Hosea 3

1 beloved of [her] friend. The word “friend” is probably here used for husband; who loved her even in her unfaithfulness. Gomer (i. 3) is the woman indicated.

flagons of wine. Rather, “raisin-cakes” (“love-cakes of raisins,” R.V.): see notes on i. 3, and on Isa. xvi. 7.

2 fifteen pieces of silver. The price appears to have been paid half in money and half in corn; and thus the whole amount is equal to the value of a slave: see Exod. xxi. 32; Zech. xi. 12, 13. This suggests the degraded condition of Israel at the time when God interposes for his restoration.

3. Thou shalt abide. Lit., “Thou shalt sit,” i.e., “sit still”: lead a secluded life, not yet restored to full conjugal intercourse. So the clause, “Thou shalt not be for [another] man,” should be rendered, as R.V., “Thou shalt not be any man’s wife.” The words, “So will I also be for thee,” represent the husband also as waiting for the time of renewed conjugal and perfect union.

4 the children of Israel. Primarily, the Ten Tribes, although the prophet has in view the destiny of the whole united nation: see i. 11.

without an image. Or, as R.V., “without pillar,” the mark of a consecrated place.

without an ephod. See Exod. xxviii. 6, and note. [without] teraphim. See note on Gen. xxxi. 19. The whole verse describes a period during which the Israelites would have no political independence, no legitimate sacrifices or priest, and no idolatrous status or deity. Such was their state during some of their earlier captivities, and such it has been during the long period which has elapsed since the last destruction of the Temple. For more than eighteen centuries they have kept from idolatry.

5. David their king. A forecast of the Messiah and the acceptance of Him by Israel.