Hosea 7

2 their own doings have beset them about. Their evil doings and their consequences compass them about.

4 until it be leavened. That is, only for a little while, until the dough is leavened. The Israelites would not brook more than the very slightest interruption to their licentiousness: see 2 Pet. ii. 14.

5 in the day of our king. A birthday or coronation-day, celebrated with riotous excess.

with bottles of wine, etc. Or, “the heat (or fever) of wine; [so that] he held out his hand with mockers.” The reference is to those who drink together, holding out their cups to each other.

6 like an oven. As no signs of the heat of an oven appear when the door is closed, so do the princes (see ver. 5) hide their machinations till they are ready to destroy their king.

7 all their kings are fallen. Zechariah was slain by Shallum, Shallum by Menahem, Pekahiah by Pekah, and Pekah by Hoshea; and of all of them it is recorded that they “did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.”

8 the people. Rather, “the peoples,” R.V., by alliances with the heathen.

Ephraim is a cake not turned. As a cake not turned in baking would be half bread and half dough, so their religion was a mixture and their character weak.

9 he knoweth it not. The sadness of moral declension is here indicated.

11 without heart. That is, without understanding: see note on iv. 11. As the dove in its alarm often rushes into the danger which it fears, so the Israelites foolishly court those foreign alliances which will ruin them.

12 as their congregation hath heard. By the public warnings of the prophets.

14 when they howled upon their beds. Or, as R.V., “But they howl,” etc. Their cry of fear and anguish, not that of penitence.

they assemble themselves. That is, to pray to their idols.

15 have bound. Or, “admonished them.”

16 rage. Or, “insolence.”