Verse 1
1. Feedeth on wind Israel seeks sustenance where sustenance cannot be found (Hosea 8:7).
Followeth after See comment on “follow on” in Hosea 6:3.
East wind The Sirocco; the most destructive wind of Palestine, blowing from the desert, accompanied by clouds of sand, and bringing suffering and anguish, and sometimes even death, to man and beast. The figure adds to the preceding the idea of destructiveness. They run not only after that which is unsubstantial and empty, but even after that which is positively harmful (Hosea 5:13; Hosea 8:7).
Lies See on Hosea 11:12.
Desolation The result of the policy of lies. Another possible translation is violence acts of violence, which would be parallel with lies (compare Hosea 4:2-3). LXX. seems to have read a different word, though similar in appearance, “falsehood,” rendered in Hosea 10:4, “falsely.” “Lies and falsehood” would give good parallelism (Hosea 11:12). 1a is explained in 1b. The policy of “wind” and “lies” found expression in appeals to Assyria and Egypt (Hosea 5:13; Hosea 7:11-12).
Covenant See on Hosea 10:4.
Oil One of the chief products of Palestine (see on Joel 1:10); it was offered to Egypt as a bribe to secure her favor (Isaiah 57:9; Compare 2 Kings 15:19).
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