Hosea 9
DOYLYHosea 9:10
- I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; &c.] Israel was no less pleasing to me at the first, than ripe grapes would be to a thirsty traveller in a dry wilderness: I esteemed your forefathers, those fruitful Patriarchs, as the most choice and firstripe figs; but their sinful progeny fell off and degenerated to idolatry, applying themselves to that shameful idol; and chose to themselves several abominable deities, according as they were affected to the parties that worshipped them. Bp. Hall.
“The wilderness” is rightly connected with “grapes,” and is not to be connected with “Israel.” Bp. Horsley.
— as the firstripe] The early figs are very desirable, and much esteemed in those countries. See Jer. xxiv. 2; Isa. xxviii. 4. Dr. Pocock.
— unto that shame;] See the note on Jer. iii. 24.
Hosea 9:11
- As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away &c.] Barrenness is threatened with peculiar propriety, as the judgment for the worship of the idol here mentioned. Bp. Horsley.
Hosea 9:13
- Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place:] The situation of Ephraim, and particularly of the royal city of Samaria, situate in that tribe, is as pleasant as that of Tyre: see Exek. xxvii. 3. W. Lowth.
Hosea 9:14
- Give them, O Lord: what wilt thou give? give them &c.] Give them, O Lord: what shall I intreat Thee to give them? even that, which they would think to be a judgment, miscarrying wombs, and dry breasts; that they may never bring forth or nourish up children to idolatry or slaughter. Bp. Hall.
Hosea 9:15
- All their wickedness is in Gilgal:] These words may seem a reply from God to the Prophet’s petition; shewing that his decreed judgments should not in any degree be taken off from them, by reason of their unworthiness and great provocations. Dr. Pocock.
— for there I hated them:] Rather, “therefore there I hated them;” He hated them there, because they sinned there: or “surely there I hated them.” The word “there” is emphatical. In that very place, where
Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.
Hosea 9:16
- — yet will I slay &c.] The scope of these words is to set forth the diminution of Israel, as to their glory, number, strength, and power, by a firm decree from God. This is according to the curse, anciently denounced against them in the law, that if they should become disobedient, and walk contrary to Him, then He would make them “be left few in number.” Lev. xxvi. 22; Deut. iv. 27; xxviii. 62. Dr. Pocock.
Hosea 9:17
- My God] As if He were only the God of the Prophet, who clave to Him, not of the people, who had by their disobedience departed from Him. Dr. Pocock.
— and they shall be wanderers among the nations.] And so they became, and so they continue to this day, “wandering among the nations,” so as scarce to be found out, having no settled place of their own, no where that they can be called a people, or are as such acknowledged. Dr. Pocock. See the notes on Deut. xxviii. 64, 65, 67.
Chap. X. ver. 1. Israel is an empty vine, &c.] Israel is a vine indeed, but a fruitless one; or, if he bear fruit, it is to himself, for the advancing of his own pro-
Israel is reproved and threatened for Before CHRIST about 740. bath divided their heart. behead. Chemarius.