Hosea 8

1 [Set] the trumpet to thy mouth, etc. The brevity of the language expresses the nearness of the danger: “To thy mouth the trumpet! Like an eagle to the house of Jehovah!” “The house of Jehovah” probably means His land and people.

4 but not by Me. That is, without consulting Me.

I knew it not. i.e., it was without my approval.

5. Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast [thee] off. Rather, as R.V., “He hath cast off thy calf, O Samaria.”

6. For from Israel [was] it also. Perhaps referring to ver. 4. Israel, who has set up kings and princes of his own, has also made this calf, which is no God.

7. It hath no stalk. Perhaps, as R.V., “He hath no standing corn.” There is no produce of his sowing; or if there is, it yields no meal; or if it does, he has no benefit from it.

9 a wild ass alone by himself. Like the “wild ass” in its untractableness and waywardness.

hath hired lovers. Sending presents to foreign nations to obtain their alliance.

they shall sorrow a little, etc. Rather, “they shall soon cease to elect kings and princes.” Luther has “they shall soon be weary of the burden of,” etc.

11 hath made many altars. This sin was expressly prohibited in Deut. xii. 13, 14, with the threat that those who committed it should be left to serve idols in a foreign land: see Deut. iv. 28.