Hosea 8

Chap. VIII. Ver.1—14. Farther threatenings for impiety. —This chapter begins with threatening an invasion from the Assyrians, who should pounce on Israel like an eagle; so did Shalmaneser, (2 Kings 17:3-6). And wherefore this?—For their hypocrisy, iniquity, and idolatry; particularly the worshipping the golden calves of Dan and Bethel. The folly and unprofitableness of pursuing evil courses is then set forth in brief, but very emphatic terms. The labour of the wicked is vain, like sowing of the wind; and the fruit of it destructive as the whirlwind; like corn blighted in the bud, their toil produces no increase, or if it should have a little, their enemies should be treated by the nations (Assyria and Egypt) as the vile shreds of a useless broken vessel.

Nor have they the plea of ignorance—God had written to them the great things of his law, but they counted them strange. All their taste was for foreign gods and foreign altars; they shall go therefore where they shall see no others, and ‘sigh in vain for those of Zion.’ (See (2 Kings 16:10).) The last words predict the burning of Jerusalem, after reproving the house of Judah for their confidence in their own strength.

Notes on the verses

Chap. VIII. Ver. 1. To thy mouth.—See margin. “Publish as by the sound of trumpet, that which God will bring upon apostate Israel. Awaken them by the alarm of war.” Pool.—He shall come as an eagle—That is, the Assyrian shall come. Ver. 4. I knew it not.—Boothroyd, ‘‘Of whom I approved not.” Ver. 5. Thy calf, O Samaria, &c.—Jeroboam first set up two calves at Dan and Bethel. It is probable they were afterwards set up in other places. By the calf there is meant the chief idol in Samaria. Newcome, ‘‘Remove fur from thee (or cast off) thy calf, O Samaria!’’—Ere they attain to innocency?—Newcome, ‘‘Will they not endure innocency?” Ver. 7. It hath no stalk, &c.—Newcome, “The stalk hath no bud; it shall not yield flour,” &c. So Horsley. Ver. 9. Wild asses.—‘‘Some refer this to the king of Assyria, who is fierce, swift, and haughty as the wild ass, and all for himself. Others refer it to Israel thus: Thou wilt be disappointed in thy expectation from Ashur, a wild ass who seeks himself only. Others again refer this direct to Israel, who, wild, untamed, and burning in lust, (as is reported of the wild ass,) rageth far and wide for lovers, seeks everywhere for aid and succours.”——Alone.—‘‘Solitary or in a wilderness, this will well suit them in their captivity. Or it may mean in a lair fit to become a prey to the lion of Assyria; so it is reported that the lions make a prey of the wild asses in the wilderness, so will Assyria make Israel a prey.”—Pool.

Wild asses generally go in herds, but sometimes one strays from the rest.—Pococke. Ver. 11. Altars to sin.—Boothroyd, ‘‘For sin;’’ i.e. for idolatry.——Unto be for sin—That is, he shall be surfeited with the multitude of foreign [altars]. Ver. 13. They sacrifice flesh.—Newcome, “They sacrifice gifts appointed unto me, and eat flesh;” i.e. we conceive, they take the prime of all the sacrifices for themselves. Ver. 14. Buildeth temples—Namely, to idols.