Hosea 14

Hosea 14:1

Perish, because she hath stirred up her God to bitterness. It is not a curse or imprecation, but a prophecy of what should come to pass (Challoner) to Israel, in Assyria. Many such expressions occur, Psalm lxviii. 25., &c. (St. Jerome) — Sometimes they are the efforts of zeal, conformable to divine justice, Psalm cxl. 6. (Worthington) — Hebrew, “Samaria has sinned, or shall perish.” (Calmet) — Bitterness. Septuagint, “she hath resisted her God.” (Haydock)

Hosea 14:3

Words. In captivity, legal victims cannot be offered. (Calmet) — But a contrite heart is always acceptable, Psalm l. — Good. While engaged in sin, (Haydock) “we can offer thee nothing good.” — Calves: victims of praise. (St. Jerome) — Hebrew parim. Septuagint omit m, (Haydock) and render fruit. They are followed by the Arabic and Syriac as well as by the apostle, Hebrews xiii. 15. (Calmet) — We will offer what victims we please. (Estius) (Psalms lxix. 23., and lxv. 13.)

Hosea 14:4

Gods. The Assyrians, instead of protecting, oppress us; while Egypt, famous for horses, sits unconcerned. (Calmet) — But the source of all our evils are the idols, which we will follow no more. — In thee: adheres to the true faith in practice. (Haydock) — Israel was like an orphan during the captivity, Lamentations i. 1. (Calmet)

Hosea 14:5

Breaches, when Israel shall be converted, as some were to Christ, and many will be at the end of the world. (Worthington) — Hebrew, “their return.” Septuagint, “dwellings.” They shall be purified. — Freely. I have been forced to chastise, My heart dilates. (Calmet) — Septuagint, “I will love them manifestly.” Syriac, “accept their free offerings.” (Haydock)

Hosea 14:6

Dew. Israel has been like a plant dried up, chap. xiii. 15. — Libanus. The cedars were tall and bulky, being well rooted.

Hosea 14:7

Glory. Septuagint, “he shall be as fruitful as the olive-tree.” — Libanus, or incense. (Calmet) — The term has both meanings. (Haydock)

Hosea 14:8

His. This may refer to the tree, or to God. The captives shall return, and be happy. But in a more sublime sense it refers to the nations which shall embrace the gospel. — Libanus, or fragrant. Such wine was esteemed in which certain odoriferous herbs were infused, Canticle of Canticles vii. 2. (Calmet) — Libanus was also famous for generous wines. (Siconita 11.)

Hosea 14:9

Idol? or God will no more reproach them, as their conversion is sincere. — Make. Hebrew, “be to him like,” &c. (Calmet)

Hosea 14:10

Wise. This denotes the obscurity of the prophecy. (Theodoret) — No human wit can explain the prophets: yet the just shall understand as much as shall be necessary. (St. Jerome; St. Augustine, City of God xviii. 28.) (Worthington) — Only few will make good use of these admonitions, and share in the promises. (Calmet)

Hosea 14:15

CHAPTER XIV.