that is, the vine that “pours forth its internal strength in abundance of growth and fruit”; therefore R.V., correctly, “luxuriant” (compare Hosea 9:10).

He bringeth forth fruit unto himself Instead of bringing forth fruit for his owner, Jehovah; R.V. makes it a relative clause and renders, “that putteth forth his fruit”; the vine is also fruitful.

Fruit Prosperity, wealth, and power. Probably a reference to the successes achieved under Jeroboam II (2 Kings 14:23 ff.). The greater the prosperity the more he (Israel) hath increased the [“multiplied his”] altars If interpreted in the light of other expressions of Hosea, the prophet seems to condemn here not the multiplication of altars as such; he condemns them rather on account of the corruption of the worship centering there (Hosea 2:5 ff; Hosea 8:4; Hosea 8:11). The more their prosperity increased the more forgetful of Jehovah and the more devoted to the Baals they became.

Goodness Better, margin R.V., “prosperity.” The increase of prosperity made it possible to beautify the ceremonial.

Images [“pillars”] Compare Hosea 3:4; see on Micah 5:13.

Their heart is divided Between the Baals and Jehovah. If this meaning of the verb, favored by the ancient versions, is accepted, the margin presents a more literal translation, “He hath divided their heart.” The meaning smooth, or, slippery, suggested in R.V. margin, is more probable, however; their heart was slippery, that is, fickle and insincere, in its devotion to Jehovah. But the time of reckoning has come.

Found faulty R.V., “guilty”; better still, “they shall be dealt with as guilty,” or “they shall atone for their guilt.” The first blow will reveal the inefficiency of their worship and Jehovah’s displeasure with the same.

He Jehovah; the pronoun is emphatic in Hebrew.

Break down [“smite”] their altars Literally, break the neck, a very forceful expression; the breaking of the neck means utter destruction.

Recent commentators call attention to the fact that Hosea 10:5 is a more natural continuation of Hosea 10:2 than Hosea 10:3-4; this and other minor reasons are urged against the originality of the two verses, but the arguments can hardly be regarded as conclusive. Hosea 10:3 may be understood as a confession wrung from the Israelites by the terrors of the calamity announced in 2b.

We have no king No rightful king; no king worthy of the name.

Feared Fear of Jehovah is the common Old Testament expression for piety; it means such reverence for Jehovah as will prompt obedience to his will; this was lacking when they set up their kings (Hosea 8:4).

What then should a king do to us R.V., literally and more satisfactorily, “and the king (the one we do have) what can he do for us?” in the hour of distress and calamity (compare Hosea 10:7; Hosea 10:15; Hosea 13:10). He is absolutely powerless.

Hosea 10:1 calls attention to religious apostasy; Hosea 10:4 describes some phases of the moral degeneracy.

Have spoken Or, R.V., “speak.”

Words Mere words, which come only from the lips (Isaiah 36:5; Isaiah 58:13), which R.V. interprets to mean “vain words”; but the prophet means more than that actual falsehoods (Isaiah 29:21).

Swearing falsely in making a covenant The two expressions should be kept apart, as margin R.V. suggests: “they swear falsely (see on Hosea 4:2), they make covenants.” Not covenants made in ordinary life, but the covenants with Assyria and Egypt; these are displeasing to Jehovah (Hosea 5:13; Hosea 7:11; Hosea 12:1).

Judgment Best understood of the punitive judgment of Jehovah. With 4b begins the announcement of the divine judgment. If this is the correct interpretation, the tenses must be understood as prophetic perfects, to be translated, with margin of R.V., “shall spring up.”

As hemlock From this passage and from Deuteronomy 29:18, where the word is translated “gall,” it appears that the Hebrew rosh refers to some poisonous plant, though it may be difficult to say which one; it is certainly not equivalent to the simple weed. Since the Hebrew word means also head it is thought by many to be a name for the poppy, of which several specimens are found in Palestine. Whatever it may be, it is always used in the Old Testament as a symbol of bitterness (Lamentations 3:19; Amos 6:12, etc.); so that the thought is that the judgment shall be as bitter as the hemlock (?) which grows in the furrows of the field.